TELEGRAMS. [BY ELECTRUC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.] THE THROUGH TRAIN

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 10 August 1908, Page 5

TELEGRAMS. [BY ELECTRUC TELEGRAPH. — COPYRIGHT.] THE THROUGH TRAIN

FIRST TRIP BETWEEN WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND. THE PARLIAMENTARY SPECIAL. [press association.] TAUMARUNUI, August 8. The Parliamentary special train to Auckland via Main Trunk line, carrying 205 passengers, left Wellington at 10.4 last night, nine minutes after the j advertised time of departure, and has i now covered 251 miles of the 426 mile journey between the two cities. That is the exact distance between Welling- ' ton and New Plymouth on the old route. So far the trip, which was commenced under the happiest auspices, has been free of difficulty by even the most trivial circumstance. The arrangements by the Government for the comfort of guests are beyond reproach, and taking everything into consideration the Minister of Railways must be congratulated upon the manner in which the journey is being made. It was, of course, out of the question ' to provide sleeping cars, but pillows, rugs, and foot-warmers were there in profusion. This morning general satisfaction was expressed, the great majority declaring they had slept well. The train made very good running through the night. Waiouru was reached just before daybreak, and then gradually the sun rose upon most beautiful scenery, and it was evident the party was to be favored with glorious weather. Ohakune was reached at 7.40 a.m., ten minutes behind the time-table. The interesting central section of bush forest, gullies, and viaducts begins at Rangatana, the station before Ohakune, and ends at Raurimu, the base of the spiral, and includes the magnificent bush forest scenery of Toanui, the Mangamiiateao and Makatote viaducts, views of Tongauro, Ruapehu, and Ngaruhoe, the Waimarino Plains, and the spiral. This section also contains the unballasted portion of the line, over which the train was conveyed by three liglib ballast engines. The whole of this section excited the liveliest interest, and tliere were repeated bursts of applause. Views of Ruapehu on both sides were perfect, the atmosphere being quite clean and limpid and the sun shining brightly. At Makatote viaGuct, the centre of which is 275 ft above the bottom of the gully, the train was stopped in the middle, and many walked across. The view here of the Makatote Gorge, covered in thick bush, with Makatote stream winding away along, with Ruapehu away to the right and to. the left in the distance snow-capped Eginont, gleaming like some white soracte in the sun, was superb. On the Waimarino Plains the most perfect view of the whole range of Ruapehu, Ngaruahoe, and Tongariro was obtained, not the slightest haze militating against the magnificent effect of the view of these noble mountains. ♦ The passage over the unballasted portion of the line was somewhat rocky, but the rest remarkably smooth. The spiral excited the gieatest interest. A word as to the commissariat arrangements is deserved. These were excellent, and called forth loud praise. The breakfast menu must have satisfied the most exacting & The Premier, speaking to a Press Association representative, expressed pleasure and satisfaction with the trip. "The new express carriages are mucb wider and larger than those hitherto used, and have proved superior to anything we have so far had on the New Zealand railways for running and great comfort. As to the scenery from the Makatote viaduct, the sight was an enchanting one, and impressed me with the feeling that when we are running, arrangements should be made to stop a few minutes on the viaduct, as is done at Niagara Falls, so that travellers may have an opportunity to see what is admittedly a unique and extraordinarily grand sight. Again, one was impressed, in passing over the North Island Main Trunk line, with the vast areas of native bush which in a few years must be available to carry a large number of people. At Horopito ! I was asked to perform the ceremoEy of cutting a blue ribbon placed across the line by some of the settlers, but as this was not an official opening of j the line, I thought it advisable that the blue ribbon slould be severed by the j engine without anticipating the formal opening of the line which will take place a few months hence. The strip was severed accordingly by the engine without formality." AUCKLAND, August 10. ' The train arrived in Auckland at 6.30, three-quarters of an hour behind schedule time. There was a great' crowd on the station to welcome the party, a band being in attendance. On behalf of Auckland citizens, the Mayor (Mr Myers) congratulated the Government on having at last completed this great national work. Sir Joseph Ward made a brief speech in reply.