The Changing Years.

In the several years that driver Barrowman and fireman Johnston drove No. 221 together, they became familiar with every inch of the track, every

(Rly. Publicity photo.) Another Main Trunk scene, approaching the Hapuawhenua Viaduct.

feature of the landscape. They saw mild spring follow bleak winter, while soft from hill and plain arose the bleating of new-born lambs. They watched scarlet rata and golden kowhai transform the endless miles of bush country to brief glory, and fade again into listless foliage.

They knew the tilling of the lowlands and the harvesting of golden grain. They saw the bushland slowly recede, leaving a trail of stumps and discarded logs. They watched rough settlements along the line become thriving townships, marking each new cottage near the embankment, each small farm which sprang up. Here they looked for a cheerily waving apron in a laughing house-wife's hand, or the merry shout of an eager child—and one day perhaps to gaze on lowered blinds which told their own mute tale of tragedy.

They drove their charge together, humouring her in her miles of achievement, in harmony with her working. They coaxed her up the long grades and let her have her head on the plains, checked her around the curves and nursed her along the up and down gradients. With real affection they regarded her, and with regret passed on to other spheres of work.

Following his promotion to driver, Mr. Johnston recalls the installation of the first electric headlights on the “Night Cat,” whose shrill cry was a familiar night sound to settlers of many townships.