Official Opening of the Otago Central Railway to Omakau.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 451, 8 December 1904, Page 5

Official Opening of the Otago Central Railway to Omakau.

The Premier, in his addiOTaafc the opening of the railway to Onaakau on the 29th ult., said he had been at the opening of the line at several stage-, and he intended to be present at the opening of the next section, and also at the fiaish. He spoko of the good work done by the late Hon. Vincent Pyke in connection with the line, and went on to Say that if there had been more water on the plains the population would have been large enough to warrant the railway being finished long ago. All things came to those who waited, and it was only in the last few years that the people of Central Otago had become impatient. The Press had stated that this was the silver jubilee of bis political life. This was also the silver jubilee year of the Otago Central Railway. The first contract of the line was let in 1879. It bad been demonstrated that day what the making of a railway was. Prosperity was brought within reach by the increased transport facilities. He thought that the Central Otago people were the most hopeful people to be found in any part of the colony. One of the golden pages, as far as Otago was concerned,

pgCC, iW '»■• uo .too -was the building of the Central Railway step by step. He thought that the completion of the railway should be marked by an annual observance day throughout Otago. It should not be another twenty-five years before the railway wss completed. He believed that the railway should be completed soon enough to allow its pioneers to reap its benefits. The Premier proceeded to review the history and construction of the railway, and said that the next section constructed would be to Ohatto Creek, distant seven and a half miles, which would bring the terminus within ten miles of Alexan-

dra. Under the co-operative system there was no incentive to slumming ■work, as there was no running of one man by another, and sweating. The railways were better constructed under the co-operative system, which he felt proad to have introduced when Minister of Public Works. If it had not been for the co »operative system the Otago Central Railway would not have been as far as Omakau to»day, for men in Otago had at times needed employment and it being recognised by the Public Works Department that the railway required to be finished, another fifty men had been put on from time to time. The Premier went on to remark upon tile prosperity of the colony as shown by the excess of exports over imports, and as Colonial Treasurer congratulated the people on the fact that there would be a substantial surplus. Compared with the corresponding period of last year to the end of October of this year there was an increase in the revenue of £64,000, This

would enable half a million to be transferred from the consolidated revenue to the Public Works fund. Such being the caae he felt sure that many more Biiles of railway, many more bridges, and many more roads would be opened Now that the railway was completed tiiey wanted produce to carry on it, and they wanted more water to enable the fruitgrowing eapacity of the soil and climate to be fully utilised. He advocated much more tree planting, especially forests to break the wind. Sir Joseph Ward said he regretted tint the Minister of Works, under WBOB e adininistration came the carrying out of this work, was unable through official duties to be present that day. The people of Central Otago, however, were most concerned in further prosecuting the railway with renewed "rig* to a point where there eouid be no doubt as to its payableness

«ad ite material benefit to the people of Central Otago.-£A Voice : " CromweJL") He believed that the majority of people would say that they would ncrer be content with the railway until it reached Clyde, and it was his own opinion that it oufcbt to go there. Of coarse, he n#onub*d that every time a rauway was carried to a certain .point there were al way* some people who wanted it carried further. It was true that they had 2,400 miles of railway in the colony, equipped io ever* direction with engine power and, *tjr ling stock, coating tb« cowpajratarjeiy nuSi. sum of £B,OOO per mile, andi yet there were men who held the belief

that the Government ought, comparatively without money, to construct pfy ways in difficult places. It wa« sometimes averted that the Government were spending, and yet the whole of the railways in the colony to-day had cost lees hy one-thud tnan one railway in Canada that had been constructed in that Dominion by a public company. He ventured to say that the men who were carrying out the railways of this colony to-day were only en the threshold of what would be required for its future use and development. Was it to be said that because they had some pessimistic people among them, or beaune the financial barometer might

cause w«» ■"■■'•" . . "T point to an unsteady position, or be* cause they had to temporarily steady affairs in this colony, that they were going to abow that tney had not the attributes that had made the name of Britons respected wherever they had gone? Was it to be said that because they were sometimes sternly criticised they were going to turn their backs on the carrying out of a Public Works policy that it had taken many years to carry to the pdint at which they were celebrating that day? Wheover was in office in the next twenty five years would still be making railway* for the we of the people of thw colony. What a grand thing it would be if it were possible for a Ooverntnent to transfer the whole of the men working on any one of the three trunk lines to CM of teen U mo, and so cany that

Vue to completion, and then toretransfe•• the whole of the men to another ; I'ne \'"i complete it, and bo on, so that the whiefels 'hat were going over these 'it e-s would be. returning something to the Treasury !—(Cheers.) One of the difficulties, however, that coufronted the Administration of the day was that many of the centres in New Zealand expected the branch lines under construction in New Zealand, for some of which as low an appropriation as £SOOO had been made, whilst the highest amount was £150,000, for the Northern trunk line. As a matter of policy, if it could be done, it would pay the colony to build the Otago Central -tnd the Northern Trunk within eighteen months and the Midland Railway within two years. One of these days, when money would be cheaper than it was at present, he believed they would find a broad and vigorous policy of that kind put in operation, and so much the better for the colony and the people as a whole. That day they were consummating the completion of a further link of the Otago Central Railway, and the time would come when they would be able to witness the completion of additional links in the railway communication of the interior, thus adding to its usefulness as a whole, at the same time increasing the comfort and happiness of tho people, as well as developing the manifold resources of the province. Mr Herdman, member for th 9 district, said that day was a day of rejoicing, a day on which the farmers and settlers had met together for the purpose of celebrating what was unquestionably a red-letter day in their career. Much as he (Mr Herdman) would have liked to have replied to a number of inaccurate observations mada bv an eminent statesman at

Naseby on the previous night, he would refrain from doing so, because the Premier had laid down the maxim that politics were to be eschewed on such an occasion. They had heard a great deal that day about railways, and there was one work he wished to refer to. He had already brought it under the notice of the Minister of Works. He alluded to the road through Thompson's Gorge. A number of Hawea Flat and Tarras people held a different view, but others said that if that road was completed at an expenditure of JESOOO the whole of Hawea Flat and Tarras would be brought into direct communication with Dunedin at once.—(A. Voice: " They cou'd bring it all on a wheelbarrow.") He did not care what they thought or what they said, his view was this: If that road was completed, instead of bringing

Hawea Flat and Tarras into communication with Dunedin in twenty years, they would do it in two years. He had endeavoured to impress that view on the mind of the Government, and if they had a proper regard for the expenditure of public money they would put a sum on the Estimates next year for the construction of that road.—(A Voice : "No good." Another Voice : " It's madness.'') It had been said in the papers that this road was too high, and in winter time would be blocked by snow. That might be so for two months. He would make this suggestion in order to convince the Premier that that road was practicable: He would take an equestrian journey with him across Thompson's Gorge, and if i the right hon. gentleman preferred it they would go on Sunday.—(The Premier: '* No; not on Sunday.") Much as he was opposed to the right hon. gentleman in politics, he was so friendly disposed to him that at the risk of his life he would take him across that range of mountains and demonstrate to him that the road was practicable. He congratulated the people on the completion of the line. In concluding the public opening of tbe section, the Premier read, amid applause, a telegram which he had just received from the sub-editor of the Dunedin "Star" announcing a substantial advance in the prices of wool on the London market. !

AT OHATTO CHEEK. After the ceremony at the railway station, the Premier proceeded on horseback to ObaJ&to Creek, being ac* companied thither by a large number of the visitors- By tbe time the Premier arrived, there was a very large gathering in front of the schoolhouso. TbePrejnier was welcomed by Mr H Seddon, president of the local branch of tb<* Liberal and Labour Federation, who in the course of a speech appreciative of the good work done by the Premier and tbe Liberal Government, invited the Premier to present the branch with the charter. The Premier, it) reply, said the chief object of bis visit to Cbatto was, in his capacity as president of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand, to present a charter to the local branch of the Federation—an organisation that in the puht hud done excellent work for tho colony as a whole, and, he might add, had a great work before it; since if ever there was a necessity for combination with a view of holding on to tho progressive laws the present Government had put on, tbe Statute Book, now was the time, Having referred at some length to the various Administrations who had occupied office prior to tho Liberal Government being entrusted with tho reins of power, and to the necesaity for the legislation which had since boon introduced and passed in the hope of preventing the aggregation of large estates, the Premier said he believed that the time would come in this colony when an Act would be passed making it illegal for any person holding large tracts of country now to be able lawfully to ipcreaße their holdings. When there "were people who held these large tracts of couutry while thousands were unable to get an acre, bo thought' it time that Parliament

stopped the aggregation of these large estates. He defended the co-operative system of constructing public works, and said it had gone on improving until to-day it was satisfactory to the Government, the workers, and thei colony alike. If anything above J wages could be made, the workers were entitled to it, and not contractors. From what he saw that day, he could say that the work done on the line was a credit to the workmen, and would not cost more than if done by contract; besides which it was better done. 11 And." added the Premier, "I think we are now about square, boys." (Applause). Referring to the High Commissionership, the Premier said the Oppositionists seemed to be very anxious to get rid of him, but he would not give them the satisfaction of telling them whether he was going to London or not. If his health permitted he could do better work for the colony while he remained in it. As to the colony's outlook, he invited them to consider the enhanced value of products. Butter, which was once selling at 4d, was now lOd, and advices received that day from Home as to the last wool sale showed an increase in value that meant

£200,000 extra to Oanterbury alone, or about a million sterling to the pastoralists of the colony as a whole. The grading of flax and butter, the aiding of the dairying industry, and the general governing of our products on scientific lines were helping to put on their feet many of the very people who condemned the Government. Mr Seddon then proceeded to present the charter, which he said was the *' charter of liberty," and explained the tenets of the Federation, in which members joined for mutual support and improvement, pledging themselves to that grand old Flag that had ever been the emblem of liberty and justice, banding themselves to support the Liberal Government, and endeavouring to pass liberal laws and to give the people their first rights. These were proper objects to band together for. Unity

j — - - „ was strength. There was no necessity for organsation amongst the Conservatives ; their own selfish ends constituted a combination in itself. But tbe unity of the Federation provided means of social intercourse and intellectual advancement, besides offering opportunities for much practical work. Mr Seddon went on to say that soon we would see one of the most desperate political struggles that had ever taken place in tbe colony, and he wished to meet organisation with organisation, for only with the organisation of the masses could the true interests of the people be preserved. The Premier spoke for an hour and a-half, and his remarks were frequently applauded. The President of the Branch, in receiving the charter, made an appropriate speech. He hoped that the Branch would be a power for good, and he hoped they would all follow in the footsteps of the Premier, who had done so much for the workers,

Subsequently the party adjourned to the schoolroom, where an excellent repast was laid. The many good things having been done ample justice to, a number of toasts were proposed, and duly honoured. After the usual loyal toast, Mr J. H. M ( Alpine proposed j " The Premier," in an appropriate i speech. The Premier replied in a lengthy speech, thanking those present' for the cordiality with which he hadi been received. In the course of his remarks, the hon. gentleman referred at length to education matters He said our system of education (which i now enabled the sons of the poorest people to go through to the secondary schools and universities) as the greatest boon that had ever been conferred on any country, and he urged every one to see that their children received a proper education. An attempt was being made to introduce a denominational system, and, if he had to go on every platform in the colony, he would warn the people against the evil of allowing the present system to be interfered with. Why could not the clergy mind their own business and leave the education system alone ? He paid a high tribute to the teachers in the public service ; and in speaking of the Public Works department, he said the Government was fortunate in having first-class officers in charge. The Premier's reference to Mr J. H. Lewis, engineer in charge of the Otago Central Works, was received by the audience with cheers and the singing of " He's a Jolly Good Fellow," Other toasts were dealt with as follows:—" The Government of New Zealand," proposed by Mr A. R. Barclay, and responded to by the Hon. Mr Seddon; " The Ladies," proposed in a happy, though somewhat lengthy, speech, by the Hon. Mr Seddon, and responded to by Mr J. H. Lewis; " The Liberal and Liberal Federation," proposed by Mr H, Seddon, and responded to by the Hon. Mr Soddon; and "The Press," proposed by Mr J. Itothwell. The proceedings closed about 7 p.m. by the singing of " Auld Lang Syne," and the Premier was heartily cheered as he mounted his steed and started the return ride to Ophir.

BANQUET AT OPHIR. In tlio evening the Premier was etr tortuiuod afc a banquet, which wuh hold in Mik Donnelly's billiard*room, about 80 being present; Ah tho Premier had a considerable amount of correspondence to attond to, it wan 9.15 before the proceedings commenced. Mr J. Pitches oocupiod tho chair, whilst Mr B. Flannery filled tho vice-chair. Amqjjg those present wore Messrs D. ReidTjT. Bennet, and A. L. Herdman. M.fift's. The toast of " The King " having been duly honored, Mr Mark Cohen (editor Evening Star*) rose to

propose the toast of " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." In the course of an excellent speech, Mr Oohen said he hoped colonists would never be led astray by the statement that a colonial navy would be sufficient defence in time of adversity, for our dependence must ever be on the Imperial Navy. He approved the policy of the Def. hce Minister in not passing over colonials of oroved experience for importations

from Home when considering colonial appointments. The attention paid to the cadet movement was the most praiseworthy. The toast was responded to by Major Logan, of the Maniototo Mounted Rifles, who advocated a scheme of military training such as obtained in Switzerland. Major Logan entirely con* curred with Mr Cohen's expressed opinions as to the Imperial Navy. Mr J. J. Ramsay proposed the toast of " The Otago Central Railway," and in dninn on aoirl f.Viia tvoa f.Vio aannnti

in doing so said tms was tne second official opening of the railway of which he had the honor to be secretary. In the course of his remarks, the speaker said he hoped the Government would see to it that more land in the interior would be made available for settlement He also suggested that the name of the railway station should be changed to "Vincent," in honor of the late Hon. Vincent Pyke, who had done so much for the railway ; or, as an alternative, " Leaskville," in honor of the oldest settler.

Mr A. R. Barclay responded to the toast, and, in the course of a happy speech, he said that the officers and men who had carried the work out should not be forgotten, picking out for special mention Mr J. H. Lewis, the engineer in charge of the construction of the line. Mr Barclay went on to say that what he had seen of Central Otago proved the necessity for farther pushing on the railway, to which the Premier had virtually committed himself during the day's proceedings. " And," said Mr Barclay, " when the Premier commits bimself, it maybe takftn for granted that the promise made will be fulfilled."

Mr Jas. Horn, County Chairman, proposed the toast of " The Guest of the Evening and the Visitors," in an appropriate speech.

The toast was responded to by the Premier, who spoke for 35 minutes. The greater part of an excellent speech consisted of a justification of the annexation of the Cook Islands. The toast of "Commercial Interests" was entrusted to Mr A. L. Herdman, who advocated the stimulating of our young people to greater activity in commercial and other matters. The Government's legislation was in the direction of inducing young people to do less work, whereas they should be encouraged to work sixteen hours a day. (A Voice: " Vou can't do it yourself.") Mr Herdman said he could and did.

The toast was responded to by Messrs B. Naylor (Clyde) and B. Flannery (Ophir). The latter advocated the need of opening up for settlement more land in the district, and he said that from Clyde to St. Bathans (a distance of forty miles) the land was in the hands of three persons, and the people who wanted to settle couldn't get an acre of it. This land was suit-* able for agricultural purposes and could be cut up for settlement. The toast of " The Committee " was proposed by the Premier, who paid Mr Ramsay a high compliment in connection with the management of the day's proceedings. In reply to Mr Flan* nery's remarks, the Premier said that some leases would shortly fall in; others could be determined; and he was fully persuaded that population must be settled on the lands of the interior.

At this stage (about midnight) the Premier left, saying that he had a hard day's work, would have a hard day's work on the morrow; and that a little sleep would be refreshing. The toast of " The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests" was proposed by Mr George Fenwick (editor of the " Daily Times ") in one of the best and most appropriate speeches of the evening. In alluding to the Premier's speech, the speaker said he had heard Mr Seddon speak in many different assemblages, but that night the Premier had sounded an Imperial note with a force, vigour, and eloquence which he (the speaker) had never heard before. The toast was responded to by Messrs R. Rutherford (Ida Valley) and A. 0. Iverson (Earnscleugh). Mr Iverson, in the course of his remarks, urged the speedy completion of the railway; and he said if the railway had been completed when it was promised, the valley from Alexandra upwards would now have thousands of settlers. Mr J. Bennet, M.H.R., proposed the •' Mining Interests," which was responded to by Messrs J. Ewing and T. 0. Donnelly. The toast,of "The Hostess," pio> posed by Mr Ramsay, was received with applause. Mr T. Donnelly responded. During the evening songs were given by the Right Hon. Mr Seddon (" New Zealand's Volunteers"), and Mr D. Hutton ; whilst Messrs J. R. Kirk and J. J. Ramsay contributed recitations. Mr 0. 0. Hutton presided ably at the piano. SOCIAL AT OMAKAU. A largely-attended social was held the same evening in the Ornakau hall, visitors being present from all parts of the district. Dancing was indulged in till about 3 o'clock next morning to excellent music supplied by the Morgan Family. DEPUTATIONS. Before leaving Ophir, the Premier was interviewed by a deputation, con-

Jsisting of Messrs J. Ewing &hd 3. jFlannery, who brought under the I Premier's notice two requests from the j Blacks district. In the first place, the I Government were asked to acquire the j Bonanza water rights for the purposes Jof mining and irrij>ation. This water is proposed to be taken from the Manorburn and brought into Blacks by way of the rear of Galloway station. The company, it appears, have for the present stopped operations, and this was deemed a suitable time for the Sbate to step in. The Premier advised the residents to get the rights put under offer, and in the meantime he would get a report as to the cost of finishing the scheme.—The other Bub ject was the need for a footbridge over the Manuherikia, so as to shorten the distance (about two miles) between the old township of Ophir and the new settlement at Omakau. The deputation fcaid the residents thought they had a claim for a bridge because of the engineers bringing in the railway line on the opposite side of the river and isolating the old township. Mr Seddon answered that though he did not regard the work as important, he saw it would be of benefit, especially to school children, and if the residents would raise half the cost he would ask the Minister of Works to recommend a vote for the other half.