RAILWAY EXCURSION.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6055, 11 February 1885, Page 2

RAILWAY EXCURSION.

Fla, a place with very little about it to make presented an appearance when the excursionists arrived, equalled perhaps by the holiday aspect it yore on the occasion of the Volunteer encampment there last Easter. Yesterday's which had been organised to give the tomafolk a view of the country, and a better 4ea of the hills forming the Peninsula the. that afforded by a "view of Christohwch looking south," as well as t> improwthe income of the Bailway Department, vas not so largely patronised as was at i*st anticipated it would be, though there w<re about thirteen carriages comfortably filhd with holiday-seekers. In view of another journey to Timaru, the smaller nx«nber than those of previous days may bt accounted for. The Birdling'e Flat tarin left Christchurch punctually to time, aid reached its destination shortly before noon, its passengers disembarking and amusing themselves as best they could. Those who were provided with cooking apparatus were early busily engaged in preparing lunch. Some satisfied themselves at the temporary booths erected, others took seats in the coach or traps and were driven to Little River, while the remainder either walked to the township or sought feme in small patches of bush dotted about the hillsides in the vicinity. The Railway Department had provided against a want for water by sending six full 400-gallon tanks with the train. The pedestrians who journeyed by foot to the future terminus of the present line were rewarded to an extent for their, toil by observing the nature of the embankment over which the line is to pass. This embankment, which runs along the margin of Lake Foreyth, waayjommenced a good-time back, But its formation has been pushed forward more rapidly since the unemployed found work in the locality. The distance it covers is about six miles, and it is complete with the exception of a few gaps, some top dressing and pitching, which is being done a3 speedily as possible under the superintendence of Mr Locke. The road which crosses the line in several places will, when the work is finished, cross the line nowhere except near the Little Biver Hotel, the points of land being cut away to allow it to be kept on the inner side of the railway the whole distance. Bluestone, which is used for pitching, is obtained from the cuttinge, dynamite being U3ed for breaking the larger metal. The embankment appears to be substantial, and only requires a flood to prove whether or not it is as strong as it looks. At Little Eiver the pleasureseekers found all their wants supplied, and as the weather was quite as fine as could be wished, there was nothing to mar the pleasure of the day in the country. On Tuesday next an excursion train will run to the Waimakariri. Gorge via ILaiapoi and Sangiora, picking up passengers at these two stations at reduced ratee. The train-will leave Christchurch at 9.45 a.m., reaching Oxford East at 12.20, and Oxford West ten minutes later. Excursionists may await the return train at these places, which will be reached by 6 p.m. and 6.5 p.m. respectively, or they may go on as far as the Gorge ani spend three hours there, arriving at 1.15 p.m. and leaving at 4.30 p.m. On Thursday, 19th, another train will run to Timaru, a start being made at Lyttelton. On the routa paasengers will be picked up at Addington, Hornby, Templeton, Bolleston, Dunsandel, Bakaia, Ashburton, and Timaru. After the excursions mentioned, it is proposed to commence trips from the country districts into Christchurch, and Lyttelton, visitors having the option of staying at either place. At the latter special efforts will be made to provide amusements by runs round the harbor, Ac. The first of these excursions will, be from South,.the date of which will be published as soon as decided upon. A train from Timaru will leave about 9 a.m., and one will run in connection therewith from Waimate shortly after 7 ajn., taking on passengers at Makihikihi, St. Andrews, Ac., and another from FairHe Creek, Albury, and Pleasant Point. The >ass3neera from these places will be

second train will leave Timaru to accommodate passengers too late to find room in the lint one, and will stop at Temuka and Winchester, &c. Arrangements will be so made that passengers will reach Timaru again before 10 pan., and Waimate and Albury people a little later. The Southern trip will be followed by others until all the principal districts have had an excursion. - •'"''■•■:-' •- ■- - "V"

There will be another excursion to Timaru to-morrow, and intending passengers are reminded that tickets cannot; be purchased after t>day.