WESTLAND TRAMWAYS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 54, 13 January 1868, Page 4

WESTLAND TRAMWAYS.

(FROM THE “ HOKITIKA LEADER.”) THE HAU HAU TRAMWAY. Very different in its origin as well as in the nature of the country through which it passes is the Hau Hau Tramway from that we have just described. This tramway, which is splendidly constructed, consists of wooden rails laid in a similar way to those on the Hokitika and Greymouth line. It had its origin in the enterprise of three persons, hard working men, who laid down a line of wooden rails for about half a mile into the dense forest for the purpose of bringing firewood into Hokitika. In January, 1867, others associated with them and took possession of the line, which was then extended to the Hau Hau, or as it is more commonly called “ The Big Paddock,” a distance of three miles and a half from Hokitika, and was opened for traffic in the middle of last March. Subsequently the Company leased the tramway to Mr J. C. Kellock, who still works and has greatly repaired it. The starting point from Hokitika' is near the station belonging to the Hokitika and Greymouth Tramway Company, to whose line the Hau Hau Tramway runs at right angles. For some distance, on both sides of the line, what was only a short time ago covered with dense bush and lofty trees is now cleared, and is dotted with numerous habitations, some or which are neatly ornamented cottages, surrounded by pretty gardens. There are also stores and an hotelin fact the nucleus of an extensive town has sprung up at the foot of the tramway, which, should Westland continue prosperous, will, in itself, form no inconsiderable town. We may mention that, from its starting point, the tramway runs in a straight line to the Town Belt, where the first curve takes place. Proceeding onwards we pass through a narrow cutting through a shingle bank and then reach the Hall-way House. We are now in the dense forest, surrounded by gigantic trees, the spaces between which are filled up with tangled underwood, whilst the sides of the line are ornamented with several varieties of ferns, including the tree fern, which in New Zealand, attains to a large size. At the Half-way House, another horse is attached to the carriage, for we have to ascend a steep incline, which curves along the side of a hill, and then we come to another deep cutting, after passing which we emerge into more level ground. We were still in the forest, but observing smoke curling up, amidst the trees, we enquired, and found that a charcoal burner had there located himself, and was busily pursuing his avocation—in fact, on the return trip he sent his first consignment of charcoal into town, were it was pronounced to be of excellent quality. After another short run the train drew up on the plat-form at the Hau Hau—on one side of which are the stores and offices of the company, and on the other the Hau Hau Station Hotel, the host of which (Mr Duncan M’Lennan) gives a hearty welcome to all his visitors. Only a short distance from the station are the Hau Hau diggings, and you may see the tents of the miners scattered amongst the trees. There are also stores, a butcher’s shop, a blacksmith’s shop—in short, there is another small town springing up at this end of the line. There are three branch lines diverging from the main line, which are used for the purpose of bringing down firewood, timber, fascines, of which large quantities are brought into town. This tramway has also a very considerable passenger traffic, and takes -up large quantities of goods from Hokitika for the use of the miners on the Hau Hau and the Blue Spur diggings. Six horses, fine strong animals, are used in drawing the carriages and timber trucks, and there are stables at each end of the tramway for their accommodation. The lessee has the following employes in his service:—A clerk, a station-mas-ter, three drivers, and three plate-layers, besides a number of men engaged in cutting timber and firewood.