302

Greytown Branch

AND BEYOND

The junction station of the Greytown Branch is Pietermaritzburg. The line was completed in July, 1900, and is 64f miles in length. The passenger trains to and from Greytown connect daily with the important up and down main line trains. The country through which the line trails is just as eccentric in formation as other portions of the midlands. It is a farmers' land- -stock, ostriches, maize, potatoes, onions, and English and tropical fruits thrive well in various parts of the extensive district : dairying is another large industry while the many forests of black wattle bespeak the adaptability of the soil for the growth of this useful wood.

VICTORIA ROAD is the opening station, opposite is the agricultural show- ç AHitude . - 2070 feet. ^ ground ; to the left is the pretty Chase Valley, and 1 Distance - - 73 miles. ) stretching from end to end are the heavily-timbered slopes of Maritzburg's Berea. A fine view of the city, and its spacious outer-lands and parks, is secured between Victoria Station and the next stopping place, Mountain Rise.

BELFORT is a pleasantly-situated station. Beyond Belfort, and before gaining Ottos Bluff, a unique piece of railway is travelled over

[ Altitude - - 2668 feet.

I Distance - - 78 miles. \ m orc i er to surmount the awkward country, the line being of balloon shape. From Victoria to Claridge, the next stopping place, the line rises to a height of 860 feet in a distance of seven miles, the summit finally being reached by the balloon. The timid traveller who has not experienced the delights of aviation need have no qualms — he will not be required to leave his temporary seat nor his mother earth, the balloon being the local christening of the loop by which the line doubles on itself to gain its destination.

OTTOS BLUFF takes its name from the abrupt head-like hill opposite the Ç Altitude - - 2402 feet. ^\ station — a reduced replica of the famous Isandhlwana in

J Distance - - 85 miles, j 2ululand

ALBERT FALLS is the succeeding station, and is one of the best inland f Altitude - - 209i feet. ^ pleasure resorts in Natal. It is only possible to devote

[ Distance -_ 90 miles - I a little space to the attractions, but the visitor may be

sure of passing an exceedingly agreeable time, both in summer and in winter, while as a week-end retreat it cannot be surpassed. Besides the beautiful broad falls, a few hundred yards from the station, there are long stretches of water for boating, good fishing, etc. The country is hilly and chiefly pastoral, and the noble Karkloof range — with its dense virginal forests — gives a striking and artistic finish to the landscape. As regards the climate, it is invigorating and everything that could be desired.

Pushing on to New Hanover the view is most picturesque. Wattle woods abound, for this profitable industry, with its three-fold return of bark, mine