IN THE TRAIN

Southland Times, Issue 23930, 23 September 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

IN THE TRAIN

—PRIZE—

Toot! goes the whistle as the electric train runs smoothly out of Lambton Station in Wellington. She is on her way to Johnsonville. What a comfortable journey it is! We lean back on the nice soft seats, while the train goes quietly along. There is no smoky engine, no bumps, and the driver just presses a button and some levers and away we go! Before the train reaches its first stopping place, we go through five tunnels, but we can easily read our papers and books as the carriages ali have bright electric lights. Our first stop is Ngaio, and as we leave it we climb uphill and have a beautiful view of Wellington harbour ana the Awatea leaving for Sydney. What a beautiful sight it is to see this boat steaming out to sea. Now there are plenty of bends and curves, and we go on uphill to reach our next station, Awaru. Looking out of the window now we see nice green paddocks and pass more bush-clad hills until we reach Simla Crescent. The train then hurries on to Khandallah, and a few minutes later we reach Johnsonville, the end of our journey. It is a lovely ride and not easily forgotten. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Margaret Woods (11), South Hillend R.D. Winton.

—PRIZE—

Jack, aged six, and Mary, his sister, who was one year younger, lived in the country. They were very excited because it was break-up day. with six long weeks of holiday, and mother and father had promised them a holiday with their aunt and uncle who lived in Auckland, 400 miles away. They had always travelled by motor before, but this time they were going in the train. No wonder they were excited. Nearly all the packing was finished, so they willingly went early to bed, and awakened with the larks the next morning. Busy little hands helped mother, and at last they were on their way to the station. On arriving there they had to wait a few moments for the express, which came in with great speed. How eagerly they got on the train. Yes, they were on their way at last, and how lovely it was to sit by the window, and look out at the beautiful green fields, and see the sheep and cattle grazing. By and by they passed over a very long bridge, and later on through several tunnels. It was all so new and interesting that they didn’t miss anything. Soon the express began to climb the spiral and they could see the ■engine going round the bends. This part of the journey was especially interesting. Presently they began to feel hungry, so they had some fruit which they had brought with them, and later on some milk and sandwiches. At last, after many hours in the train, they arrived safely at their destination, pleased to see their aunt and uncle, who had come to welcome them, and although tired, ever so happy with their first train journey. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Victor G. C. Jones, V.A.C. (9), 71 Conon street.

—PRIZE—

What a hustle and bustle to get down to the station in time to catch the excursion train, which was to take us for our Sunday School picnic. After arriving at the station it took us quite a while to find our train, as there were several other excursions that day. After packing otir bags on the rack, and looking round for our seats, we had to wait for nearly an hour for another train to come in with passengers for our picnic. At last the guard blows his whistle, and waves his flag, and off we go. How nice it is sitting in the train gazing at the sheep and cattle in the fields, and farmers working on their farms. Then we come to a river and I hold on tight. It seems queer sitting there crossing the river, and I can’t see the rails on the bridge. What a relief when we are over. And then the bush-clad hills come into view. I can pick out the saw mills in the distance. “Tickets, please,” calls the guard, and after a frantic search I found mine. Then I settled down to see my fellow passengers. There’s Tommy Fisher down at the other end of the carriage. I wonder if he has his bathing suit with him? The train rushes along and one scene follows another. It is like a big book with every page joined together. Here we are at our destination. Back again, all aboard, and we are off home after a great day out. How different everything seems as we roll along. The day is drawing to a close, and the shadows creep in. We are quite content to be back listening to the rattle of an iron horse. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Colin Gibson, A.C. (10), 60 Robertson street.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— We sat in the train waiting for it to start. We were going to Gore. At last the guard banged all the gates shut, waved his flag, blew his whistle, and we began to move off. We moved slowly past the Catholic chutch and Fleming’s flower mill, -and, after passing Elies road station, we gathered speed. Soon we were travelling very fast. The farms and

houses seemed to whizz past. A boy, who was sitting by me, offered me a comic to look at, but I was more interested in the countryside and kept my eyes gazing out of the window. I saw some , lovely little lambs trying to run with their mothers as they ran away from the train.

At Mataura a lady came to see me and gave me an ice-cream. I

enjoyed this very much, as it was very hot and dusty in the train. After we left Mataura it seemed no time before we were in Gore, and I was really sorry to leave the train. —3 marks to Cousin Wallace Baillie V.A.C., (10), 216 Nelson street.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED—

I was going to Dunedin and had just settled into my seat when the train began to move off. I sat close to the window, watching the paddocks, houses and farms fly past. The telegraph poles seemed to be very close together, they were passing so quickly. We stopped at some of the stations where persons were leaving and catching the train. We stopped at Milton. I had a glass of milk and a bun. It was lovely eating as the train was rushing on. The guard came through many times and punched holes in my ticket. I was beginning to feel very sleepy, when we suddenly rushed into a dark tunnel. I was a little scared but the lights were on so we

could see quite well. Soon we were out in the fresh air and in a few minutes we were pulling into Dunedin station. —3 marks to Cousin Douglas 'Raillie (9), 216 Nelson street.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— One day we went in the train to Bluff. I sat still, listening to the wheels saying, “Off to Bluff. Off to Bluff. Off to Bluff.” As we passed by Pleasure Bay I saw some children bathing. Down by Greenhills a motor-car was trying to keep up with the train. I saw the big tower of the Awarua wireless station and the children’s health camp. At Ocean Beach I saw some men busy loading a truck with frozen mutton. As we turned the bend I could see the Bluff wharf. There, were some big boats in. Then the guard came through the train and took half our tickets, and in a few seconds we were at Bluff.

—3 marks to Cousin Heather Baillie (7), 216 Nelson street.