Bay of Plenty Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1924 RAILWAY OPENING.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8525, 23 February 1924, Page 2

Bay of Plenty Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1924 RAILWAY OPENING.

The railway bridge is on the eve of completion, the rails have reached the wharf, and the plate-

laying is being pushed on rapidly to the station yard. The Department’s officials anticipate that the line will be ready for opening about Easter, and in view of the progress made it seems reasonable to assume that not later than that date we will have a regular train service running to and from the town. But is there any reason why, seeing that the railway has reached the town, we should not have a temporary platform and a regular train service immediately ? The Department, it is true, has definitely declined to erect a permanent platform in the vicinity of the Strand, and with that decision wc are bound, in view of all the circumstances, to agree, hut there seems no reason why we should not have something of a temporary nature, which would enable a train service to be run without further delay. That is a matter to which the Borough Council and the Chamber of Commerce might give some attention. Apart from that, however, is the move important matter of the inauguration of a permanent train service when the station buildings and appurtenances are complete, and in connection with that inauguration, the official opening of the harbour bridge. It is an event of no little importance, demanding a fitting celebration, and it is none too soon to put in hand the necessary arrangements. That citizens will heartily co-operate in carrying out such a function goes without saying, and the Mayor, as the Chief Citizen, will no doubt take an early opportunity of calling a public meeting to discuss and decide as to the best means of suitably celebrating such an event.