THE FIRST TRAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 197, 10 August 1908, Page 2

THE FIRST TRAIN.

i'TIOM WELLINGTON TO AUCKLAND THE LEGISLATORS' TWAIN. AN iNTEKESTINU JOUIiNEV. WONDEKfUL SIGHTS. By Telegraph,—l'ress Association. Taumarunui, Saturday. The Parliamentary special train to Auckland via the Alain Trunk line, carrying Wo passengers, left Welling- , ton at 10.4 last niglit, mile minutes al- ' ter Oiu advertised time of departure, 1 and now has covered 20l miles of the . 42G-mile journey .between the two cities, , that is, the exact distance between Wellington and New Plymouth on the old route. So far tne trip, which was commenced under the happiest allspices, lias bevn free oi even the most trivial circumstance.

The arrangements uy the (Jovernmont lor tile eumiort ui the guests are i>eyond lvproach. 'Hiking everything into consideration, the .Minister of Hailwsiyd must be congratulated upon the manner in which the journey is being made, it was, of course, out of the question to provide sleeping cars, but pillows, vugs, and lootwavmers were Uiere in prolusion. Tiiis morning general satisfaction was exposed by the great majority declaring tlivy had slep'

wtill. The train made VERY UOUU RUNNING through the niglit. Waiouru was reached just before daybreak. Then gradually the sun rose upon the most beautiful scenery. It was evident the party was to be favored with glorious weather. Oiiakune was reached at 7.40 a.m., ten minutes behind the time-table. Au interesting central section of bush forest, gullies and viaducts begins at Kangataua station. Kaurimu, the base of tile spiral, includes MAGNIFICENT HUSH I'OHEST SCENERY, Then come the Toanui, Manganui-o-te-ao, and the Makatote viaducts, with | views of Tongariro, Kuapehu, Ngaruahoe, and the Wainiarino Plains and the spiral. 'This section also contains an unballasted portion of the line over which the train was conveyed by tnree light ballast engines. The whole 01 this section uxcitcd the liveliest interest and repeated bursts of applause. The views of Ruapehu on both sides were perfect, the atmosphere being quite clear and limpid, and the suu shining brightly. * AT MAKATOTE VIADUCT,

the centre of which is 2571t above the bottom of the gully, the train was stopped in the middle. Many walked across. The view here of Makatote Gorge, covered in thick bush, with the Makatote stream winding away, along with Ruapehu away to the right, and to the left in the distance, the snow-capped Egmont gleaming like some white stalactite in the sun, was superb. 011 the Wainiarino Plains a most perfect view of the whole range of llnapehu and Ngarualioe and Tongariro' was obtained), not the slightest haze militating against the magnificent effect of these noble mountains. The passage over the urtba lasted portion of the line was Somewhat rocky. The rest was remarkably smooth. ' The spiral excited the greatest interest. A word as to the commissariat arrangemenU is desirable. These were excellent, and called forth loud praise. The breakfast menu must havfe satisfied the most exaetin'g gourmet.

THE i J BJSMUSII'B iMPKESSIONS. OUITING THE BIjUE RIBBON. Taiimarunui, Saturday. Tlie Premier granted t'lic I'ress Association representative an interview 'at Kaurimu upon his impression of tlie trip. "I am . very pleased," lie said,', "with the running of the first through train to Auckland. Notwithstanding the fact tiliat the unballasted portion of the line, where we had to be drawn by light engines for somu eight to twelve miles, had to be crossed very slowly, we shall be at Tauniarunui on time. All on board the train, from the remarks made to me, have, enjoyed the journey. .Most con.vortahle arrangements were made liv the l J ub]ie Works Department for conveying the t.rain over the unfinished portion of the line. They were exceedingly satisfactory. The new' express carriages are so much wider and larger than those hitherto used and have proved superior to anything we have so far had on the New Zealand railways for running and great conifo«t. Tlie stoppage of the train on the Makatote viaduct gave passengers an opportunity of seeing tilie finest sight in New Zealand.' The sight, would be hard to beat in the world, with the magnificent bush extending for miles, and due to tile left Wour.lt? ligmont, clear, distinct and thickly snow-clad, without a 'dark spot, appeared to rest upon the trees; oil the other hand, Kuapehu, also thickly snow-clad and gleaming spotlessly white. The sight was an enchanting one, and impressed luu with the feeling that when we are running, arrangements should lie made to stop a few minutes on the viaduct, as is done at Niagara Falls, eo that travellers may have an opportunity to see what is admittedly a unique and extraordinarily grand sight. Again, one was impressed, in passing over tjie North Island Wain Trunk line, with the vast areas of native bush which in a lew .years must be available to carry a large number of people. At Iloropito I was asked to perform tjio ceremony of cutting a blue ribbon placed across the line by some of tilie settlers, liut as this was.not an oilicial opening of the line, 1 thought it advisable that the blue ribbon should be severed by t'he engine without anticipating the formal opening of the line which will' take place a few months, lience. The strip was severed accordingly bv the engine without formality, but the" incident creates a vivid impression on the feelings of the people of that locality in connection with the event of the first through trains to Auckland traversing the iron way which links up the two ends of tlio Island, and is practical, evidence of their attachment to the outside world. I feel confident tlint when tlie North Island Alain Trunk line is opened it will become a much greater highway for passengers,than the most sanguine anticipated, and its operation for commercial purposes will certainly help to develop trade along the route of the line, as well as the two centres at its ends. I should think that it will materially increase Hie prosperity of New Zealand. I 'have received advice that an enterprising photographer at Cambridge has travelled to Tanmarunui for the purpose of taking a group of those on hoard the train, so I hope this memorable event will be recorded in the excellent pictorial papers of the colony. Auckland, Last Night. The train arrived in Auckland at C.30, three-quarters of an i.our behind schedule time. There was a great crowd on the station to welcome the party, a band being in. attendance. On behalf of Auckland citizens, the Mayor (Mr. | livers) congratulated the Government on toving at last completed this great national work. Siv Joseph Ward made a brief speech in reply. |