DEFERRED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 October 1908, Page 5

DEFERRED.

OPENING OF MAIN TRUNK SERVICE. Tho opening of the two-days' railway servico between Wellington and Auckland has been deferred for a week. In accordance with telegraphed orders received from tho Prime Minister yesterday, the first train will now run through, leaving Wellington On the evening of Monday, November 9 (King's Birthday). On the following evening, i commemorative banquet will be held in Wellington, following which an invitation train will leave for Makatote. The train is timed to reach that township at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, and there the last spike of tho railway will be driven, and speeches mado which must conclude by 8.30 a.m., to allow the train to reach Auckland at a proper time the same evening. The ceremony to Be held at Makatote can hardly prove very impressive or inviting. No sleeping cars will be available for the trip, ana the stiff, tired, half-washed travellers who turn out at 8 a.m. to make or listen to sleepy speeches, with the prospect of a long day's travelling' before them, will require tho .spirits of Mark Tapley to feel much enthusiasm. There will be another brief rest from journeying, and an opportunity for ablutions and early luncheon, at Taumaranui, distant a three hours' journey. The special train from Auckland will leave about the usual time on Tuesday, and passongers will spend the night at Taumaranui. There they will have to breakfast at 5 a.m. next day, in order that the traiii may arrive at Makatote in time for tho official ceremony at 8 a.m. Taumaranui is,likely,to. experience,; on the Wednesday," tho 'most .important, day, of all its history, seeing that the'two'speci'al" trains may well bring 400 visitors to. try its hospitality. There are four boardinghouses at Taumaranui, and, if present arrangements hold, thoy will doubtless be very busy perfecting their accommodation and laying' in largo stocks of .viands'before the great day comes. It is possible that a special train may be arranged' to leave Auckland, on tho Tuesday night, and run right thfpugh..to Makatote, corresponding to the special: train.from Wellington, but it is suggested that, apart from the small expense of-the night's stay at Taumaranui, travellers; from the northern end will find it much more ponvenient to start earlier, and get a good-night's rest. Tho postponement of-tho opening of the service was made very suddenly, It is understood that the Railway. Department's official timetable was ready for issue, giving particulars of the service as from November 2, and that now the alteratioif can only be announced by special inset". ' Under tho new arrangement, the servico 'Trill not commence till after the heavy traffic of the Manawatu Show, which takes place on November 4, 5, and 6. This is an advantage to the Department, and it is also stated that every week now sees the completion of further rolling stock in the Petone workshops.