ON THE ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 55, 7 March 1927, Page 5

ON THE ROAD

RACING THE CLOCK

GREETINGS BY THE WAY

When the Royal train left Woodville on Saturday it had time to make up, and little prospect of doing so immediately. Word had come through of the obstruction of the line near Masterton, and that meant possibly more-time lost. Still there was an hour's stay at Masterton with not an. exceptionally heavy programme, and something might be done there. Quickly the wires were set to work and the fleet of motors was ordered to concentrate at Opaki. There ready and waiting the Royal Party found them. Meanwhile ■ the line had been, cleared; but- as "the cars were

available they were taken, and powerful motors cut out the distance on the 'clear road between Opaki and Masterton in record time. The Mayor of Masterton (Mr. T. Jordan) had come to Opaki to meet the Royal guests, and he

had his programme so well organised that it was taken without curtailment in much less than the scheduled time.

The chief town of the Wairarapa plains was for the time being the centre for all tlio surrouuding counties and boroughs. Its crowded streets appeared to hold all the people of the Wairarapa and to express all the Wairarapa enthusiasm. •■■'.'.

Two novel features were included iv the programme at this centre—the presentation of a number of early settlers, and the planting of a memorial oak. The Duke planted the Royal tree and received as a memento a silver trowel. But he gave more time to the pioneers. A long line there was of old people, men and women, many of them octogenarians, and all with at least sixty years' colonial experience. Two were shipmates S3 years ago. Their Royal Highnesses shook hands with all, and chatted for a few minutes with many. Later the members' of the Royal Party had an opportunity of judging the quality of the men and women who shared in the early settlement of the plains.

Some time had been caught up in Masterton, but there was still twenty minutes to be made good. The Locomotive Engineer for the North Island went into the engine and the train showed what speed could'be made to Cross Creek. At Woodvillo the big engine of the Passchendaclc model had been left behind; but tho Class A combined locomotive (decorated for the occasion) ate up the miles.. When she was uncoupled she had done,her share to keep tho timetable. Then came the Fall engines—four of them, spick and span, and efficient. With much puffing and toiling they hauled the Royal train to the Summit. •

And this was the Range though not the Road over which the first settlers of the Wairarapa rode (if they were lucky), or walked, carrying their supplies. Quito rightly-the remnant of pioneers had an honoured place on the

day of the Eoyal visit to the prosperous district which they first saw unsettled and uncleared.

Little time was spent in uncoupling the Fells at the Summit, and testing the brakes for the downward run. Then the Royal train began the last stage of the journey to the capital. A foretaste of Wellington's welcome was obtained long before the waters of the harbour came in sight. At crossings and stations in the Valley there were crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the train, and to wave and cheer. At the Petone crossing long lines of motors stood, waiting for the red coaches to go by.* Then at last the blue sunlit waters of the harbour came in sight. Wellington has long bewailed the fact that a beautiful city should have an unimpressive land;gate. Certainly the immediate entrance is far from beautiful with its mass of old'structures and straggling railway yards. But that is only at the southern end. If the

gate be considered as embracing the line from . Petone ■ to Wellington few cities have a more charming entrance. On such a perfect day as Saturday the view of the wide harbour could not fail to evoke the admiration of the Eoyal visitors. It was a wonderful journey down, with a wonderful setting for the end of the journey; but to the railwaymen responsible for the train the greatest event of the day was the arrival only one minute behind time. Resource and skill had mastered the difficulties which at one time threatened to delay the Eoyal arrival by almost half an hour.

CUSTODIANS OP THE TRAIN.

Before leaving the Eoyal coaches which have carried him over the North Island, the Duke sent for -Mr. 1 E. Casey, divisional superintendent, and Mr. J. F. Mackley, locomotive' engineer for the North Island, and presented each with a silver cigarette case embossed with the Eoyal Arms. His Royal Highness expressed his appreciation of the arrangements made for his train journey, and referred to some of the problems which railway builders have had to face—-such as the Eimutaka incline. "I think you have done marvellously," he said.

This is the second gift that Mr. Mackley has received from Eoyalty. He was a member of the 4th New Zealand Contingent sent to South Africa, and afterwards went to England as a member of the New Zealand Contingent for the coronation of King Edward VII., when he received the King's Coronation medal.