HOKITIKA-GREY RAILWAY.

This event, wbich bad been looked forward to with eager anticipation for so loog, to^k place yesterday. As is usual in functions of this description, the state of the weather constituted an important element in tbe success or non-3uccess of the demonstration. Tuesday was fine but the clouds closed in ominously as night cams oa and several heavy showers fell. The morning, broke gloomy 'and threatening and when the train came in from Grty mouth to convey the first excursion there seemtd every probability of its raining. The Hon the Premier drove in from Kumara early in the morning and went through to Greymomh by the first tr in. Owing to the threatening state of the weather a number of intending ex* cursiosists decided to remain in town and a great number of country sealers delayed coming into town till later iv the dayStill, tbe first train took fully a 'housand passengers, all parts of tbe district being represented, miners from the neighbour* ing gold fields, farmers from Arahura and Kok atahi aad settlers from South West« land, besides a respectable perooniage of Hokitika residents Contingent? were taken in at the Arahnra bridge, Stafford track, Kumara road and at Paroa, bo when the train arrived at Greymonth it prex eented an imposing spectacle. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed throughout. At every habitation, road; or track abutting on the line could be seen men, women and obildren waving bats, bandkerchiefs, ferns, in fact anything bandy that enabled them to express their satisfaction at the occasion, wMlsfc when ever (he train a'onred down the band added their ttibute. At GrejmoJtb flags were flying in all directions and tbe streets were alive with people. In addition to the Hokitika train, the Midland Company ssnt one down from JKeefton and the Groy Valley whioh contained from four to five hundred people whilst the tugboat Westland had brought 40 down from vVestport. A hundred had got on boatl but the Collector of Customs refused io allow more than 40 to tray being the number for whom a special permit had been obtained. The members of tbe lucal bodiss inaigted on their rigbt to come and a number of residents made up the contingent allowed,