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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Excursions By Rail

Excursions By Rail.

Excursions by rail are most popular as a mode of public holiday-keeping in Wellington, and the patronage is fairly evenly divided between the two lines. For short distances the Manawatu has decided advantages. The scenery is grand and wild, as may be imagined from the fact that seven tunnels occur in the first seven miles. The bush is reached from the first station (Crofton, three miles), and at the second (Khandallah, five miles) an altitude of about 500 feet is attained. At thirteen miles from the City the Porirua Harbour is reached, and the train skirts the harbour for six or eight miles, stopping at Plimmerton—a favourite seaside resort, where Mr. John
Featherston Street.

Featherston Street.

page 226
Customhouse Quay.

Customhouse Quay.

Plimmer, after whom it is named, has recently erected a handsome and convenient holiday home. Leaving Pukerua (twenty-two miles), and passing through another succession of tunnels, the open coast is reached at Paikakariki—a most beautiful embryo watering-place, twenty-seven miles from the City. The Paikakariki Hotel affords ample accommodation for present needs, because the people of Wellington have yet to learn the value of Paikakariki as a health resort. For single day excursions it is well patronised and eminently suitable. As the train bursts through the last tunnel a delightful view is presented. On the left, the rolling sea, with its miles of beach and foaming breakers, bordered in places by high and gracefully-turned sand dunes; on the right, the lofty bush-clad hill, dark and precipitous. A stroll on the lovely beach in the bracing westerly breeze sharpens the appetite for the mid-day meal, which, leisurely and moderately indulged In, fits one for a climb up the spur of the mountain, from all parts of which charming views are obtainable. From Paikakariki onward the line runs through level country, but the townships here and there have their special attractions to excursionists.
The main beauty-spots of the Wairarapa line are much further from the City than those of the Manawatu, though the intervening scenery is by no means uninteresting. For the first eight miles the train skirts the harbour, and even old residents who have travelled this way scores of times, are moved to renewed admiration of the graceful contrast from the rugged and precipitous hills on the left, to the placid waters of Port Nicholson on the right. At Petone the I train leaves the harbour, and therefore this station is a favourite stopping-place for picnic parties. There are numerous paddocks for amusements, a good beach for strollers, and excellent walks up the bush-gullies for waterfall-hunters. Still more popular, however, is the Lower Hutt (nine miles from the City), where the river, and McNab's and other gardens are the principal attractions. At Cudby's stables, quite close to the station, horses and all kinds of vehicles may be hired. Lowry Bay, Day's Bay, and even Wainui, are within easy driving distance. A most enjoyable day may be spent by taking the train to the Lower Hutt, and from thence driving through the beautiful Hutt Valley and the pretty farming district of Taita, to the Upper Hutt and Kaitoke. Belmont, the first station beyond the Lower Hutt, claims its share of excursionists; but the majority of those who remain in the train at Belmont are bent on seeing the famous Rimutaka Incline, or, more properly, “decline” from the Wellington end. This is indeed a remarkable and most expensive piece of railway engineering, and not a few are of opinion that a more useful, if less picturesque, route might have been selected. The scenery through which this part of the line runs, should be seen by every
Brandon's Corner.From a photo lent by Mrs. O'Loughlin, Otaki.Thorndon Flat In The Early Days.

Brandon's Corner.
From a photo lent by Mrs. O'Loughlin, Otaki.
Thorndon Flat In The Early Days.

page 227
Old Tinakori Road.

Old Tinakori Road.

visitor to Wellington who can possibly spare the short time needed for the trip. It is wildly beautiful. Though 1144. feet above sea level at what is called “The Summit,” the hills all round stand up like walls, and average nearly three times this altitude.

So numerous are the curves that passengers are bewildered in their attempts to distinguish between the points covered and those to be almost immediately gained. From “The Summit,” the descent towards Featherston is very steep, and it is for the first few miles of this that the centre rail is laid. The actual distance is 2 5/8 miles; but, on account of the great cost of working this part, it is counted for the purposes of traffic tariff at eight miles. The centre rail stands about nine inches above the sleepers, and it is about six inches wide. It is gripped by horizontal wheels on both sides, magnificent and specially-constructed engines being set apart for use on this section. The north and South trains pass each other at “The Summit,” so that the extra work may be done both ways consecutively. The train from Featherston makes the ascent between Cross Creek and “The Summit” in from forty to fifty minutes; but the descending train, itself very slow, covers the distance in about half that time. Excursionists are tempted over “the Rimutaka” by the wonders, natural and artificial, which are to be seen there. Emerging from the ravines and bush-clad hills, the Wairarapa Main is reached at Featherston, with a good view of the Lake as the train approaches.

The Wairarapa Lake cannot fairly be called pretty. The approaches are marshy, and very little has been done to improve them. Black swans and the wild fowl are to be found there in great numbers, and sportsmen are loud in their praises of shooting expeditions in that locality. As time goes on, doubtless the Wairarapa Lake will become a favourite place for excursionists, but a great expenditure of capital in wharves and steamers will be needed. The lake is twelve miles by four, about half as large again as the Wellington Harbour.