THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12226, 23 July 1907, Page 2

THE MAIN TRUNK LINE.

Parliamentary Party's Trip.

(By Our Speejal Repoiter.)

The trip of the Pailiamrnt.iry ptuty along tiic North Island Main Irunk Railway Lino organised by Mr Remington, the energetic member for Itangitikei, which was eoinonccd from Wellington on Friday morning, termiuated yesterday, when the party returned to the Empire City alter four' days of travelling by train, coach, and stoau.cr which will long be looked backward to with pleasure by those who were fortunate enough to accompauy the party." Ihe trip \vas organised by Mr Remington with the object of giving those members who had not previously been over the Main Trunk Line an opportunity of seeing for themselves the progress of the work, the beautiful pcanery en loute, the immense possibilities of the country, and more particularly, perhaps, the urgent need of rendering all the assistance possible to the sturdy ba.id of pioneer settlers who have made^ and are still making, worthy efforts to carve out homes for themselves in the backblocks. It is to be regretted that a larger number of members? did not undertake the trip, which was a most successful one, and thoroughly enjoyable to all who braved the difficulties and discomforts attendant on such a journey. Not only was the trip an enjoyable one, but the dbjects for which it wa3 originated must assuredly have been accomplished, as the whole of the numbers were greatly impressed wi«h \.rat they saw and beard. Only those who have been over the route can Realise the stupendous difficulties which had to be surmounted by the Public Works Department, but all of which are now on a fair way to being overcome, and the officers of that Department, as well as the Government, are to be congratulated on the wonderful efforts they have made in the past in prosecuting the work, and are making now to complete the same by the end of next year. Though much remains yet to be done, still those best competent to judge declare with every confidence that, providing nothing untoward happens, the anticipations of the Hon. Hall-Jones will be realised. That the trip opened the eyes of members to the immense potentialities of the country through which the line traverses cannot be doubted, and they were also convinced that the settlers along the route had good and solid grounds 1 to cry out for roads, branch railways, and other improvements. Altogether, itfr Remington must be said to have done excellent service, not only for the back-blocks settlers, but for the whole of the people of the North Island — in fact, o.f the Dominion — when he proposed and engineered the trip through to a successful issue, and he deserves great credit for his enterprise. Just here it might be mentioned that MiRemington gave his personal warranty to members of the General Assembly that the weather and everything else would be favourable, and though rain fell on Saturday afternoon and made things anything but comfortable for the travellers, and again on Sunday, still all agreed that the trip had been one which had given them a great amount of pleasure, and they were very pleased that they had undertaken the journey.

THE FIRST DAY'S JOURNEY.

Little need be written about the experiences 1 of the greater part of the first day's journey. Leaving "Wellington on Friday morning attached to the mail train, trie party — the names of those comprising > which have already' been publishedi-ia'r-rived at Palmerston North at 11.35, where a couple of Wanganui pressmen were picked up. Two carriages containing the members of the party, together with a van, were here detached from the mail, and, drawn by one of the big engines, went on ahead of the express, travelling at a very fast rate — sometimes doing just on 40 miles an hour — as far as Mataroa, brief stoppages being made at Marton, Hunterville, Mangaweka, and Taihape.

Reaching Mataroa, where what might be termed new country is run through, a smaller engine takes the place of the big one. Good progress is still made,' however, and the special winds its way up a valley with a stream running through it, and we passed some very good looking land, which has evidently been fairly well sittled, as a deal of the bush has been cleared, and there are some nice paddocks, with here aud there very pretty bits of bush.

Rapidly ascending, and with the climate getting appreciibly colder, we come to Turangtirore, which h* over 2000 ft above the sea level. Just bcior.' the Turangarcre station is readier! we fiud the Hue has been laid in the shape of a hor»e-shoe, which had to be done owing to the height and grading, to inereihe the distance. The train winds its way stili higher up, until we conic to

' WAIOURU, a cold, bleak, aud mcot inhospitable-look-ing place — which io 2ii"'Jft above sea level, or about onotlmd of the height of Mount Kgmo'.it. Ah the weather is beautifully fire a li.ajnifuvnt vuw unfolds itself to the traveher. 'li.is township in situated on a plain, the country in the immediate vicinity beinj very iiat, while away in the distance — some 20 miles asthc crow flics — though appearing to be only about a quarter of an hour'a walk from the station — stands lluapehu, and to the right can be seen Ngauruhoc, and in the background longanro, these mountains, with their snow-clad tops, having a truly majestic appearance. The land around Waiouru looks good, but it is deceptive, as the formation is of pumice ejected from the mountain, and it takes about three acres to the sheep. A short stop was made at this place, which it was^expected would become a fairly large township, but it is doubtful whether many people will ever be induced to live in 6uch a cold and bleak spot. The station buildings here are evidently to be built to a t size which suggests that the future has' been anticipated, considerably, | whichis undoubtedly a very wise policy — at least would be in many cases. There is an accommodation house Here for workers. The most permanent structure is a 6000- * gallon tank, which stands on ferro-eon-crete legs.

There is a fairly sudden drop of 700 ft just after leaving \Vaiouru, and theje will be several deep cuttings to be finished and gullys to be filled up before the main-line rails can be laid over the intervening space of about 1£ miles. As it will be something like twelve months before this work is completed, a temporary loop line has been constructed round these hills and gullies, the grade being 1 in 30. Had it not been for this deviation Waiouru would have been the rail head for some twelve months to come, instead of 14 miles further back.

Getting back on to the main line, the railwayskirts round the mountains, passes the Public Works township, and creeps out on to and across the Murimotu Plains to Karioi, whence the eastern end of

ballasted line fetches us to the southern rail-head — Rangitaua — which \\ius reached at 4.45 o'clock. Coaches' were waiting here to convey the party to Raetihi. The gieater pint ot tic journey — some 12 mik>» — was cmeivd m darkness, and little could lie seen of the surrounding country, though the condition of the roads was felt— the jolting being very severe at times, aud making soi-ie. of the more timid of the party wonder what was going to happen before our deo<tination was reached, l-ortunateiy nothing serious occurred, though some felt rather surprised to hear that the roa'.ls were in the best condition they had been for a long time, and not nearly so bad as other roads. It was fervently hoped that we would not have to travel over these latter roads, as what we had passed over were bad enough for the majority. The party were heartily welcomed by the leading residents of Raetihi and entertained at a banquet, the proceedings at which have already been fully reported in these columns. The banquet will rank as an AN EPOCH-MARKING EVENT, in the history of Raetihi, and the settlers there must be said to have done the thing in a style worthy 'of the occasion, the airangementa beiujj excellent and the affair passing off in a most successful manner. The menu was one which would do credit to any similar function in much more favourably situated towns, and the committee especially are to be congratulated on the results of their efforts to entertain the paity. Tim gathering brought the first uay s programme to a close at midnight. FROM RAETIHI TO TAUMARUNUI. Early on Saturday morning a start was made on the next stage of our journey, viz., to Taumarunui. A drive back over about seven miles of the road we had traversed the previous night enabled us to get a good idea of the extent of the valuable rimu and matai forest through which we had to pats. Coming to the cross road we turned off towards OHAKUNE, where the residents turned out in force to welcome the members, who were entertained with light refreshments, after which some of the more pressing requirements of the district were brought under the notice of the members by Mr Gould (chairman of the local Progressive Association). Attention was draw nto the difficulties arising out of the native land question. Then, of course, came the eternal question of roads. These, Mr Gould said, were in a very bad condition, and the settlers proposed obtaining a loan of <£500 for the purpose of improving them. They wished to know whether the Government would be likely to favourably consider a request for a pound for pound subsidy. Such a request was, the settlers considered, a reasonable one, considering that a lot of damage to the roads had been caused by the heavy traffic over the roads in connection with the Main Trunk Railway. Messrs McKenzie, Jennings, Fisher, and Reming,ton spoke on behalf of the rest of the members-, promising to do all they could to get the wishes of the deputation acceded to. It was pointed out, however, that the Public Works Department would repair the roads thoroughly when they had finished using them, and that probably the wisest course to pursue would be to wait until then. Proceeding on from Ohakune the party were driven past the quarries. During the excavations here .the workmen came upon an old, crater^ the scoria from which is being uspd as metal for the roads. Driving through ,dw*se bi\sh, we came to the first of the yiaducts which yet remain* to be completed', 1 this being the Tao'nui, which is fairly well -in hand. This, like two others ' \£hich Were "not visited by the party, are viaduct's 'which are being constructed by the Public Works Department under the co-operative system. The three are costly works, but are not nearly such big undertakings as the three which were seen further up. The first of these is. the Mangaturuturil, which is 94£ miles from ' Marton, 49£ from Taihape, and 210 from Wellington. This viaduct will BRIDGE A' DEEP RAVINE, and there will be two spans of 100 ft each The rails will be 60ft above the creek bed, and the centre pier 50ft high. This pier has been built up over 10ft, and should be ready for Anderson's staff to commence the superstructure. Anderson and Co. have contracted to erect the iron superstructure of the Mangaturuturu and the Manganui-o-te-Ao, the Government doin^ the foundations and pier work. The same firm have undertaken tho construction of the whole of the Makatote viaduct, which is higher and longer than the Makohine. The Makatote will cost j!58,000. The excavation for the abutments of the Manjjaturuturu are now well in hand. The Manganui-o-te-Ao is a mile and a half further on northwards. This viaduct will also have two spans each of 122 ft in length, and the rails' will be 110 ft above the bed of the stream. The 90ft pier has been completed, and stands like A HUGE MONUMENT rising up from the middle of the ravine. It is a fine piece of concrete work. One of the abutments has been completed, or practically so, but the other will take some time yet, as the work was delayed owing to the foundations having to be put 20ft lower than was intended, in order to get rid of the pumice, which was troublesome. This viaduqt will mark, as nearly as possible, the half distance (214 miles) between Auckland tind Wellington. The most northern of these unfinished viaducts which yet remain to be finished is the Makatote. This, when completed, will bridge a very wide and deep mountain cleft, and will have five one hundred feet spans. The rails will be 257 feet above the bed of the stream, and- the length of the viaduct in all 980 ft. One of the concrete base blocks is itself 70ft hijjh. The work is well advanced, and the progress of the line will not be delayed to any appreciable extent, if at all, it is believed, on account of this work. The contractor has informed the Government that he can get through his contract by the end of January, and may finish at the end of the year. To the layman this looks a big order, seeing the large amount of work yet to be done. How'e^er, the concrete work is alfnost completed, and a great deal of the ironwork is in position. A work like this is one of the marvels of engineering, and needs to be seen in its present uncompleted state for anyone to fully realise the stupendous nature of the task undertaken. Huge steel girders are swung out into space on a 2Jin wire rope. The ends of the rope at each side of the gorge pass over derricks much higher than the rail level, which is 240 ft above the bed of the stream. Huge weights have already been thus swung out by attaching them to a wheel and pulley arrangement — a traveller — and then dropped when they have reached position. Mr Anderson has had built at the northern end of this gorge a temporary .modern workshop with all modern equipment, electric light, etc. On the party reaching this place a halt was called for dinner, and a brief inspection of tho workshop, and works was made. Immediately north of Makatote there is a heavy cutting fiflgpa, chains long. This should be completed at the end of the year. The concrete, $>jer and abutments' at Waimarino Creek were found to be well I in hand, and the steel work for the bridges ready.

Shortly after leaving Makotote, rain which liad been threatening all day, came clown steadily, aud when the coaches reached the open plain the pa»seno.'ij got the full benefit of the driving cold slcor, and had anything but a pleasant tune oi it. It was most unfortunate that the weather should have been bad at n.is jumture, ao it presented a view of the mountain being obtained. From the Waiijunno Creek northward to ii^n-.u-ino Station the earthworks are -well advanced, auJ it is estimated tnat all will be n.—jiied by the time t...- ails cc. .c alon^ to t.ie point m JNoveiho. . Alter gottug across t>e 1' L!ie forest is entered again, and then what io kuowu as the "8 formation comes in to be followed by the spiral. It may be mentioned that the Waimarino Station, like vv'aiouru, is 2600 ft high, whilst Raurimu, the northern railhead, is located in forest laud, and is but 1900 ft high. To rise 714 ft from Raumai and pieaerve the ruling grade distance has to be ma.de, hence the spiral, and the "8 ' described by the line. There are a couple of tremendous cuttings here, and two tunnels; one 20 and one 2£ chains in length. The larger work has been completed, and, the other will be ready by October. In fact by September all formation " should be ready for rails to advance over the spiral, the "8" and then, southward.

RAURIMU. which is an extensive township was reached at 5 o'clock, by which time all of the party had grown tired of the coaches, and were glad of a change into the special train, which was waiting. An hour and a half's tra-n journey brought us to

TAUMARUNUI, and very placed we were to reach that township, where the party were entertained at a banquet, which started shortly after 7 o'clock, and was very largely attended. Altogether there were about 75 present, including settlers from 50 miles distant.

Mr J . Li. Ward acted as chairman, and, after lull justice had been done to the spread provided the usual loyal toast hououred, proposed the toast of ''Parliament." In the course of a very appropriate speech he expressed pleasure at seeing that the members were tbinkinj* a little about the back blocks. Generally city men looked too much to the centres, and not enough to the back country. He said that every road was another muscle, another nerve, which added to the strength and importance of the whole colony, lie admired the pluck of members in undertaking the long journey in order to see the' problems of nature in these parts, and said it gave him great pleasure to welcome them to the township. Responding, the Hon. Mr Jenkinson, M.L.U, said the party had been overburdened with dinners, and refreshments, and with rain and cold, etc. He knew that the settlers had gathered there that evening because they wanted something, and remarked (jocularly) that they should request the Government to take off half the rainfall, and a couple of inches off the Maori names of the places. He thanked the Taumarunui people heartily for their kindness.

jlr Buddo, M.H.R., also replied. He said that the trip had enabled^the party to see some of the hardships df the settlers, the difficulties of traffic, and also how hard it was to make bricks without straw. The pioneers have all the grit which the Britisher is known to possess, said the speaker, and as to the wives of the bush severs, well— he took hip iiat off to them. They were possessed of marvellous pluck to go out in tne wilderness with their husbands, and rear children. It was a sight which had appealed to all of them to see at the doors of huts and tents every here and there as they came along the road women with five or six little children, who all looked contented and happy. These people could not often, even see the sun. It had been their privilege to look upon 40 miles of forest— the finest he had ever seen. It had been estimated that this timber was worth per acre, and it, certainly was one of the most valuable assets the colony had. He impressed upon all of them that in the interests of the colony it would be wise to go steadily along, in the felling of that timber— that it would be a national disaster to* ruthlessly destroy -. He said that timber which they sold here at 9s was fetching 15s in Christchurch. It would be necessary to conserve this asset, as it would not be long before they would not be able to get suitable timber, except at exhorbitant prices. He quite understood the feeling of the settlers with regard to the unsatisfactory tenure, and fully appreciated the native land difficulties, which loomed so large. In dealing with this problem the native heritage of "Taihoa" had descended upon them. With regard to the benefits of settling the back country he said that he did not care if a man. got the freehold title for nothing if he onlywould go and live on the land. lie appealed to the settlers to assist them in setting aside endowments. He spoke eulogistically of the scenery, and the mountains which had such a majestic element about them, and the attraction these would be to tourists. But the greatest asset, he maintained, would be the patriotism which they would instil into the children. He concluded by saying that he felt sure they had a great future before them in the Upper Rangitikei. Mr C. 'J. Ryan (vice-chairman), then proposed "The Railways." He said, that the settlers of Taumarunui were very greatly concerned in the railways. He mentioned that there were 3,000,000 acres lying idle for the want of facii — cc for settlement on the Taranaki- Auckland, line route. Much of this land would run from 2 to 3 sheep per acre, and he strongly urged members to support the prosecution of this line. .

The Messrs Ormsbee Bros spoke in support of this request, declaring that if any railway was worthy of favourable consideration this one was, and that' it would pay all the way. They stated that the plant now being used on the Main Trunk could not be shifted to a" better place than on- to the Stratford-Orangue would soon be. It was pointed nut that the roads were so bad that it took two days to cover 40 miles, and it would be cheaper to lay down the line than to bother with roads % The land the party had come through Vas not to be compared with that in the Ohura district, where the scenery was sjdso beautiful. They also requested that the railway line should be fenced, as the natives and settlers were having their stock killed by the trains. They dwelt on the native land question, and said that they thought the Government had appropriated the word "taihoa/' and made it their property. The natives, they said, deserved better" treatment. Mr J. T. Hogan, M.H.R., for Wanganui, in responding, gave Mr Jennings great credit 'for the efforts he had made to get the Stratford-Ongarue railways- pushed on with. He and others who supported him had much difficulty to contend with, however, as so much, .was wanted and all at onee — that was the trouble. There was a great clamour for railways and roads from all directions. The Stratford-Ongarue railway was an authorised line, and therefore its construction was on the cawls. He quite recognised the benefits which would accrue from putting the line through, and he, and he thought the other members also, would be only too pleased to help in the matter. Regarding the grievance of the unfenced line, he pointed

out that the putting of a railway through any land euhamed its value, auJ thought that pcriiai'3 »ome amicable amuigJtnent for lencmg iiiigat be conic to with the owners. This matter of the killing of stock by the trains should receive the earnest consideration of members. He paid a tribute to the officers and men who so ably controlled the railways for the Public Works Department, and hoped that regulations and red tapeism would not bar these men from being kept on the line, when the Railway Department took the Main Trunk over, for these men were acquainted with the line and should not be dispensed with. They were really pioneer railway men. He referred with regret to the fact that the Public Work.s servants were not on the same terms as those on the .railway seivice proper in v-- matter of receiving benefits, etc. The Public Works men were really the pioneers of the service, and had a great responsibility owing to the difficulties encountered in putting railways through new country. With regard to the river steamer, service Jie expressed the opinion that it sould be under the control of the State. There ought, he said, be State regulations as to charges, and if charges to settlers were too high and the State the owners, grievances could be remedied by Parliament. The principle applied to the Lake Wakatrpu service should be applied to the Wanganui service. Mr Hogan concluded by stating that members had no conception — even after their experiences on the trip up from Raugitaua — of the frightful state of the roads down through the RaetihiParapara district. If they saw that they would then realise the difficulties of settlement in our back country, and he wa3 sure would assist to their uttermost in getting grant* for their improvement.

The Chairman explained that the Government claimed the privilege of erecting the fences on the line, and should do the work. The natives certainly, had a grievance.

Mr a. S. Laird next proposed, "Our Guests." He said the settlers highly appreciated the action of the members for coming through the country at such inconvenience as they had done, and great, credit was due to the organiser of the trip, Mr Remington, M.H.R. Talking about roads, their cry was roads, more roads, and they would not be satisfied until they got them. Mr Hogan had stated nothing but a simple truth in reference to the bad roads in the Raetihi-Parapara district, where the settlers were living under almost incredible conditions, and. more particularly the women. He' then touched on the river service, and said that the existing state of affairs was due to the fact that there was only one company trading on the river. With regard toj rafting, be thought it should be allowed, and settlers enabled to have timber rafted down the river so that they could put a decent shelter over their heads. He concluded by extending, on behalf of the members of the Progressive Association, a very hearty welcome, remarking that he thought they must have acquired some knowledge on the trip, which would be likely to induce them to support their member (3u.r Jennings) for the district in his efforts to improve tne existing conditions.

Mr T. McKenzie, M.H.R., in responding, referred to the imposs^-- -y of complying with the numerous requests for public works which were made from all quarters. He strongly advocated the institution of light railways for such districts, and would suport a big loan if it were proposed to expend it on building such lines. It was ridiculous for settlement to go before roads; the roads should take precedence. Hfc asked where would the cities be without the pioneer settlers? Mr Fisher, M.H.R., said that city members fully realised that the prosperity of the cities depended upon the settlement, and progress of the back blocks. They were not at all blind to that, and. would give all the assistance possible. Re the river service, he said the Government were spending a large amount of money annually to assist the traffic. He did not want to see any injustice done to Mr Hatrick, but he thought it about time the State stepped in, and took a hand in the settlement of the difficulties with regard to freights, etc. Mr Greenslade, M.H.R., also replied, dwelling on the advisability of the members concerned sinking all party considerations, and combining to advocate works which would make for the progress of their districts.

Dr Cairns proposed the toast, "Public Health and Our Township," urging the buiming of a hospital, which was badly needed at Taumarunui.

Mr J. A. Langmuir, responding, expressed regret that the Government had not acquired the land on which the township was situated. He hoped that steps would be taken to get this matter and the difficulty re gazetting the township put right. He impressed on the members the urgent necessity of roading the Ohura Block. Mr Loveday proposed "Our Member,' y Mr Jennings. He spoke of the land in the Ohura Block being second to none in the colony, declaring it would nearly all carry from 1£ to 3 sheep to the acre, and that a railway would pay handsomely;. He believed members would be prepared to vote even J1,000,000 for such a railway if they saw the land for themselves. It was practically settled for 40 miles from the Ongarue end, but settlers would be ruined unless the' Government came to their assistance with roads and railways.

The tqast was drunk with great' enthusiasm.

Mr ? Jennings, M.H.R., in replying, said that a return had been, prepared showing the estimated cost of fencing the Main Trunk Line, and therefore it was evident this work would soon be done. With regard to the hospital, he said that through his representations JISOO had been placed on the Estimates for its construction, and he was pleased to be able to say that there would be no further delay in this matter. The refusal to permit rafting on the Wanganui River was a very sore point. It was a very funny thing that settlers were not allowed to get timber down to their homes. Why should there be any objection m a countiy which was supposed to be free ? There would, he declared, - be no damage to the scenery or to the protective work. The timber would be under control the same as the steamers, fie asked members to give honest consideration to this matter if the report now being prepared was not satisfactory. Settlers wanted the timber to build homes with, and they should be given every facility for getting it. Mr Jennings then touched on the native land difficulties, and urged that a system of classification should be introduced, whereby the educated halfcastes and Maoris should be given the right of dealing with their own. This would give an immense impetus to settlement. With regard to the v^hura settlement, there weite over 400 votes in that part, and the settlers were of the best class — men who knew what they were going to do if they ?f°t » fair chance. He was satisfied the railway line would pay, and also that Mr Blow (the Under-Seere-tary for Public Works) would recommend the work if he saw the block. He thought the King Country* should have a centra' laud authority in it. He hoped the Government would take steps to acquire the land on which Taumarunui township was built (Cheers). Mr Dunster proposed the toast of "Our Public Works."

Mr Blow, in responding, said that he felt confident the Main Trunk Line would

be open by the end of 1908, providing reasonable weather conditions prevailed. -ia ior the other railways and roads asked lor, he pointed out that over £3,000,UUU was wanted, and at onct, by the differei't provinces in the colony, and the Government had not the money available. It was part of the policy of the Railway iJcpartmcnt to make Tdumarunui a subtermimis, and therefore the request for a. hospital was certainly a reasonable one. A*e could assure them that only the extreme pressure of work had prcventi-d the plans oeing completed ere this, but they would soon be ready, being now well in hand. Mr Blow referred to the lack of interest displayed by the Auckland members iv the excursion, as was evidenced byonly one Aucklander (Mr Grecnslade) being with the party. Other toasts were honoured, the gathering conluding at mid-ni^ht with "God Save the King."