THE Grey River Argus, PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1887. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. TURNING THE FIRST SOD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5809, 25 January 1887, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus, PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1887. THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. TURNING THE FIRST SOD.

Yesterday, in honor of the memorable | event of turniug the first sod of the Midland Railway, had been proclaimed a general holiday at the wish of the citizens of Greymouth, and, generally speaking, all places of business were closed. The morning opened with an overcast sky, but the air was remarkably close and* i oppressive. Bunting was flying on the few vessels that happened to bo in port* and similar displays here and there about the town, with crowds of people sauntering about during the morning imparted a holiday air to the town, and showed that something out of the common was to take place during the day. A special timetable had baen prepared, and every available passenger carriage and railway truck that could be made available for the occasion were got in readiness for the accommodation of the enormous crowd expected to travel between Greymouth and Brunnerton during the day, but especially by the train whioh was to precede the ceremony of turning the first sod. The general public had nothing to complain of in the way of trains, which ran from shortly after seven in the morning until lpm, which was the last available train for those desirous of witnessing the turning of the first sod, though other trains ran to and fro, between Greymouth and Brunner until nine o'clock at night. A special train at 1.45 p m had been laid on for the accommodation of the representatives of Government, of the company, and of the contractors, together with all invited guests. Those who went by this train were not so numerous as to tax the accommodation, anil a pleasant ride to Brunnerton followed. From thence the majority had to find their way as best they could to the Junction, where the first sod was to be turned. A mile and a half on a hot dusty road, beneath a sweltering sun — for the clouds rolled away and the sun shone out brightly after one o'clock — was not very Inviting. Happily a collection of miscellaneous vehicles turned up at the critical moment, and most of those by the special train found their way to the ground in time to witness the ceremony.* By this time an enormous crowd — enormous of course for this part of the world — had collected in the vicinity of a large wooden and corrugated iron store erected by the contractors. The lowest computation put the number at 2000. It seemed as if the half of Greymouth and the same proportion of the settlers in the vaUey were present, while the number of strange faces was very noticeable. All along the road from Brunnerton to the Junction the number of calico tents gave the place the appearance of a new rush. It was only the regularity of the cuttings and the systematic way in which the work was carried on showed that railway works were in progress. Ad j oining the contractors' store a small square of ground had been cleared of undergrowth, and fenced round with ferns and shrubs for the purpose of keeping back the crowd from interfering with the ceremony of turning the first sod. la the centre was the barrow and plank, the former shining with the lustre of polished mahogany, and at the end of the paddock was the device " Success to the Midland Railway." Some delay was occasioned at this stage, though the cause was not very obvious. In the meantime open seats at the side of the store had been provided for a number of ladies, including Mrs E. Richardson, • Mrs Alan Scott, Mrs Avigdor, Mrs Nancarrow, and a number of other ladies. A small platform had been prepared for the speakers on the occasion. 'Gradually the enclosure began to 'be filled with the celebrities of the dccassion. Among those present were — the Hon. Mr Richardson, Mr Brodie Hoare, chairman of directors, Messrs Avigdor (of M'Keone, Robinson, and Avigdor, contractors), Alan Scott, Wilson (head engineer for the contractors), Fell, and a number of others outside of Greymouth who were interested in the railway in some shape or other. Amongst the fellow-townsmen present were — the Mayor (Joseph Petrie, Esq.), Messrs Kennedy, Wickes, Kilgour, J. Kerr, and a number of others. Ultimately, Mr Brodie Hoare came forward, and addressing Mr Richardson, said — As one of the directors of this company, I have to ask you to be good enough to inaugurate your enterprise by turning the first sod of | this railway. I think that on an occasion of this kind the feeling with which we are. actuated is one of hope. We hope that when this railway is completed it may develop the resources of this country by connecting the east coast of Canterbury with the west coast of Westland and both with Nelspn. I may also express the hope that within a few years, instead of handing you a shovel with which to turn the first sod, we may meet at some point on this line, when I may hand you a hammer with which to drive the last spike In the railway which you are now inaugurating. I hare to thank you and your colleagues for the very great aid they have given us in smarting this great work. Mr Brodie Hoare thsn handed the shovel to Mr Richardson, who tamed the first sod of the Midland Railway amidst volleys of enthusiastic cheers from the immense crowd which watched the proceedings from without the enclosure. Having performed that part of the ceremony, Mr Richardson said, — Mr Brodie Hoare, Ladies and Gentlemen. — It. was with the greatest pleasure I accepted the invitation of the directors of the Midland Railway Company to perform the ceremony which yon have have just witnessed. The action of turning the first sod of this railway may seem a very trivial one, and one which might have been done better if placed in other hands, but the occasion is one, the importance of which can hardly be

estimated not only to the inhabitants of the districts which are more directly Interested, but to the whole of New Zealand. Ladies and gentlemen— The connection by railway of the East and West Coast of this island, and the West Coast I with Nelson, has been looked upon by me ever since the inauguration of the public works policy of Sir Julius Yogel in 1870 as one of its most important feature*, ,and I haye never, lost any opportunity of promoting its construction. Individnally I have always thought it was a railway which should have been constructed by the Government of the country, but such has been found to be impossible, and this is not the time or place to go into the reasons for ifc being handed over to a company to construct. I may congratulate the colony on having suoh a company as that which you and the local board represent here to-day, and although a very heavy undertaking it is one which, if to be constructed by a company could not be in the hands of one which, judging from the Btatus of the board of directors in London, is more likely to carry it out to a satisfactory conclusion. Ladies and gentlemen — I find I shall have another opportunity later on to-day to speak on this subject, so I shall not detain you here so long as I should feel it my duty to do, were it otherwise. I will, however, content myself for the present by stating that from the first day the " present Government took office they saw the necessity for developing the resources of this part of the island, and amongst other works have been- extremely anxious to see ihis railway put in hand as the best means of bringing that about. The government have persevered in this matter in face of all sorts of opposition, and it has fallen to the lot of Sir Julius Yogel and myself principally to have carried this question to the position it now is in. An 1 1 am requested by Sir Julius Yogel to say that It is a source of great regret to him that he is unable to be present here to-day. The contractors who ha?s undertaken the construction for the company of the first section of this railway have such a world wide reputation that their can be little room for doubt that they will perform the work they have undertaken substantially and rapidly, and I am sure the colony could not wish that the other and heavier portions of the line should be placed in better hands, and I venture to express the hope that a very short time will elapse before a similar ceremony if it be the will of the company to so celebrate it may take place both at the Christchurch and Nelson ends of the railway. The great gathering which I see here to-day, composed as it is of all classes of the community and from all parts of the Island, shows that the importance the Government attach to the construction of this line is largely shared in by the whole aotnmunity. Those from the east have a general idea of the magnificent mineral resources of the west, and those residing here know that everything they require to enable them to develope their resources exist and can be produced in unlimited quantities on the eastern side, and that once connected by railway the cost of living will be largely reduced, while those again on the eastern side of the range feel that with easy communication the population on this side will be greatly increased, and give a more extended Triarket for their productions. Ladies and gentlemen.— To use a very common phrase this will be a red letter day in the annals of the colony, the day on which the official inauguration of this great work took place, and to Nelson, the West Coast 1 and Canterbury in particular for the reasons I have just given. To myself it will be something more, as it will be associated in my memory with my first visit to this part of the colony, and I thank you, sir, and the directors, for giving me the opportunity of officiating here to-day. I will only add that in expressing my own earnest hope that the company, with the splendid staff of engineers it has engaged, may be able to carry out thi3 work to a successful termination, I am expressing the views of the Government as a whole, as their success must bring great prosperity to the districts immediately interested, and, aa you all know, prosperity of one part of the colony cannot take place without baneficially affecting the whole. You will. I am sure, agree with me in wishing the company every success, and that those taking the larger share of this great work may long live to reap the benefits of their enterprise. . On the conclusion of Mr Richardson'B speech, round after round of deafening applause followed from the multitude which surrounded the enclosure. Mr Hoare then came forward with a handsome little case containing a silver shovel, a model of the long-handled shovel with which Mr Richardson had just turned the first sod, and said,— Mr Richardson, I have to ask your acceptance of this in memory of this great occasion. It ts small, and ins'gnificant in value, but I would ask you to accept it as a slight recognition of your share in this great enterprise, and as a token of goodwill from the directors of the company and the contractors, and all concerned, and, as I said before, I hope that some day in the future we may match it with a small model of a hammer to drive the last spike. (Cheers.) Mr Richardson said that for 16 years he had taken an interest in this line, and J on that account he would value and look upon the little memento. He then called for three cheers for the company, who, he hoped, would meet with all the success they could desire in carrying out this j work. The request was responded to m?st heartily. At the request of Mr Guinness three cheers were then given for Mr Richardson. A number of ladie3 at this stage took up a position in the centre &i the enclosure for the purpose of enabling Mr Ring to photograph the group, in front of which stood Mr Richardson with the memorable Bhovel, the navvy's barrow lying on the plank at his feet. This closed that part of the proceedings, and an adjournment was made into the contractors' store, where the inner man was refreshed with a glass of cbampagna, "Goulet's," no doubt, and very refreshing it must have been after the hot and dusty ride up and standing so iong undar a burning sun, for the day had by this time become swekeringly hot. Then followed a rapid re reat to tin vehicles, and the road was soon a massof moving conveyances After a short delay the special train moved on, and in a short time delivered its human freight at the railway station 5 and from that time until dark the crowds that had been down to Brun-j

nerton and the Junction kept dropping into town, showing the very large number of ptople attracted by the ceremony of the sod turning. THE BANQUET. In the evening at 6.30 a very large number of invited guests, probably not short of 200, assembled in the Volunteer Drill Shed, In which seven tables were laid, four in the body of the hall, a table parallel with the stage, and two side tables on the stage. On the right of the chair- ' man (Mr Brodie Hoare) sat the Hon. Mr Richardson, Mr Avigdor, Hon. H. H. Lahman, M.L.C., MrMenteath, M.H.R., Rev. M'Lean. On th« left of the chairman sat the Mayor (Jos. Petrie Esq.), Hon. C. C. Bowen. Hon. Jas. Bonar, M.L.C., Mr Sclanders, A. R. Guinness, M.H.R., and R. J. Seddon, M.H.R. The Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts very briefly, all of which were duly honored. The Chairman then proposed "The Ministry." He said it had been made a rule, and he hoped it would be adhered to, that no speech should exceed ten minutes. He would not discuss the merits of the Ministry, because that was a point on which opinions differed. He hoped they would have a long life — he did not of course mean political life — and he considered they were worthy of being toasted with hearty goodwill. The toast was then drunk coupled with the name of Mr Richardson, and accompanied with three hearty cheers. Mr Richardson said— l have to thank you, Sir, most heartily for the kind way in which you have proposed the health of the Ministry and you, gentlemen, for the very enthusiastic manner in which you have responded. It Is a source of great gratification to the Government to see the Midland Railway begun. As I stated this afternoon, the Government on taking office made up its mind if possible to carry through this railway, and, they have steadfastly adhered to their determinatioa till, as you know, a contract has been let for the whole work, and it is now officially commenced. We have had to endure great opposition, much abuse, and political attacks of the moat severe nature, and those who have watched the proceedings of Parliament will have seen that S'r Julius Yogel and I especially have had to stand the brunt of these attacks ; and when we got the authority of Parliament last session to enter into a final contract it fell to the lot of Sir Julius and myself to draw up this contract for submission to the Cabinet. We found that problems had to be dealt with, for which there were no precedents, and consequently involved a great amount of anxiety. The principal problems I refer to were the giving the company such facilities as would enable it to pursue its great work and yet provide most ample protection to mining interests; and there was a further most anxious consideration — to arrange the contract so aa to ensure the railway being made throughout, and not as a mere fragment. All this we hope we have succeeded in doing, • but I am not going any further into the details of the contract. Sir — The Government, asl just now stated, the moment it took office saw the importance to the whole colony of developing the vast resources of the West Coast, and as an evideinee^if this managed, through the almost marvellous exertions of Sir Julius Vogei, to press through Parliament in two short months the acts for the construction of the harbors of Greymouth and Westport, as well as the special act for the construction of the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway. Without these acts it is very ouestionable whether for many years much progress would have been made with these harbors. The powers given by the three acts I referred to are of so novel a nature and involve such large responsibilities that I feel I have the right to give some words of caution on this occasion. Gentlemen, — Probably no part of this or indeed any colony has the prospect of such immediate advancement before it — the simultaneous proceeding with the harbor works, the railway from hereto Hokitika, and the railways connecting this coast with Canterbury and Nelson. The new start these worka must give to the development of th^ coal trade, the probability of a new and vast trade in the export of timber, and last, but net least, the great impulse gold-mining will receive, point to an advancement and prosperity perhaps rarely paralleled ; and I venture to express a hope that you may not be carried away, but rather be prudent and cautious, and while showing legitimate enterprise not be too speculative and thus throw away the money made during the term o f sudden prosperity. Gentlemen,— l look upon the work we have inaugurated- to-day as one of vast colonial importance, and this is my apology for trespassing so much up^n your time. I have only now once more to thank you for the enthusiastic way in which you have received this toast, and trust that so long as the present Ministry remain in office they will continue to receive the same confidence at your hands. A hearty peal of applau«e followed the delivery of Mr "Richardson's speech. The Hon. C. C. Bowen proposed "The Legislature of !New Zealand," He spoke at some length, and very favorably, on the general character of the Legislature of the colony ;" but he pointed out that it had been determined by the Legislature, after the most careful consideration, that there should be no bar set up against private enterprise, and that there BhouM be a fair field and no favor to every man. There were men in the colony whose democratic tendencies were carrying them too far and too fist in the direction of state socialism —men who would in faot reduce Government to the position of Misses Gamp, with a, bottle of pop in one hand and some soothing syrup in the other. (Laughter.) He referred to the healthy effect the construction of the Midland Railway would i ha^e In drawing distant parts of the colony together and abolishing for ever those miserable little local jea'ouses that had so pernicious a reign in the old days of provincialism. The Hon. Mr Bonar responded on behalf of the Legislative Council. They had sometimes been called " old fogies," but he ventured to say that during the 18 years while he was a member of the Legislative Council, there never had been a single measure really beneficial to the colony that could be pointed to as having been thrown out by that body. One notable instance he could give :— When the stupendous undertaking invol'-^d by the Public Works policy was brought before them, it was thought that the Legislative Council would reject it ; but he was happy to say that on that occasion they showed they had suffloient confidence in the resources of the

colony, and freely gave their assent to the policy as brought down by Sir Julius Yogel. There was no part of that policy which commended itself to his eyes then more than the Midland Railway, and he had always been a sincere supporter of it since. It was worthy also of note that when the Public Works policy was brought down it came at a time when the colony was in a peculiarly depressed condition. In the same way this great work came at a tiwe of serious depression throughout the whole world, and he had no doubt that the benefits felt in the one case -would also be felt in the other, and that the beneficial effects of this great colonial work would be shortly felt throughout the whole colony, as well as iv those districts most immediately interested. Mr Guinnesß said that when he waa returned member for. this district he little thought he would have the pleasure of seeing turned the first sod of this great work. He paid a tribute to the great as-' sistance rendeied by the people of Hokitika towards the work. Looking at the strenuous opposition the promoters of the railway had to encounter from the members of other parts oE the colony, he must still admit that he believed the opposition received from them was sincere, and the result of conviction. He had great hopes of the good results of this work from a national point of view. The Hon. Mr Richardson referred to the good the railway would do in effacing that petty spirit of provincial jealousy so rampant at one time. One effect of the great work already was the cementing of a bond of friendship between the people of Canterbury, Nelson, and Westland, tlut would rot be easily broken. For the members N?om all those parts of the colony voted to h. man — with a few miserablee exceptions — for the construction of this railway. Mr Guinness here read a letter from Mr Weston apologising for not being present, and expressing his sincere regret that he was prevented by urgent business which called for his personal attention. Mr Avigdor, in a humorous speech, proposed " The Trade and Commerce of the West C ast," a toast that he thought no man could possibly be more in competent to propose, "since he had been exactly a week in the colony and 48 hours on the West Coast. He therefore knew absolutely nothing of the commerce of the West Coast. He complimented the people of Hokitika on the sacrifices they had made in promoting the great project of the Midland Railway so enthusiastically as they did, because Greymouth must be the tei.ninus of the line, whila Hokitika must remain satisfied with being on a branch line. Since he had been here he had been struck with the unparalleled wealth of this portion of the country, which only awaited development. He did not know whether the people of the district realised at any time like its value the wealth of this district ; but he could assure then? that they had here a perfect microcosm of the whol* of the mineral wealth of the old world. They had riches in coal equal to the old country, gold that might rival the wealth of California, besides tin and other metals of which as yet they had only samples, but which, if worked, would probably pay the interest on the railway. But beyond all this vast mineral wealth, there was another source of weaith only barely trenched upon: he referred to the area of magnificent timber, which would not only supply the other colonies for very many years, but would eventually displace those qualities of timber now being brought from India. Capping all this they had a climate which was the healthiest in the worM, and Westland was noted as the i healthiest part of New Zealand. In fact : if statistics were to be relied upon, he had come to the conclusion that the average life of a man on the coast should be about 117 years. The toast was coupled with the names of the Mayors of Greymouth and Hokitika. Messrs Petrie and Michell responded. " The Mining industries of the West Coast " was proposed by Mr Alan Scott and responded to by Mr Seddon, M.H,R., Mr Menteath, M.H.R., and Mr M. Kennedy. Mr Richardson proposed "Success to the New Zealand Midland Railway." Mr Brcdie Hoare, in responding, said that anything falling from him that evening mu't not be looked upon as the views of the company. ■ He was merely a director, and whatever he might say was merely his individual opinion. He alluded to the speech by Mr Menteath, in • which he expressed great doubt that if the company were placed in the position of the Government with regard to the lands and the mining interests, and as to whether the miner could with Mb miner's right could range freely over the country as he did under the Government. He might tell them that in regard to this matter the Government had taken care to protect the miners, so that it was not in the power of the company'to curtail their rights in any way. Nor was it ■he wish of the company to do so ; for he night tell them that the interests of the company were identical with those of the people of the country. He did not profess any great generosity on the part of the company, for they were actuated pure'y by self-interest, and he believed that by an enlightened policy in deaiin,j with the lands that their best interests would be furthered, which of course would be identical with the interests of the people. He referred to the question of the land, and sud that as to the lands which were to be given to the company for the constraption of the railway, they did nqt intend to hold the land for purely speculative purposes. It was their interest to construct the line as fast as they possibly could do it. At points along the line the land was valuable, no doubt, but there were other portions, such as in the Otira Gorge and other parts, where it- would probably be a los 3 to the company in the construe* ion. They all knew that there were great difficulties to be encountered in engineering to overcome in works that should continue for some years ; but he might say that the company had every confidence in the experience and skill of their engineer, Mr Napier Bell. But these difficulties must be me 1 ; and he had no doubt they would be carried out to a successful issue. He would impress on the people of the West Coast that there were financial difficulties also to be dealt with and overcome. And it must be remembered that the districts ha 4 not the money that was required in their pockets. He must also inform them that financially the prospects of New Zealand at the present time were not in the least repute. IT e might also say, in the presence of a Minister, that he must ask on behalf of the company for that fair play

to them which had been bo willingly accorded him that night by those present. He thought the difficulties they had to meet aud overcome must not be increased by floating the of further loanß of a governmental character or by the loanß of local bodies at the present time. Mr Fell proposed the toast of "The Engineers and Contractors." He Baid that the city of Nelson had not been behind hand in bringing about this great enterprise. He had great pleaanre as Mayor of •' Sleepy Hollow " in extending the right hand of fellowship to his Wast Coast brethren. They intended to prosper by the railway and rival their friends in Chriatchurch in having a share of the great good accruing to it. He was sure that the contract had been entrusted to competent engineers. From what he had seen of thsm he was sure that-their heads were screwed on the right way. He had the greatest confidence in the selection the contractors had made. Mr Wilson said he would followthrough the work he had undertaken with the greatest possible interest. He had appointed as chief engineer Mr Napier Bell, and he felt sure that the favorable impression male on him while in England by that gentleman's photograph had been thoroughly confirmed on their acquaintance. He was certain that the work would be carried out iri : a thorough manner. The line had, according to his Instructions from the directors, to be completed regardless of cost, and finished in the best possible manner. He denied that the contracts had been let without competition. Aa to labor, the directors stated that the desire of the company was to promote the interests of the colony. They had included a clause stating that the contractors should not employ colored labor, but when he heard that the rate of wages on the coast was 10s per day it almost took his breath away. He was very much struck with the scenery along the route ; but from an engineer's point of view it was far too beautiful. He thanked them on behalf of Mr Bell, himself, and the others for the manner in which they had responded to the toast. Mr Gard'nersaid that the last time he f addressed a Greymouth audience he appeared aa a " visitor," but now he spoke as an inhabitant of the town, He said that the reason they came to New Zealand • was to do a good thing to themselves and '- also to the country. The national debt -'•'•' was often quoted against them In England ' but he thought the comparison wasavery : - - fair and unjust one. The debt of England had been bought with the position she now held, whereas the debt of New Zealand had been incurred by promoting the interest of the colony. He assured them that the firm he represented would do their work well and faithfully. Mr Grimmond also repiied on behalf of the township of Ross. Mr Alan Scott, in replying, Baid he was but a young member of the league, but had played a principal part at the finish. MrHowland regretted that Mr Acton- ■ Adams was not present on this occasion, as he was one of the principal promoters. He himself was one of the agitators, and took a great Interest in the undertaking. He also was Borry that Mr Pavitt, owing to the drowning of his son, was unable to be present. They owed a great' deal tojMr Scott, nor should they forget Sir Julias Yogel, who worked very hard for the promotion of the scheme. Mr wickes also responded verybriefly. Mr Avigdor proposed "The Press," which was responded to by Mr W. Ellis. Hon. H. H. Lahman proposed the toast of the chairman, who replied briefly, after which the meeting dispersed^.