A VISIT TO THE WAIRARAPA BY RAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5759, 13 September 1879, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE WAIRARAPA BY RAIL.

{Communicated.) It will surely not be deemed profane to take the words “by faith ye shall remove mountains” as a motto for the notes about to be embodied in the following description of a journey from Wellington to. the Wairarapa by rail. However, in these utilitarian times, mountains cannot be moved without pick and shovel, in addition to faith, or what may be mote practically designated confidence and courage. To have pierced the mountains intervening between the valleys of the Upper Hutt aud Wairarapa is a work, or feat that surpasses ordinary calculations. To the inexperts it may well appear marvellous ; and if such a line could be adopted, instead of the one, as was by • some suggested, by way of a level coast, there must have been in the latter proposal difficulties which do not present themselves to ordinary observation. It is not the object of this paper to criticise or question the advantages or disadvantages of either of the two lines, but merely to draw a picture of the route adopted as far as the words of the writer can paint the scenery aud engineering skill displayed, in the former by nature, and in the latter by art. To glide more dr less swiftly along the sinuous western 'shore of the spacious harbor of Weliington, and skirting the fruitful valley of the Hutt, along the banks of the river whose

dreaded occasional torrents have caused devastation that is painful to behold, a higher plain is reached, v,-- o-.- beauty and picturesquene.-s have been [availed by the axe and the saw, yet sufficient remains, to the right and to the left along the slopes of hills and gullies, to charm the passing gaze. Ascending from these plains by a lapidly-elevating gradient, the train is suddenly plunged into a dark tunnel, leaving at the moment a lovely view of reaches of river and valley, amidst undulating hills clad with broken aud varied forest. Emerging from the tunnel of some forty seconds duration, broken and enlarged scenery appears, increasing in magnitude as the iron horse whirls along the curved and sinuous course, required by ever-occurring spurs and ravines of the mountains, one moment elevated above the rippling streams, perceived by glimpses, sometimes all but vertically, from far above the giant forest trees, fitting nooks for the solitary trout that is to be, while on the other band flanks of folding mountains rise in majestic phalanx varied by light and shade aud cloud-like elevations till the mind is led to measure the vastueas of the world itself under the impression produced by a mass, whose magnitude by comparison is but a fraction or atom of the globe we inhabit. -The debouch from the mouutains into the Wairarapa Valley or plains is not less interesting to those who make it for the first time. The mirror-like lake of considerable extent first meets the eye, beyond which are seen the famed pasture down- backed by peaked hills in ttie extreme distance, while along the level plain, through which the train now spins, are cultivated fields studded with villas and homesteads, showing tb's progress of industry enterprise. The own of Featherston, the terminus of: the line so far, presents a gratifying appearance. Emulative buildings and tasteful efforts are not wanting to show progress and advancement, altogether a pleasing finish to a journey that might he. undertaken with not a little trepidation. _ _ As regards the engineering skill displayed by cuttings, embankments, and tunnels, the writer has little to say further than to admire and wonder at the courage and confidence which must have been brought to the fore ere the decision could have been arrived at to carry out such a work, and when it is considered that all was—in the first conceptiondense bush, what a resolution it must have required to project the undertaking. The slope or steeper gradient on the Wairarapa side, after the summit is reached, requires a different manipulation from the ordinary modes. The grip, by the engine, on a central rail, together with powerful breaks, are required iu the. descent : while to ascend,,the powerful engine—which might be contrasted as an illustration, in the comparison between the ordinary engines as an elephant to a horse. To stand near the massive machine, and see it belch forth from its immense funnel a mass of smoke and fire in its throes of efforts, can only be compared to a miniature volcano; and as it happens at times when rain or frost affects the rails, the wheels fail to bite, there is then a rapid whirl of wheel and beat of piston, like an accelerated and rapidly beating pulse of a nervous animal under unusual excitement.

Altogether, the trip is of the most interesting and exciting nature, aud well worth the undertaking. . W. B.