EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1361, 12 February 1912, Page 6

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

GOVERNOR TURNS FIRST SOD. CEREMONY AT GISBORNE END. IBi Telccraoh.—i*rcs3 Association.! Gisborne, February 11. The first sod at (he northern end of the GMinriic-Napior railway was turned by (he Governor yesterday. Lord Islington said this was the most important function of tho many he had been invited to perforin in Gisborne. He was instructed I hat the lino would puss through considerable natural obstacles, but, looking broadly over the Dominion, and taking into consideration the short time comparatively that this Dominion had been a British colony, the mileage in railways was highly creditable to the piviplc of NewZealand. That day's ceremony, he., hoped, would form a new era to the whole trade and prosperity of Gisborne and its •neighbourhood. Ho thought that all might bo fully assured by the duplicate ceremony at Napier a few days ago that there would be for certain from this date a simultaneous development at both ends of the line, and he hoped for the early completion of the work. Proceeding, his Excellency congratulated tho district upon its increased population aud increased trade and commerce. He commented favourably upon the marked development in the cultivated area in thn neiglilwurhuod of Gisborno and tho corresponding increase of settlers established in the district. This had all taken place in recent years, in spite of the fact that the district was without through railway transport. He thought it was of great credit to the people that such progress had been made. Now that they had reached this stage of robust maturity, railway facilities were of urgent importance, and he realised the benefits that would lie obtained therefrom. It was also urgently needed still further to develop the splendid land that he had passed through, and thus add to the sinews of commerce of Gisborne and the. whole Dominion. (Applause.)' Tho Mayor, Mr. W. Pettie, in thanking his Excellency, commented on the fact that this was not his first occasion on which a railway had been started in Gisborne, for twelve years ago the then Premier turned the first sod of the Gisborne-Opotiki railway, which had now reached Motu, some io miles away, and had been of considerable benefit. In concluding, tho Mayor, on behalf of the. district, presented the Governor with a gold spado suitably inscribed. The representatives of other local bodies spoke, including Mr. J. HunterDrown, chairman of the Wairoa County Council, and also Mr. G. W. Williams and Mr. D. White, representing the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. In laying the foundation stone of tho new hospital later, the Governor raid he thought it was a good thing to have legislation combining the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. Ho thought the public was better situated here than in England, where tho hospitals had to depond for a considerable part upon public subscriptions. The Governor was presented with a silver trowol to perform the ceremony.