RANCH _

Railways

CHAPTER XIV

Note.— SOUTH COAST, BLUFF, UMZINTO, & ALFRED COUNTY BRANCHES, see Chapter XII. NORTH COAST BRANCH, see Chapter XIII. MID-ILLOVO NARROW GAUGE BRANCH, see Chapter V. WEENEN NARROW GAUGE BRANCH, see Chapter VIII.

Richmond Branch

HE Richmond Branch, which was opened in

December, 1897, is 17 miles in length, and

deviates from the trunk line at a point just south of Thornville Junction.

NELS RUST is the initial station. The traffic Ç Altitude - - 27io feet. ^ is principally in dairy

I Distancc ' _' B3: '' milcs - 1 produce, a considerable

quantity of the milk and cream consumed in the Province emanating from this district. Wattle growing is a coming industry, and the most extensive acreage employed in these pursuits is undoubtedly that owned by Senator Hon. Joseph Baynes, C.M.G., a gentleman noted for his scientific farming. One of his most successful and beneficial ventures is the well-known creamery business, which was commenced shortly after the opening of this branch. The farm is prettily situated, a little beyond the station, and a glimpse may be caught of its red stone gable, over the trees on the off-side of the train. This useful undertaking has considerably increased in importance during the last four or five years, so much so that the plant is scarcely equal to the heavy demand made upon it.

Beyond Nels Rust the irregularity of the country is more pronounced, but there is little to entertain the eye, except a farmstead here and there, a clump of trees, a few cattle, or a casual Kaffir kraal.

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