LAST SPIKE DRIVEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 3

LAST SPIKE DRIVEN.

STRATFORD LINE OPENED. CEREMONY AT HAEO. PRIME MINISTER OFFICIATES. ; (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) STRATFORD, this day. The Stratford-Main Trunk railway is completed after over 30 years of effort, 'and the ceremony of driving the last spike took place at Haeo to-day in brilliant weather and in the presence of three thousand people. It i was performed by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, with whom were associated the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and the Hon. R. Masters. Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., Leader of tho Opposition, was also in attendance, as were Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., the member for the district, and several other members of Parliament, who made the journey through from Wellington last night. The majority of the Parliamentarians spent the night at Taumarunui. This morning a special train, the first to make the through journey, left Taumarunui. It was well filled with citizens and representatives of local bodies and other organisations. Aβ the journey progressed public men and others joined tho train at various points, particularly at Oliura and Matiere. Another train left Stratford at 8 a.m., and the two trains met at Haeo, where the last spike was driven by the Prime Minister.

After the epike-driving ceremony, both trains came to Tangarakau, where luncheon was partaken of, and several addresses delivered. Many of those present from the eastern end then left on their return to Taumarunui and stations en route, while the remainder joined the Stratford train to take part in the official opening of the motor road to the Plateau on the Stratford side of Mount Egmont, which runs to a height of 4000 ft, providing one of the finest motor drives in the Dominion. This ceremony will be performed late in the afternoon by the Hon. R. Masters.

A banquet is to be held at Stratford this evening.