EXCURSION TRIP TO WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4943, 16 February 1895, Page 3

EXCURSION TRIP TO WELLINGTON.

A IIED-LETTER DAY.

" Early to bed and early torise" had ' evidently been the motto in the minds of the children of Masterton on Thursday eight, and parents generally had an ex<fl»mely anxious timethe following mornfor their little ones wero up with the, sun, aud in a great stato of excitement about their promised trip to Wellington. Soon after live o'clock on Friday morning, the streets of Masterton were lined, and with gaily dressed and happy looking * children, making their way to the Bailway Station from every possible direction. The morning was beautifully line, though a trifle cold, and the crowded cabs and busses, together with the hundreds walking lo the station, made a very lively scene. The densely packed platform, mado it appear as if some considerable time would elapse t before a settlement eonld be made, but the eicellent management of Mr Coubourne, the stationmaster.aml the guards, and the help afforded by Mr W. H. Jukson, headmaster, and the staff of fljfchers, soon had the five hundred children and some two hundred and eighty adults 011 board, and the train of twelve long carriages sent away with its lively freight a very little after tho ' proposed time. A large number of residents, who were unable to avail themselves of the opportunity of holiday making, were present to see their little ones safely away, aud all along the line early risers were on the look out for the JKsual spectacle. When a further contingent was taken 011 nt Kuripuni, the carriages were simply packed, aud the male adults, and also a great number of the young ladies, had perforce to take their stand on the platforms, which is not at any time a very pleasant position on a trip |lo Wellington. Howover, the inconveniences were gracefully put up with, for the comfort of tho women and children, and as a consolation more carriages were promised on the return journey. Mr Donne, the Traffic Manager, who was on the 1 train, was very conspieious in his kindness towards the children, and watched very closely the conduct, and the working of the excursion, with a view lo future improvements. Tho children behaved' remarkably well throughout the journey, and were not the least troublesome, as was generally expected would be the case. Mr Jackson had them well under eon--1 trol, and that geutlemau had au ex tremely lively timeof it, passing through the carriages, issuing instructions, and attending happily lo the thousand and one queries of the little 0110s. All the way along the line the various places of interest were pointed out. aud fully explained by the guardians to their ctees, and at times the perfect aya- ' hflfte of unanswerable questions asked bythe children were highly amusing. The Wairarapa Lake and the liimutaka tunnels were the particular points of interest, but the presence of lighted lamps in the latter greatly spoiled the elt'cct, although it was, perhaps, the safest plan with such a complement of little folks. * Two engines had been doing all the arduous work to Cross' Creek, where tho third was coupled ou, to drag the heavy train to the Summit. The train travelled at a funeral pace, and it was a very long time before the top of the hill was reached. Strange to say, the casts of sickness, which could only naturally bo expected when such a number were v making their lirst trip, were fortunately few and far between, aud an excellent view was obtained and enjoyed of the pretty scenery in the ravines and on the lulls along this portion of the line. The curying of such a lengthy train, with the hundreds of youug and beaming faces at the windows, was certainly a pretty aud interesting sight, All went merrily uutil the train readied Kaitoke, where some twenty niinitles wero allowed for refreshments, ifimrangcmcnls iu the saloon were not nt™ good, and the tremendous rush, which could only be expected, and which should, in auy case, have been properly managed and sufficiently catered for, was a thorough muddle, aud nut half the excursionists were able to ' procure anything, Mr> Jackson here again came to the rescue, and after considerable trouble, borrowed a wateringcan and a glass, and water being plentiful, ministered to the wants of the thirsty, in a verymuch-apprcciated maniier. The many stopping places, which usually makes the" journey so lengthy * and monotonous, were all passed at top speed, and at ten o'clock, the sea and the city were sighted. The expanse of water was a cause of great delight to the little ones who were now viewing it for the lirst time. A slight swell was on, and innocent little creatures could bo heard asking someone," why the water bumped so?" and many similar ques- * tions. When in full yiew of Wellington, they fairly gazed with astonishment, and when the train pulled up at Thonidon station, the crowd on the platform was bewildering. About half the excursionists got off at this end, and were soon lost to view. The remainder went on to To Aro, when the train was sdfe left in an empty condition, the '' viPtrs scattering all over tho city. The Hon. the Premier (Mr Seddon), Mr lionayne (General Manager), Mr Blair (chairman of the Education Board) and Mr Hogg, M.H.R., acted as guides to those who wore desirous of visiting the principal sights, and under their supervision were takcu through tho Government Buildings, the Museum, and . the House of Parliament. Iu tlio latter place the interest taken was considerable, and one little girl, who sat in the Governor's chair, was in a high state of ecstasy. A young lad (one of our future politicians, no doubt) was particularly anxious to know the exact scat in which Mr Hogg sat, and would not be satisfied until it was clearly pointed out by that gentleman. ' Although all the children had taken baskets of refreshments from their homes, at twelve o'clock they wercquitc ready for dinner, and those who were not visiting friends, gave the various dining saloons a lively time. The Trocadcro was the most popular restaurant,and in the large and well-decorated rooms, Wairarapa was largely rcpreseated. The proprietors reduced the ■ fare for the occasion, and this becoming known they certainly reaped the harvest. In the afternoon, a general scattering place, each and everyone having . sow here to go or something special to sec. The wharf was_ well patronised, and admittance was gained to the llitapeta and Rotomahana, the officers of 1 thdfboats showing the visitors everything of interest. Two boats were seen coming round the Heads, and the berthing procedure was eagerly watched. The children were particularly anxious not to get too close to the edge of the wharf, and the Wellington people smiled to view the cxtra-carcfulness of the country little ones. Tho Tram Way Company must have felt the difference, for their cars were erowdedall the afternoon with Wairarapa people, several traversing the whole length of the line time after time. Tho Switchback Raitway was another object of interest, and the circular ride created intense amuse, mcnt to the children. The proprietors here again reduced their prices for the benefit of the scholars, and did all in their power to thoroughly please the youngsters. Nearly all the adults mado their way to the Basin Reserve during the afternoon, and witnessed au interesting cricket match between the Fiji and Wellington cricket teams, Thwfctrange-looking Fijians, dressed inJpir native garb, without anything on their heads or feet, were placed in the field, and gave the crowd of spectators a fair insight into their v undoubted smartness in this department. They were all placed close up to the wickets, and stopped the ball on nearly evcryoccasion. Although the Wellington batsmen tried hard to get the ball awav, they seldom succeeded, for hit as hard as they liked, a Fijian was always in tho tight place, and their smartness in returning the ball, drew forth great applause. One black fellow, when wwliog, cones up to the Ticket back-,

wards, aud tlion sends the ball down at a tcrrilic speed. Some of the cricketers are accompanied by their wives, who sat ou the hank, and evinced much interest in the proceedings. They aro n lino, intellectual-looking race, the men especially, being splendidly built. Towards livo o'clock, the road to the Te Aro railway station presented a lively appearance, and the platform was blocked with friends anil relations of the children. The rush for seats when the train came alongside, was indescribable, and although there were no less than seventeen double carriages on, there seemed a bigger crush than ever, and seals lmd lo he made up on the floor for numerous little ones. At 5.1'), the train left the station with many "'good-byes," aud from thence to Thorn den, the sight was a pretty one, All along the route, the warehouse and oflico windows were blocked with people, and the hundreds of Handkerchiefs waving from the carriage windows were acknowledged in liko manner by the AVellington residents, who seemed quite amused at the unusualarrayof children in such holiday stylo. At Tlionulon another crowd was present, and after more hand-shaking and adieus, the city was left behind, and the occupants of the train settled down as best they could, the lucky ones on seats, some 011 the floor, ami a great number standing in tho carriages and on the platforms, On reaching Jiaitoke, a little better arrangement was noticeable, and every, one seemed satislied, although the high charges barred many from getting any I refreshment whatever. The journey home was a quiet one, although the boys 011 the platform were ve:y merry, singing snatches of popular songs, and having great fun to themselves. On passing the principal stations, along the line, cheers were given by the merry party, and the platforms were generally thronged with residents anxious to see the crowd of picnickers. At 0.-1-5 the train eased down at Ik Masterton station, and here one of the busiest few minutes the town has ever seen ensued. Several hundred persons were present to meet their families aud friends, and by some unaccountable reason, just as the train came alongside, the gaslights on the station were extinguished, and the scene can belter be imaginedthan described. Everyone was looking for someone else, and finding them in the crush was out of the question, The great number of cjibs, busses, and brakes were filled in no time; in fact every available vehicle in Masterton seemed (0 be al (lie station. Hundreds had to walk to town, and the scene down Lincoln Road was, indeed, an unusual one, Everyone who joined in the excursion thoroughly enjoyed the day's outing, and it will long remain in the minds of the children, as a red-letter day in their history.