Cobb and Co.'s Mail Service.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4320, 4 November 1882, Page 2

Cobb and Co.'s Mail Service.

Messrs Yoang and Pope's coaching plant, horses, men, &c.,i arrived at Tauranga on Sunday overland from Opunake, after a journey of 12 days. On the 16th of October Mr Young waa still running; the mails between Waverley and Opunake, and it speaks well for the - energy and enterprise of that gentleman' and his partner, Mr Pope, that within a period of fourteen days the whole of their arrangements have been concluded and entire plant brought here —a distance of close upon 500 miles —and that everything should be in readiness to start the new Thames-Tauranga service by the 6th of November. The journey is an unprecedented one in the history of coaching in New Zealand, and is a favorable augury of what is to come. Tenders were called for a tri weekly mail service between the Thames and Tauranga on the 6th October, and in a few days Mr Young received notice that his tender had been accepted. On Wednesday the 18th inst., the whole of his plant, &c, consisting of five coaches, 50 horses and 11 men, were - ready to leave by special train. The train, comprising sixteen carriages and trucks, left the same day for Palmerston, and the following day the whole cavalcade set out for the scene of their future laborsC^ The^. equipment of the whole concertj^ was^ most complete. Sufficient horse feed was placed in the vehicles, and the men were supplied with axes, hammers, cooking utensils, tents, ropes, &c. — in fact, everything neoessary for camping out. The journey was a very trying one, for the weather was severe, and anew fell during some portions of the passage. Notwithstanding this, no serious mishap occurred with the exception of the loss of one valuable horse, which died on the road. The animal was the best in the team, and was valued at between £10 and £50. Mr Pope was in charge of the cavalcade, and' the manner in which he brought it through: is creditable to his skill and judgment-^ They reached Taiipo on Wednesday last,"MP Ohinemutu on Eriday, Oropi the followiag" day, and on Sunday came into town, where the horses were at once placed in Mr B.C. Jordan's paddock to remain till Wednesday next. The team is a really fine one, all the animals having been 1 selected at different times by Mr Young himself, and a better judge of horseflesh does not exist in the colony. The fact that they travelled without rest except at night time, a journey of about; 600 miles, and showed scarcely any sign of distress is a guarantee as to quality. The coaches are the best procurable, and., are capable of standing the- roughest journey, though perhaps rather heavy for the Bash Hoad in winter time. Thedrivers are a fine set of men well up to their work, most of them having had long experience in different parts of the colony. One coach and ten horses, were left at Ohinemutu. Sufficient plant will - be left here for all requirements, and the balance will be distributed between this and the Thames. Mr Young has already been over the Thames line and has made all arrangements for stoppages and changes. There will be no fewer than five stages, and it is intended, to. do the whole joarney—7s miles—in eleven or twelve hours including stoppages.—-Tau-, ranga Guardian.