BY RAIL TO FAIRYLAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 38, 13 February 1913, Page 5

BY RAIL TO FAIRYLAND.

THE NATIONAL PARK AS A PICNIC GROUND. - “There are hundreds of people in this district, who, if asked where the National Park is, would say it was alongside Regan Street, or just across the Domain Suspension Bridge.” This was the essence of a remark made to a reporter of the “Stratford Evening Post” this morning by Mr C, D. Sole, who imparted the interesting information that'the Oddfellows may, in the near future, have another picnic to the National Park, and be conveyed there by train from Waipuku. Mr Sole stated that when Mr Kerries had visited the Egmont Club the other evening, he had approached the Minister in connection with the Oddfellows running a picnic on the Mount Egmont railway, and Mr Herries saw tffe advisability of using the line for that purpose, and said he would give it his favourable consideration on an official application being made. A letter has now gone forward, and Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., has promised to assist in tho matter. It will be remembered that some time ago the Public Works Department conveyed a private picnic party to the crushing site near the present terminus of the Mt. Egmont Railway. The gentlemen who were organising tho party were deluged with applications for tickets, and the fortunate ones who made the trip were delighted with the picnic ground. The question immediately arises, why should not tho National Park become Taranaki’s picnic ground? At the present time there are hundreds oT people in Taranaki who are too poor to hire a trap or motor and visit the Mountain houses. Excursion trains could be run from all parts*of Taranaki to Waipuku, from where, in instalments, the picnickers could be conveyed at trifling cost into the heart of our National Park. The chief

difficulty lies in the grade of the line. yWhen the Hon. W. H. Herries and J party visited the crushing site a few days ago, the engine, with but one carriage attached had difficulty in making headway. The trouble, however, lay in the fact that weeds were making the wheels slip. It is admittedly quite safe to take five or six carriages up the line as far as the crushing site. The distance from Waipuku to this site is nob great, and several trips could be made, so that

hundreds of excursionists could bo easily transported into Taranaki’s magnificent reserve. One has only to see this natural picnic ground to become an enthusiast. Open spaces are available in plenty, and all around is natural hush, heavy and luxuriant. A mountain stream gurgles among the boulders, and tho scented air vibrates with the music of the Tui and the song of the busy little of the bush. It isMifficult to imagine that a sum of, say, two shillings could transport one in an hour or so to this delightful fairyland. >