THE LAST SPIKE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 111, 6 November 1908, Page 8

THE LAST SPIKE.

TO-DAY'S CEREMONY ON THE MAIN-TRUNK. {By Telegraph.) (From. Our Special Reporter.) TAUMARANUI, This Day. Four decades sinoe, the big mind of a big man, proving into the future, dreamed a dream. To-day, at 9.3 a.m., on the Manganui-o-te-ao Bridge, beyond Ohakune, that dream, after much travail, materialised when the Prime Minister, compassed by political and commercial representatives of this island, with a hammer, fine sentiment, and much glad cheering, at the invitation of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones (Minister for Railways), drove a silver-mounted spike 'home to destiny, so riveting the last link in the great chain of the North Island Main Trunk Railway. When the last, echoes died away the rail heads •were clamped up to steel gyves that will for ever bind Auckland and the Capital City, and rolling plains, mountain and river valleys, in fetters for the well-being of the native born. With a few hammer clangs the North and South gripped hands to a shouting paean of cheerp. After a race through the night, the Auckland train, with several miles further to go, reached the scene of action ten minutes earlier than the Wellington "special," which was delayed several times by an obstinate hot-box. The weather, which had been very fickle since leaving Longburn, smiled and frowned in very constant fashion with heavy showers. A large crowd lined the embankment's viaduct from the surrounding settlements, the special passing one train load at Ohakune, filled with "mum, dad, the boys, girls, and bafiies, ' all happy. On either side, turther back, the forest primeval reared its giant children, rimus, totaras, and kindred stalwarts, standing up side by side, to see the consummation of a national project. The blackened trunks of scorched timber lent a depressing touch to the scene which the downfall of rain accelerated, but it was a joyful proceeding nevertheless. The.arrival of Sir Joseph Ward and party was greeted with enthusiasm. Mr. Hall-Jones opened the proceedings by expressing his gratification at his good fortune in being able to take part in the conclusion of a work of such magnitude. He emphasised the difficulties that attended the initial stages of *the work, and eulogised the officers and workmen under him. Great credit was due to the old pioneers, he said, who set the ball rolling, and followed each branch line into the back blocks. It was, he added, fitting that Sir Joseph Ward, as Prime Minister, should perform the last act of such a national ceremony, as Sir Robert Stout, as Prime Minister, had turned the first sod of the railway. After some further speakers had added, their quota, the spike was handed to Sir Joseph. He congratulated the Dominion of New Zealand, and pointed out amid enthusiasm that the line now completed should be regarded as only a link in the great railway system of the Dominion. Such a line as this, he continued, felicitating Mr. Hall-Jones, should be looked updn .as a national undertaking. The Government intended to pursue a vigorous policy of railway construction for the purpose of facilitating and aiding back country settlement. Congratulations had been received from Lord Plunket and the Wellington City Council. Concluding, the speaker said that, if difficulties should occur between Auckland and Wellington commercial men, they should be made to come where rail heads met and settle them there. - The spike was then driven home, and the final blow joined Wellington and Auckland by bonds of steel amid cheers for all, from Sir Joseph Ward to the navvies. The two specials were merged in one, and left for Auckland immediately.

The weather just now has as many moods as the politicians who are waking the welkin night and day. The people are getting all kinds of politics, and they are getting all kinds of weather. However, the elements are uniformly eccentric. The tricks are not reserved for any special locality ; the northerlies and southerlies are having their little jokes at everybody's expense. This morning Wellington had lovely sunshine, and then winter arrived at the gallop, on the back of a southerly, and heavy rain thrashed the landscape. Other districts of New Zealand, North and South, had a similar visitation. Rev. D. Russell concluded his address to business men at the V.M.C.A. to-day, speaking on the passage, "Let your light so shine before all men that they may see your good ' works and glorify the Father." Regret was expressed that these helpful talks in the lunch hour had come to an end. Mr. Russell's closing meeting will be held in the Town Hall at 4 p.m. on Sunday. At an open-air meeting, convened by the No-License party for to-morrow evening, at the corner of Cuba-street and Ingestre-street, the Rev. R. J. Liddell and Mr. G. Andrews, of Ashburton, will be the speakers. Mr. Andrews has been a resident in Ashburton for about 35 years. Dairy produce is now coming forward in increasing quantities. The Athenic, which left for London yesterday, is carrying away 33,674 boxes of butter and 6822 crates of cheese. A Navy League notice appears in another column regarding the illustrated address to be given by Lieut. Knox (late R.N.) at the Town Hall on Saturday night. Front seats are being reserved for members up till 7.50 p.m., after which time the whole of the hall will be thrown open to the public. It is desired by the league that as many as possible may have an opportunity of hearing such a fine speaker as Lieut. Knox, and it has been decided to make no charge for admission. Mr. Rowley is to play appropriate organ selections, and will also play incidental music during the kinematograph display. Juveniles are not to be admitted unless accompanied by adults. The officer commanding tlie <3asfcriofc ba.s signified his approval of anjr volunteers attending appearing in 1 uniform. Officers in uniform are to be accommodated in reserved seats. Prints, cambrics, and zephyrs are being offered by Messrs. D. S. Patrick Mid Co., Cuba-street and Oourtenay-pI*CQ