THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8814, 16 May 1907, Page 3

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

To those whose personal knowledge if the Main Trunk line does not expend beyond Taibape a short description of the outlying country between that terminus and Raurimu, the northern extremity of the Wellington section of the works, may be of interest. The line lias bomi practicilly completed for a considerable listancc beyond Taihapo for some time, although the Railway Department lias not thought it advisable to run a regular train service beyond the terminus. Passengers are permitted to ride—at their own risk—oti the service and material trains that make several trips to the rail head every day. Those who wish to roach townships beyond Ohakune in one day may join tbo workmen’s train that loaves Taihapo about half past four in tiro morning. This train is provided with one carriage only, which is quite inadequate to accommodate the number of passengers whoso occupation and business compels them to make such an early start. It is really surprising to find so many persons travelling at that hour, especially when two-thirds of tho number have to rido in open trucks; an experience that at this time of the year makes one appreciate the comforts of travelling on the lines that are properly equipped, imperfect as they may ho. You arc nob asked for any faro, and you expect no special consideration. Tne first portion of the journey is made in tho dark, during which the future stations of Mataroa and Tauraugarero are passed. The borders ■if tho Muromuto plains are reached about daybreak, and a few miles further a stop is made at the Waiouru junction, this being the point whore the coach road from Tokaanu meets the railway line. In the vicinity of Waiouru some very large cuttings and fillings have to bo An ado in order to got an easy grade down to the

level of tho plains. Tho formation of tins portion of the lino is not completed and in order to allow the work ahead to he pushed on a deviation has been made round tho hillside, joining the main line a few miles further on. It is here that some idea of the

hardships of the back-blocker through the impassable state of the roads can be formed. Tons of chaff and oats and other merchandise are lying at 'Waiouru waiting to be carried on to Ohakuno and places beyond. After last week’s heavy rain the teamsters have had to give up altogether. The cost of carting has put a prohibitive price on produce, £i a ton being the charge for carrying goods seventeen miles, and it is well earned money. Tins difficulty will now be overcome by means of the railway, the goods will be carried on to the rail head at Raugitaua where a good metal road runs past the station yard. This will be a great boon to the settlors this winter, who, in former years, were forced to lay in a stock of provisions before the wetweather set in.

Raugitaua is situated about four miles south of Ohakune, and to judge by the large area laid off for the station, it is expected to become an important place. Business and milling sites have already been secured and a large grain store is now in course of erection. On reaching the township of Ohakune, which is about a mile from the railway line, the visitor gets a good idea of what a rough bush township is like. No particular style of architecture lias been followed, eacli newcomer adopting whatever design suits his business and pocket best. Nearly every branch of business is represented and other new shops are being built in the mam street. Government will soon offer a number of town sections at the railway station for sale and investors are much exercised to know which will become the main business centre. Some very high prices are being realised for sections in the present township, one section having changed hands recently at a price equal to £3500 an acre. Leaving the railway line at this point a good metalled road connects with Raetihi, eight miles away, most of the intervening country being in its natural state of heavy bash. This laud is mostly owned by the natives and the milling rights are being eagerly sought after by sawmillers. This forest being within easy distance of the railway and heavily timbered, becomes a valuable asset to the district. The royalties are estimated to be worth from £ls to £2O an acre, the most valuable crop that will probably ever be grown on it. A very large' number of natives have interests in the laud, consequently their areas are'small, and in order to get a proper leaso the prospective millers have to obtain all the signatures of the interested parties. This requires considerable patience and a lot of money, as the natives have learned the market value of their signatures to these leases. It is not d all difficult to obtain the first 50 or 100 names at the outlay of a few shillings, thou the price is put up and it has been known for tho last name to cost over a thousand pounds, the lessee being compelled either to pay tho price demanded or forfeit the money already spent. The. township of Raetihi has got past its “initial stages of formation, indeed, the townspeople are showing tho way to many older places in the way of conveniences. The main street has a number of commodious business houses and will shortly be illuminated at night by .street lamps, the posts for which are now in course of erection. Although tho town is off the railway line there can he no doubt that it will he an important place in the future. Large tracts of country that are not touched by the railway, must make this their centre.

At the present time the place is surrounded by native and Crown lands that have not yet been thrown open for settlement. The continuation of the Ohakuue- —Raetihi road takes yon’ to Pipiriki, 17 miles distant, on the Wanganui river. This road is impassable in winter; £2O a ton being the ruling price for cartiung last winter. The nearest railway station to Raetihi will bo Horopito, seven miles north of Ohakuue, which is reached by a road well metalled with the exception of about two miles. Following the Main Trunk line from Ohakuue the metalled road gradually ascends for seven miles towards Horopito and passes through some magnificent sawmillmg ‘ country. Several millers from Hawke’s Bay side are contemplating shifting their plant to this locality. (To be continued.)