RAILWAY EXCURDION TO THE MOUNT

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 3 October 1913, Page 3

RAILWAY EXCURDION TO THE MOUNT

A PLEASANT OUTING.

The first excursion in celebration of the opening of the section of railway between To Puke and the Mount, organise;! by Mr W. A. Bennett, representing the Te Puke Road Board, and Mr C. ! McNaughton, representing the Farmers' Union, took place on Thursday, and passed oil most successfully. The project was only mooted at the meetings of the alnve bodies on Saturday last, so that the time was not only very short for the Public Works officials to arrange matters, but also for the general public to become aware of what arrangements had been come to. Beyond announcing in our Tuesday's issue that an excursion train would run, we were unable to give any particulars, for it was not until Wednesday that Mr Hannah was able to say definitely what had been decided on. It then appeared that the Department was only able to find rolling stock to convey about 11)0 passengers. anil that it was preferable that the excursion be limited to school-children, with a sprinkling of adults to keep them in order, and that the train would leave at 9 a.m. Telephonic communication not being established with the outer districts, it was'of course, impossible to let country residents know of the arrangement come to, and consequently a few were disappointed to find, when they arrived in town, that the train had departed. However, they can derive consolation from the fact that a second free excursion, open to the public, will take place in a fortnight or three weeks, when the line will be officially opened.

Punctually at nine o'clock, the train, consisting of two carriages and a couple of trucks fitted up with seats, drew up in the station yard, the excursionists, the majority of whom were school children, clambered 0:1 board. The weather was line, although a bitterly cold wind was blowing. Mr Hannah was present to supervise the departure of the train, which stopped at Papamoa and Beach road to pic'< up additional passengers ami which arrived at its destination after a run of three-quarters oi an hour. On arrival at the Mount a tally was taken of the excursionists,'when it was found that 110 had made the trip. Tno visitors then dispersed in all directions, and Messrs Bennett and MeNatighton, with a few assist mts. set to work to procure lioiU's and light fires for the supply of hot water to all and sundry, and at 12 o'clock picnic parties could he seen dotted about in sheltered spots enjo\ing heir mid-day meal. A fovv who had no women folk to look after them, were taken pity oa by Mesdainrs Bennett ami McNaughton. who h:ul evidently come prepared to eater for a small army, and who dispensed hospitality with a lavish hand.

At .*> o'clock the train left, homeward bound, and reached Te Puke without the slightest mishap of any nature having occurred. All who participated in the trip thoroughly enjoyed their outing, which was made the more pleasant by (he kindly consideratioa of the oilieiak