EXCURSION TO WAIHAO DOWNS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3566, 5 March 1886, Page 3

EXCURSION TO WAIHAO DOWNS.

9 The excursion to Waihao Down?, which hid been looked forward to with pleasuro by our townspeople, took place yesterday, and proved a thorough success. Shortly before the ho'ir of two o'clock m the afternoon many of the public begnn to wend their way m the direction of the Btation, and soon were seated m the carriages waiting for them, and by the time of starting there must have been fully two hundred excursionists m the train. The run to the Downs proved a very pleasant one, and the various Bights on the way were much enjoyed. After passing the Saltwater Creek the first of the harvest fields came m sight, and m them could be seen the grain m stook and stack, and on coming to the Pareora riverbed a number of threshing mills wero hard at work. The Pareora river, which at most times is composed of a number of strong streams of water, had yesterday but one narrow one trickling over its shingly bed. The small but thriving township of St. Andrews was the first station the train stopped at after leaving Timaru, and where it was delayed a few minutes to allow the up Express train to pass. But very few people from that part of the district eeemed inclined to spend the afternoon at the Downs. The cause of this is easy to bo found for harvesting operations are now occupying the sole attention of our farmers. Steaming from St. Andrews the train sped on its way south, m turn passing Otaio and Makikihi, and on both sides of the lino are wheat and oat crops gome of the latter being yet standing. Tho Otaio river— one which possibly riseß and full* roorp rapidly than any other iv South Canterbury — is crossed soon after leaving St. Andrews, and was almost as dry as the Pareora, and the Mftkikiln was without a drop of water as far up and down its bed as the eye could reach. From Timaru to Makikihi the line runs close to the sea, and then begins to run more inland. Tbero nre some pretty views on the land side, the back hills allowing up very prominently at places. Passengors wero taken aboard at Otaio, Makikihi, and Studholme Junction, and the train was then run on to tho Waimate lino. Beaching Waimate a very large crowd of peoplo wero waiting for tho train's arrival, fully one hundred of whom had booked themselves for the Downs. The train's living freight must havo by this time- increa=u<l to somethreo hundred and fifty soul*. At Waimato the engines were coupled on what was, before, the tail end of the train, Very soon the natural scenery revealed itself m all ita beauty. After leaving Waimate tho line crosses the Waimate river close to the homestead of Mr M. Studholme, and then winds itself through Studholme's Gorgo m snake-like fashion, so sharp aro some of the curves, the Gorge creek only separating it from tho main road. In this gorge Uto be geon some of the most beautiful and romantic scenery m South Canterbury. At places the line runs through steep cuttings, at other places the side 3of the high cliffs have had to be blown out to allow of the line being constructed. "View after view flashed past the eye of the admiring excursionist as the train sped on its way. lho steep inclines and fho heavy load, howover, proved hard work for tho fcwo large engine 3, and the speed was m consequence considerably slackened. This proved of great benefit to those travelling.for it gave them some little time to study the different views that revealed themselves. Peep ravines and valleys filled with scrub, manuka, kobai, &o.> and bluffs of rock, dotted with li trees, and almost close enough to be touched, follow one anotherin quick succession, till the eyes of the traveller almost weary of them, and at last, after nearly five mile 3of travelling through tho gorge, the country opened out, and the Downs could be seen m the distance. Then another, and more pretty view was met witli as tho train suddenly came out of a deep cutting. Some two hundred feet or so benrtith the traveller lies the bed of the river Waihao. Tho train runs along the top and within a Tew feet of the edge of the

cliff, and thus a capital glimpse of the course of the river, with the Btecp and rugged bluffs on the opposite side, pan be obtained. From there the descent is very steep tho weight of the train almost taking it down tho incline. The line then winds between rugged cliffs till reaching McLean's railway station, when the country becomes more level. Unfortunately there was a mist banging about the tops of tho hills, which considerably obscured the view, and hid from Bight a great many views that would havo been worth seeing. After passing McLean's station, the northern and southern branches of tho Waihao River, which join a little lower down and form the Waihao proper, wero crossed. The Waihao Forks was the next station passed, and m about five minutes tho passengers alighted at the terminus station, to enjoy tho hospitality of Mr Douglas, of tho Waihao Downs Station. Mr Douglas, hearing that it was the intention of the railway authorities to run nn excursion to the Downß m counection with tho Thursday halfholiday movement, with great liberality offered to throw open his homestead and grounds to tho excursionists, an offer which our readers must bo aware was most heartily responded to. Mr Douglas, with a number of his Btation hands, was wuitirg at the station when the train arrived and accorded all a moat hearty welcome, and explained to thorn where the best sights were to be seen and where the public were most likely to enjoy themselves. Some went straight to the homestead, while others, under the lead of a guide, climbed the cliff at the back of the homestead and enjoyed a sight well worth the climb. At the foot of the cliff — or precipice as we might more properly call it — lay the homestead with the men's houses, wool Bhed and outbuildings m a cluster, and beyond that tho Waihao riverbed and Downs, with the mouth of the Gorge m tbo distance. The Timaru Garrison Band, who had enlivened tho journey out and had also mounted the cliff, played on its brink come lively airs, which sounded very well from the homestead. After a short ramblo round the outbuildings on the station, a move was made for the men's kitchen, where a largo quantity of provisions hnd been prepared. All were most hospitably invited to partake of the hot tea, sandwiches, and ca^e, which had been so liberally provided, and every one of the station hands seemed to vie with each other m adding to the pleasure of the visitors, and attending to their many wants. At Mr Douglas' private house also he and his servants were most assiduous m their efforts to promote tlio enjoyment of all. After refreshing the inner man, tbe excursionists scattered themselves about m all directions, somn paying a visit to Mr Douglas' orchard, and others rambling round tho homestead. Mr Douglas has altogether some 9700 acres of land which will run at all seasons 30,000 sheep, 300 head of cattle, and 100 horses. Tbis ia duo to the fact that ho uses very extensively on his station automatic feed boxes, some of which hold a fortnight's fodder. He has ulso gone m largely for reclamation, and most of the land reclaimed being swamp land, and consequently damp, ho had plenty of feed during the lato dry weather. Mr Douglas ROC 3 m principally for fattening Btock and during tbe last few weeks has Bent away over 3000 sheep for freezing and other purposes. Ho has also gone m very extensively for improvements m the homestead buildings both to economise labor and save expense, and Ims also a kiln where he manufactures tiles. During the afternoon the Garrison Band enlivened tbo proceedings by the excellent music they discoursed at intervals. When all had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and bad seen all the sights that wero to bo seen within the short time at their disposal, a move was made for the railway station, and by a quarter to seven o'clock all wore once moro comfortably seated m tho train. Beforo leaving Mr W. H. Triggs, on behalf of everyone, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Douglas for his princely hospitality m throwing open to the public his homestead and grounds, and the very great trouble ho had taken to mako the Bhort stay of his visitors as pleasant as possible, and m doing so, said lie feit sure all who bad enjoyed Mr Douglas' hospitality, would ever remember that day as one of the most pleasant and enjoyable they had over spent. He then culled for three cheer?, which wero given right royally. Mr Douglas m returning thanks said if his visitors had enjoyed themselves half aB much as ho had enjoyed himself providing for and 6eeing to their unjormeut, he would bo quite satisfied, and invited all to pay him a visit on sonic future occasion when he would again accord them as hearty a welcome. After votes of thanks had been given to the station hands for their assistance, and tho Bund had played a few bars of " Auld Lang Syne," the train moved off amidst ringing cheora for him who had so generously added to tho pleasure of the day. Timaru was reached a few minutes before nine o'clock, and all dispersed to their respective homes. May tho plensuro of yesterday's excursion and of Mr Douglas and his kindness remain long m their memory. In conclusion wo must mention that the train arrangements were all that could be desired, no complaints of any sort being heard.