NEW PLYMOUTH'S ENEMY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14014, 20 September 1909, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH'S ENEMY.

THE BdAIN TRUNK LINE. SOMII OBSERVATIONS. "This line has killed New Plymouth," observed a commercial traveller to a Taranaki Herald reporter on the Main Trunk express a few days ago. Well, although tho establishment of this connection oetweeu Wellington and Auckland has not meant prosperity to New Pljmouth it is going a little far to assert tiliat it lias been anything like a death blow. But the most optimistic cannot doubt its harm. Whether the present state of affairs will be permanent or not is hard to say ; certainly the present outlook for the district with the enrly completion of the harbour does not augur so. A SCENIC STANDPOINT. lv order to see the country through which the line passes one undoubtedly should take the down trip from Auckland and not the trip from south. This for the reasou that the finest scenery is met with on the north of Taihape and as this town is not reached until 6.43 p.m. on the up journey, it will be seen that the best part of the journey is lost m darkness. Coming from Auckland, however, the passenger has an opportunity to vieu some magnificertt bush scenery and landscape. Auckland is left at 9.1j p.m. and after a rest tho early morninu opens well, for the sightseer is early arise to stn; the Spiral. This is a most interesting piece of engineering, wnicn as the showman says "must be seen to be appreciated." When the Waimarino Plains are reached another treat i» in store, for on a clear day the snowclad peaks of Ngauruhoe and Tonganro standing against the dark bush in the distance, afford a pleasing panorama. And so on for many miles aw uiettv scenes passed through only to bo surpassed a few miW further on by finer scenes. Undoubtedly the southern trij> is preferable to tho northern. THE COUNTRY'S OUTLOOK. But the opening of stretches of beautiful scenery was not the purpose of the opening of this railwa.v. Its importance attaches to its having pierced the wilds for the purpose of introducing settlement and the opening un of country which will in time considerably augment the prosperity of the dominion. To thn casual observer, who orra?ionally glances up from his book as his train speeds on. there appears for the major Dart of the route to be endless stretches of bush which should be the means of fostering a timber industry of large dimensions. v One who is interested in this industry told our representative that the present outlook was very bright along the line, and that what slump there had been was gradually fading away, and that the next few months should see the industry on a solid footing- B«t although these stretches of bush will tnke many years to be devoured there is strong feeling in the district that some parts of the cleared country should be replanted in order to insure against the absolute destruction of the industry, and the passing away of townships which depend on the industry for their existence. The pressman asked one gentleman what Ohakune's prospects as ar ising town were and the reply was to the erect that it would die when the timber worked out. The daylight savins system has been adopted at nearly all the mills along the line. Throughout the year the clocks and watches are an hour faster than the 'correct time, and consequently the workers make an early start, and in the summer time have several hours daylight after the working day is over. The system is said to be very popular. x The cow. is not frequently met with on the land along- the line, principally owing to the country not been, sufficiently cleared"' 1 for -accommodating stock, but plenty of sheep are to be seen. Most of the country passed through appears more suitable for sheep than stock, and it appears to have experienced a good lambing. - ACRES OF GOOD LAND aro to be found In parts, some of which is equal to the best obtainable in the North Island. But this is the drawback: it is locked up. Much of it is held by Natives who simply "sit tight," with the result that the full benefit cannot be derived from it. "Out yonder," said a Taihape resident with a comprehensive wave of the hand," is some of the finest land in the dominion," but he pointed out to our p*porter that it suffered by beiug toekd up. h ANTJ^TO-DATE TOWN. A town which has forged ahead since the opening of the line and which continues to grow is Taihape. A stroll around this town would be a revelation to most people, Just as it was to the writer. Taihape is well laid out, The main portion of it Is on tho flat, while a surrounding hill affords a suitable residential quarter. ' Both the residences and the business places are very^ up-to-date and a fine post office, with a very tuneful set of chunes, lends the place a city-like air. It is on the border of the dry country, and the aceommoda- I tion obtainable is of a high standard. At present a glance over the town will show a number of premises in course of erection, which is certainly a good sign for the district. It appears to have the most hopeful outlook of the rising towns along the line, and its people 'are very optimistic as to its future. The route is being well patronised,' for on the night that the writer journeyed north the train was very crowded. After passing Taurnarunm every seat in the train both first and second class was occupied, while two extra sleepers were attached. It ia proposed to make a number of alterations to the train whioh will provide more accommodation in the future than has been available in the past. Although the country is well worth seeing the journey is a very tiresome one and it is not at all likely that Taranaki people, ax any rate those in North Taranaki, will use the route very much, as it is a very roundabout wny of reaching Auckland. Perhaps it wiU be more frequently negotiated . as a pleasure trip than as a convenient channel through which to go north.