RAILWAY EXTENSION TO EKETAUHUNA.

Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 84, 9 April 1889, Page 2

RAILWAY EXTENSION TO EKETAUHUNA.

The Mangamahoo to Ekotahuna section of tho "Wellington-Woodvillo Railway was formally opened for traffic yesterday when an excursion train loft Wellington at 8.20 for the through run with about 130 passengers on board, most of them guosts of Mr. M. Danahcr, tho contractor, who had arranged to celebrate tho completion of his work by a uncheon at Eketahuna. The company included the Ministers of Publio Works and Lands, the Hon. E. Richardson, Mr. G. S. Cooper, Under-Seoretary, Mr. S. Brown, ex Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Blair, Aoting-Enginoer-in-Chief, Mr. M'Kerrow, Chief Commissioner of Railways, Mr. Hannay, Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Connal, engineer, and other gontlemon, with a fair number of ladies. At tho Hntt, Sir William Fitzhorbort, Mr. Fitzherbert, M.H.R., and others joined the party, additions to which were mado at Eovoral stations; and at Master ton, whero the Mayor of that Borough and # a very large number of excursionists joined, several additional carriages had to bo put on, so that altogether the number of visitors on board reached about 300. The day was warm and calm, and the run through was muoh enjoyed by all. At Mangamahoe tho engino was gaily dooorated with flags and evergreens. The train was 32 minutes' lato in reaohing Ekotahuna, where great preparations had been made. Tho whole of tho population of the surrounding dißtriot wore there iv their best, two archos of overgreens had been erected over tho line, and flogs flew everywhere. On alighting tho visitors found tho Mayor of Wellington, Mr. Menloath, M.H.R., and Mr. Smith, M.H.R., awaiting them. At Mr. Danahor's iuvjtar fciou the guests at once proceeded to Parsons' Hotel, whero the spacious billiard-room adjoining had been converted into a luucheontoom, capable of comfortably beating Mr. Danahor's invited guests, who numborod about 140. It had be.en intended by tby residents to have also a publio lunoli, but, unfortunately, some misunderstanding arose through an arrangement being made, while Mr. Danahor was in town, about amalgamating the two. Ho fir»t heard of thia on arriving with tho train, and found it itupoiaiblo to admit tho publio without iv» oouvenioncing hiß own guests, which he declined to do. Thoro was, therefore, no publio luncheon, whioh caused groat disappointment. Tho lunch providod by Mr. Parsons for Mr. Danahor was ono of tho bost and most liberal we havo over seen spread. City caterers for suoh entertainments might wall take a losson from their oountry competitor. At Mr. Danahor's request, Sir William Fitzherbert oooupied the chair, supported on his right by tho Minister of Publio Works, tho Minister of Lands,, an 4 Mossrs. Buchanan, Smith, and Fitzherbert, M.H.R.'s, »nd on his left by the Mayors of Wolfington and Maßtwton and Mr. Monteath, M.H.R.' The good things so amply provided having been done fulljustioe to by the rather hungry visitors, the Chairman proposed the health of " Her Majesty the Queen," and also that of " The Prince of Wales and Royal Family," both of which wero duly honoured. Tho Chairman next proposod what he said was the toast of tho day, " Success to Railway Extension in New Zealand." Ho had been delighted with his visit, and surprised at tho progress of settlement ho had witnessed. To thoso who remembered tho early day s of tho province it must be a souroo of tho greatest gratification to see such progross. A few years-ago tho place they wore now at was dense bush, which oould only be roaohed or penetrated with difficulty. Now tlioy camo there easily and rapidly by rail, and wero reoeived by what was really a crowd of prosperous residents. Suoh a. ohanqo was calculated to inspire hopo for tho futuro, as well as causo peoplo to bo grateful for what had already been accomplished. He oouplod with the toast tho name of tho Minister of Public Works. Tho toast wan honoured with cheers. The Hon. Mr. Mitoholson, in replying, first apologised for tho unavoidable abaonco of the Premier. Ho was glad, howover, to see Kir W. Fitzherbert present, as he rocofiiiieod in him tho true pioneor of railways in New Zealand. Ho too was pleased with the progress of settlement in tho Bush district, which cvidoutly hg,d h, great f'uturo before it, for in no part of the polony wwj bettor land to bo found. It oould support ij. large population. In time, no doubt, tho railway would be carried on to Woodville, but he regretted that no further appropriation for its extension had yet been mado by Parliament. He wished the district every suocess, and had no doubt tho railway would advance their prosperity. (Applause.) Mr. W. C. Smith, M.H.R., proposed tho health of the Railway Commissioners, to whose charge Parliament had confided tho working of the railways, and who, bpr judicious management, could do so much to advance the welfare of* tho oolony. Tho Bottlers hailed tho opening of this line with pleasure, and were glad to welcome bo many distinguished visitors. He had no doubt tho railway would promote settlement in tho Bush. It was really wonderful how many settlers were coming there, and he frequently had applications from persons in othor parts of tho oolony dosirous of coming to settles thero. .Groat credit was duo to Mr. Boetham, the former momfyer fyr the Bush district, for pushing on in tho Parlianvon^ the construction of this line, and also to Mr. Buohan^u, while later on he himself had been privileged to assist. Mr. M'Kerrow, Chief Commissioner, in reply, said that the Board was new to office, bat its members recognised tho magnitude of their responsibilities, and wore most desirous of working in harmony with tho settlers to promote the welfare of tho colony. Although the Bush line stopped at Eketahuna for the present, every pwfc of the district was now practically within reaoh fif railway communication. Tho distriot possessed a aystom of admirable roads connecting with tho Napier line at one side and with tho Wellington lino at the othor. Ho had no .doubt the present extension would prove profitable. TJieD} prap withip four miles of them, on the banks of tijfi Mangatainoko, a largo extent of Bplondwl totara forest, and ho hoped it would in duo time be converted into timber to be carried by the railway. He apologised for the unavoidable absonoe of Mr. Commissioner Maxwell. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. Dnthie) said he bad the pleasant task of asking them to drink tho health of their host, Mr. Danaher, the contractor for the sootion of line they had just travelled over. The contract was an extraordinarily diflioult one, and Mr. Danaher had to encounter great obstaoles, amongst others exceptionally wet seasons, in carrying it out. He had, however, overcome all difficulties, and done his work in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. It was pleasant to Bee puch great works oxeouted by a man who was practically a colonist, for Mr. Danaher arrived in tho colonies when quite a child, and had learned all he knew of railway construction in this colony. They were grateful to him for Mb kindness that day and wished him all prosperity. The toast was honoured with musical honours and cheers. Mr. Danaher said if ever in his life he was in a fix it was at that moment, for hp could not find words in which to express hjs feelings. AH he eonld say was that he most gladly welcomed them all, and was honpupod by the presenoe of so many kind faces and the expressions of congratulation on all sides. The work had been a diflioult ono to carry out, and hod taxed his ability to the utmost, but no was amply rewarded in that now, when completed, it gave satisfaction. If they felt he had done his duty as a contractor, as well as in the capacity of their host on the present occasion, he was well pleased. (Cheers). The Mayor of Masterton (Mr. Renall) briefly proposed, "The Engineers of the Line, highly eulogising the manner in which they had laid it out through suoh a difficult oountry. He coupled the name of Mr, Blair with the toast. Mr. W. N. Blair, in responding, said they used to make long speeches when opening lontr lines of railway. They had opened only a short line that day, and his speeoh would bo correspondingly brief. Whatever oredit for laying off the lino was duo, was due to Mr. Connall and his assistant, Mr. Luff, not to himself. Before sitting down he wished to endorse all that had been said as to Mr. Danaher'B merits as a contractor. Ho got on well with everyone, and took a pride in his work, the result being that it was always well done. The Mayor of Masterton (Mr. Renall) proposed "The Health of the Chairman." He and Sir William Fitzherbert were old colonists, and had had many political battles but each had always done what they thought best for the interests of the colony, however they had differed sometimes as to the means. They were, with two others, the only survivors of the eighteen gentlemen who formed the first Provincial Council of Wellington. The province owed muoh to Sir William Fitzherbert. The toast was drunk with cheers. Sir William Fitzherbert thanked them for the kind way his name was received, and tho propoßer for the manner in which ho had mentioned it. He and Mr. Eenall had often crossed swords in politics, but they had learned to respect each othor, as men always wero respected, in any walk of life, who invariably ran straight. He again alluded to his pleasant experiences and his pleasure in taking part in the interesting ceremonies of that day. This conclnded the proceedings, during which Mr. Pearson's Masterton band played ontside. The return train left at 4.25, amidst cheers from the crowd. After a pleasant uneventful run, town was reached at 9.25, The railway arrangements reflected ereat credit on Mr. B. Dawson, the Traffic Manager, who accompanied the train, and was indefatigable in his attention to the convenience of all the excursionists.