BY RAIL TO NGATAPA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13865, 13 December 1915, Page 6

BY RAIL TO NGATAPA.

TO-DAY'S INSPECTION. After the congratulatory speeches upon the inauguration of the temporary paß-senger-ballast service had been delivered at Ngatapa to-day (da reported m. our first edition), the visitors were. then invited to partake of light refreshments provided by the District. Engineer and staff adjoining the "bach.'' . Good justice was done to the refreshments^ which were much appreciated, and the party re-boarded the train. Before leaving Ngatapa further cheers were accorded to tho District Engineer and his staff. . The special set off back for town at noon. On reaching the Repongaere station, about midway between Ngatapa and Patutahi, a stop was made m order to inspect the quarry that has been opened, up amongst the hills. A branch line of about a mile m extent junctions with the main line at this point. ' Mounting'a couple of trucks, the party was run m. to view the quarry. This, as has already been described m these columns, is an extensive limestone face, the material being of somewhat similar quality 'to that , at Gentle ' Annie, ,but of much greater quantity. Jn addition to this there is not nearly the amount of stripping and spoil to be removed as was the case with the material at the Borough quarry. An extensive face has been partly exposed, and the metal, while 'not of what would be termed firstclass quality for road-making, hf most suitable for the Department's extensive requirements for- ballasting and concrete work. A large and- efficient plant has been installed, the stone, being run down m trucks and tipped into' hoppers, passing through the crusher into bins, and thence to the trucks beneath. The inspection on so burning a: subject as metal proved most interesting. ■ Scrambling aboard the trucks again the party goon rejoined the train -waiting on the main line and the journey to town was resumed. The Gisborne station was reached at 1.15 p.m. after a most enjoyable outing, and one that could not help impressing our representative citizens with the importance, of the Gisborne^Southwards railway as a national undertaking. Before parting, Mr Bright tendered to the District Engineer the party's Jihanks for the pleasant outing. ». ■ . . •> Subsequently the following telegram was despatched to the Minister of Public Works:— H.M. Minister Public Works, WellingV>n, — The people of Poverty Bay < congratulate you heartily . upon having granted railway facilities on the Ngatapa section ot" the GisborueNapier railway. The inaugural run was accomplished this morning uilder most favorable conditions, a very representative 'gathering of citizens and settlers being present. We express the hope that the line may be pushed on with all speed. We believe results will fully demonstrate the wisdom of the undertaking^ ■