THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8816, 18 May 1907, Page 3

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

(Continued from Thursday). From the plateau overlooking Horopiti a magnificent view is to ,oe had of the thousands of acres ot virgin forest and the snow-capped mountain peaks of Ruapehu and Rgarahoc. Ten miles of good road brings you to Makatote, the latter part of the distance being travelled through pumice country, the timber on which is principally birch, The pumice stone '.makes a very good road, and:' is easily maintained, one man with a shovel being found sufficient to keep many miles in repair. The Makatote viaduct that is being erected by Anderson, Ltd., of Christchurch, is iu a forward condition. Two other viaducts are being constructed iu this vicinity by co-opera-tive labour, one at Sulphur Creek and the other at Manganui-Oteau. A few miles beyond the big viaduct the wind-swept Waimarino plains, seven miles in extent, arc met witn. This is similar to the Karioi country, ]yuu°- covered in 'tussocks and a very little native grass The hush is entered again three miles south ox 1 Raurimu, the terminus ot the Wellington section of theumo. Kaurimu is closely associated with the celebrated spiral portion of the railway that has been so frequently described in the press of the colony. The five miles of formation present a very busy scene, the whole hillside appears to ho alive with workmen, and where they cannot he seen their presence is made known by the booming of explosives iu the tunnels and cuttings. Raurimu is quite a flourishing township, and it is a "ood sign to sec that the necessity has arisen for a school. A new and spacious building has been erected for the purpose, the fund being subscribed principally by the workmen. An education grant of £IOO has been authorised for lining and other improvements, provided that the rooms are made available for church services fre: of cost. During th- journey the writer met Mr P. Pu; noil, a member of the Wanganui Education Board, who was iu that locality to furnish a report of the conditions and require incuts of tho Makatote and Raurimu schools that have recently been brought under tho Board’s supervision. Tho number of children on the roll at tho latter school is 120 and the average attendance is 98. g La«t week a special train was run to the rail head to convey a party consisting of Mr Rouayne, General Manager, Mr Biixtou, Gwioral Traffic Manager, MrOoom, Cluet hi - giuccr, and other officials of the local district railway dopannent, who wore returning from a visit on business connected with their respective departments. Whatever may have been said in tho past of the tardy methods adopted in connection with the construction of tho lino, the reproach is no longer justified. Tho energy displayed by all connected with the work indicates that an honest attempt is being made to justify the promise of the Minister that tho work will be completed at an early date. _______