OPUNAKE RAILWAY.
i FIRST SOD TURNED. (Per Press Association.) «■ • HAWERA, May 28. To-day was' a red-letter day for Opunake. The ceremony of turning the first, sod of the railway which is to connect the township with the main lino at Te Itoti was performed by the Hon. "W. Fraser in glorious weather and in the presence of a large gather--ing of settlers from all parts of the province. The Minister, who turned the sod amidst enthusiasm,' apologised for the "unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister. He said the line was one of the most important in the Dominion, and he recognised that it was of enonilous importance to the settlers of the district. He would do what h<>> could to have the line finished, within a reasonable time, but the progress made would depend upon the amount voted, by Parliament. The Minister was presented with a beautiful silver inkstand in commemoration of the occasion. Subsequently Mr Fraser was entertained at luncheon in the Town Hall, where there was a representative gathering. Congratulatory speeches were made by Mr C. Dudly (chairman of the Opunake Railway League), the Taranaki member of Parliament, and prominent settlers nnd representatives of local bodies. Tho health of the Minister was enthusiastically honoured.
Afterwards Mr Fraser motored in Eltham, where he is to be the guest of tho citizens to-night.
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8850, 29 May 1914, Page 6
Word Count
223
OPUNAKE RAILWAY.
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8850, 29 May 1914, Page 6
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