THE FIRST RAILWAY IN NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XX, Issue 1165, 3 December 1863, Page 4

THE FIRST RAILWAY IN NEW ZEALAND.

; OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND HEATHCOTE RAILWAY. 1 One of those great events which form an epoch in the history of a people was celebrated on Tuesday last. An important step in the onward career of 1 Canterbury has been made, the first portion of the I first Canterbury Railway has been opened, and the idea of its projector (Mr. Moorhouse) has received ' its partial realization. The rest must follow. CanL terbury has no inclination to pause in its advance, [■ and we have no hesitation in saying the extension of the Railway through the length and breadth of the ! province should be commenced by the time the , tunnel is completed. At an early hour the streets of Christchurch pre--5 sented a gay and animated appearance, flags of j every description were displayed in all quarters of the town. The road to the railway terminus was ' thronged by vehicles loaded with passengers and crowds of pedestrians all making their way to the scene of the day's enjoyment. Arriving there about noon, we found the most numerous assemblage of people ever congregated -together at one spot in Canterbury. On the whole it was the most ' English spectacle that it lias been our lot to witness 5 in the province. The booking offices, wool store, [ engine shed, and other buildings connected with the ■ railway, were ornamented with bunting, flowers, and evergreens. Several refreshment booths offered > apparently irresistible attractions to thirsty souls, and perambulating orange vendors were plying a profitable trade. There was an extensive demand ; for ginger beer, and the prices of dyspeptic pastry [ and sticky confectionery ruled high. On and about the platform promenaded a crowd of elegantly i dressed ladies and gentlemen, and everybody seemed [■ to be impressed with the necessity of shaking hands with everybody else as frequently as possible, while healthy, happy smiling faces everywhere met the > view. But above all and about all, and through everything and everywhere, circulated dense clouds, or rather waves, of dust, as if the unaccustomed ; earth stirred up to wrath by the remorseless trampling of thousands of feet, and lashed to fury by a 1 fierce north-wester, had turned again and was work- ' ing out its vengeance in its own peculiar way. , With the assistance of a pretty hot sun, it played strange pranks with the ladies, and discomposed the ! gentlemen; it tickled your nose, and made you sneeze; it powdered your hair and beard; it ground your teeth to an excruciating edge, reduced your eyes to a chronic state of rheum, defiled your pocket- ' handkerchief, and brought you generally to a state of gritniness impossible to describe. Apart from the main body of the company were little knots of ' holiday keepers enjoying dusty rations, bottled ; porter, and babies, and everywhere the expression of contentment, fun, and determination to be jolly, ' depicted on every countenance, was a sight to see. 1 Going down the line we found the engine in a state i of polished brass and oiliness, and apparently totally indifferent to the excitement which pervaded everything else. We were informed that it is from the ' workshop of Messrs. Slaughter, Gunning and Co., of , Bristol, that its power represented about 50 horses, that the action was reversible, so as to render turning unnecessary, that its curious inverted conical ! funnel was constructed so as to catch the sparks as they fly upwards, and that it could draw with ease a weight of 200 tons. The passenger carriages, of which there are four, two first-class and two secondclass, are rather comfortably than expensively fitted; they are built of Australian timber, in a very substantial manner, with all the latest improvements, and are from the manufactory of W. Williams, Melbourne. Besides these there are about 30 box and ballast wagons. It is expected that the rolling stock ; already on hand will meet the requirements of all the traffic which will pass over the line for some time to come, but another engine is on its way from England, and other stock will be procured as soon as necessary. We were shown through the offices, &c., which contrast in a very favorable manner with some of the Government offices at Christchurch; the ladies waiting room is very neat and chastely furnished, although as may be supposed rather small, i The engine shed is a commodious building of timber and corrugated iron, the same may be said of the wool shed; in short, the whole of the arrangements seem eminently adapted to the purposes they are to serve. It had been currently reported that his Honor would be on the ground or rather on the train at half-past one o'clock. The time arrived and with it no Superintendent. By this time the spectators were wound up to the greatest pitch of impatience and dust, so that it was with great satisfaction we saw the carriage drawn by four greys, postillioned, and dusted also, enter the ground a little after 1-30. The arrival did not seem to attract much notice, and it was found that a further delay was unavoidable, one carriage only could be procured for the conveyance of his Honor and the Executive Council, and that one being too small to take the whole party in one trip, had to return for a second portion, who arrived about 2 o'clock. Without further ceremony the party, consisting of his Honor the Superintendent, the members of the Executive and heads of departments, took their places in the first passenger train ever drawn in Canterbury. Everything being arranged at 2 - 3 p.m., the train started with an almost imperceptible motion, soon quickening into a pretty fast pace, landing its contents without the least interruption at Ferrymead a 213 p.m. exactly. The train returned to Christchurch m the same time, which, considering the shortness of the run, may be called pretty good work. Arrived at Christchurch, the carriages were speedily filled by an invited party, but so eager were the public to test the capabilities of the iron horse, that Messrs. Holmes & Co., with their usual anxiety to please, attached five open carriages, which were speedily filled to overflowing, as many as 853 going by this single opportunity. The trains continued to run incessantly backwards and forwards till nearly 8 o'clock, to the great delight of hundreds who availed themselves of the kind permission of the lessees to make their first railway trip in Canterbury gratis. It is calculated that 3,500 people travelled up and down the line, the arrangements being of the most satisfactory kind. The goods shed was nicely decorated with flags, and the pillars were clothed with a profusion of evergreen foliage. At the one end was displayed the motto, " God save the Queen," on either side " Success to the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway," " Railways and Progress," and at the other end of the building " Advance Canterbury." The ornamental festoons of blue calico had an exceedingly pretty effect, affording an excellent contrast with the white walls of the interior. The Arms, of England and Canterbury emblazoned on shields were suspended upon the sides of the shed at intervals. Upon two tables running neai-ly the whole length of the building was arranged a magnificent dejeuner, comprising all the delicacies of the season, and reflecting great credit on the caterer, Mr. John Birdsey. The tables were tastefully laid out and embellished with epergnes filled with flowers, adding much to the general effect. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon his Honor the Superintendent entered the building and took a seat on the side under an arch of evergreens; next to him were the Lord Bishop of Christchurch and Mr. Holmes the contractor. The invited guests, to the number of 500, then took their seats, and after grace had been said by the Bishop, a brisk attack was made upon the good things spread before them. Perhaps the most amusing part of the proceedings were the pic-nician makeshifts of those who were unable to procure seats at the tables; down one side of the shed a row of waggons were placed, some were covered over to do duty as sideboards, others were empty, into these latter incontinently went the unseated, and, arranged in groups, catered for themselves. We saw one party of nine, amongst whom there were only three knives, one of them being a carver, and two forks. We saw one gentleman insanely attempting to carve a ham Avith a penknife ! no bigger than a knitting-needle; another demolishing a fowl in a very primitive manner; but notwithstanding all these drawbacks, it is a strange fact that the choicest dishes accumulated in a most mysterious manner round these apparently outsiders. During the dejeuner the band played the quartette " Come where my love lies dreaming," and other ! airs, with good effect. At the conclusion Mr. j Holmes in an appropriate speech proposed , the health of the Queen, which was drank with \ great cheering (Band, National Anthem.) The - next toast, " The Prince of Wales and Royal Family" J was also drank with great enthusiasm. Mr. Holmes , then gave the health of " His Excellency Sir George \ Grey," which was well received. (Band, the British \ Grenadiers.) Mr. Holmes, in proposing the health of his Honor ' the Superintendent, said that in the business trans- < actions he had had with him relating to the railways ( he had always experienced the greatest courtesy! i He believed that his Honor was actuated with a 1 strong desire to further the interest of the colony in t which he had a large stake, and he respected him as 6 an honorable and upright gentleman. (Great i cheering.) t Band—" Cheer up Sam." c His Honor Samuel Bealey, Esquire, said he t would not detain them long after such soul inspiring 1

strains. He was glad to meet so large an assemblage representing every class. It was a source ot pleasure to consider that comparatively a short time back they were glad to get a common road to travel ) upon, and that now they had seen a railroad established which was significant of what was to follow. He considered that the education of the people was the primary object to r ' keep in view, and that railways were of secondary » importance, but that from the spread of education and railways through the whole length and breadth e of the land double benefit would be derived. ' There ? was little or no difficulty in the way of the extension of the railway. The finances were in a flourishing state, and railway communication would assist the 2 development of the trade of the country. He would not allow the occasion to pass without allude ing to the difficulties overcome by Mr. Moorhouse e in the prosecution of his scheme, but now when the first step in the great undertaking had been suc~f cessfully accomplished, he might say that never in I the history of man was so bold an undertaking conceived or better carried out. He would conclude by ! thanking them for the kind and hearty way in which his health had been drank. e Mr. Holmes then gave the health of the City B Council, coupling with it the name of their chairman, Mr. John Ollivier. ® Band —" Roast beef of Old England. Mr. Ollivier rose and returned thanks on behalf f of the Council, and remarked that had there been no City Council they would not have enjoyed the ad- ? vantages of the great improvement in road com- ? munication effected by them, and he concluded by proposing the health of the Lyttelton City Council, to which Dr. Donald responded. i The Yen. Archdeacon Mathias in proposing the next toast, said that he could not do adequate justice J to its importance. When they heard the toast he had to give he had no doubt they would make the £ ceiling echo with their cheers. It was " Success to the Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway, and with it 8 the name of William Sefton Moorhouse. (Long and e continued cheers.) When that gentleman first proe posed the making of the railway he had met with 1 considerable opposition, and it was due to the i untiring energy displayed by Mr. Moorhouse, and his disregard of clamorous opposition and unjust censure, that they were that day assembled to 1 inaugurate the commencement of a railway system. " He was one of the earliest settlers of the province, and when he looked back at all that had passed since the beginning of the colony, he hailed this day ® with pleasure and gratitude. j Mr. Moorhouse said he had looked forward to r that day with anxiety to realise what he knew would . be an astounding fact. Years ago he had imagined e that Railway train rolling over the plains of Cani terbury as vividly as he had seen it that day. He f had seen the practicability of it, and anticipated the 1 advantages likely to arise from increased prosperity ! to the province. The project had survived all opposition, although the promoters had been opposed by ' the heaviest intellects in the colony. It was the inauguration of a new era in the history of the settlement, and although their resources were limited as compared with some, yet they had set an example " which could be followed by their neighbors in the f South with advantage. Canterbury was but in its infancy, and not being weighed down by the pre- '' judices of the decrepit old world could move onward j with all the energy that characterises the sons of England. He believed the time was not far distant when they could breakfast at Christj church and dine at Ticnaru; in fact they would journey to the extreme limit of the province transact business and return to town in a day. It ' was not a mere fanciful or theoretical idea, but a great mercantile fact. The government of the pro- '' vince could not stop in the onward career in store j for them, and he expressed a hope that the Superinr tendent would in a comparatively short time take J action for opening a line south of Timaru. The a railway would tend to the improvement of the pastoral districts, so that where one sheep was now upon " the ground there would be seven. If the people expected the government to do well for them they I must do well for the government by breaking up , their lands and employing labor in the cultivation of " m them, as upon this the success of the colony materially depended. The speaker concluded amid a ' r storm of applause, the band playing " For he's a 3 jolly good fellow." The Superintendent, in a short speech, proposed the health of the contractors, Messrs. Holmes & Richardson, which was enthusiastically drank. Mr. Holmes in acknowledging the toast, said t when the tunnel was completed it would be an eyet let hole for Canterbury, which would connect them , closely with Australia. He hoped to see the ' lime when the whistle of a locomotive would echo from every hill and valley in Canterbury. The Superintendent in proposing the health of ' Mr. Dobson the Railway Engineer, said he was an | old and tried servant, who had discharged his duty faithfully. Mr. Dobson had resigned his office of ' Provincial Engineer, but that was no cause for rej gret, as his attention could now be devoted to the j carrying out of the works connected with the rail- , way. r Mr. Dobson, in returning thanks, said that they must remember that a line in a country like Canter- £ bury was of far greater importance thau the lines of r rail in the old country. He believed he was the oldest Government official in the service and had had t the honour of opening up a new road from north to r south. He reminded the company that the present was only a very small portion of a much larger work, and when the tunnel was completed it would be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, with the excep- ' tion of Soutli America. It was a source of great pleasure to those engaged in the undertaking that ' they were enabled to do such a work ; even the j Mont Cenis tunnel, of which so much boast had been ( made, was nothing in comparison. Great progress was now being made, so much so, that at 12 o'clock i the evening previous he had ascertained that 1300 , yards of the tunnel had been completed. About the ' Ist of February he thought that one-half the work ; would be finished, and a few weeks before the con tract time was up, he had no doubt the whole length would be completed. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Holmes, in a humorous speech, proposed— "The Ladies." The Band: —■" Here's a health to all good lasses." Mr. A. Siieatii returned thanks in an appropriate speech. , Mr. J. S. Williams proposed the Press of Canter- , bury. The toast was received with great cheering, and was briefly acknowledged by Mr. Butler. Mr. Ollivier proposed the health of Mr. Maude, and remarked that they all felt the great services which had been rendered to the country by the late Provincial Secretary, and he had much pleasure in bearing testimony to the great ability he had displayed during the time lie held office. Mr. Maude, in acknowledging the toast, said that he fully sympathised with the joy manifested by every one on that interesting occasion. He felt that be had a good right to do so, as lie was in some measure instrumental in the carrying out of the great event which they had that day met to celebrate. It was a gratifying recollection that when the subject of the branch line was brought before the Council he stood by Mr. Moorhouse on the occasion, and the motion was carried by a majority of one. That one vote he believed secured the progress and prosperity of the province of Canterbury. He thanked them for the kind and complimentary manner in which they had drank his health. The assembled guests then left the shed, and proceeded to the platform to witness the arrivals and depai tures of the trams, filled to overflowing with the crowds of delighted excursionists. Shortly after this time a large crowd assembled in front of the entrance to the booking office, and Mr. Moorhouse being called for, was hoisted upon the roof, from which position he delivered a telling speech, which was - received with great cheering, and on concluding he was carried about on the shoulders of the people. Mr. Ollivier, Mr. Maude, Mr. Buckley, and Mr. Richardson, where each in turn elevated to the same position, and addressed the crowd, and Mr. Dobson would have found himself there also had lie not valiantly withstood the somewhat too pressing attentions of his admirers. Not being übiquitous it was five o'clock before we could visit the engine-shed, where the employees of ' Messrs. Holmes and Co. were feasting. We found ' the door guarded by four or five persons, who for < some reason, objected to our entrance; as we were going away, however, a herculean navvy generously ! constituted himself our pilot, and before we got I inside the door, we should think he said at least fifty times m as many seconds, "They're having a I fine turn out inside here," and added in a denreca- < un» ' r OI i d bI ® SS ye Sir ' what vor sho "ld'nt un ' We replied " ot course we could'nt see whv ( t dfleldm nt "• W i hioh " riginal i° ke speared to i who , 1 amazingly, and to use his own expression S f , r^ ailln & l . lt afterwards to his fellows—he < larfed fit to split." After this dialogue our guide t cleared J* e^ 00r ' an d looked in,-to see, the tables i rpfrl l : SOm f y or sixty giants enjoying a £ heat whilf. 1 a i i r th , 6 over P° weri »g fatigue and t 1 eat which they had undergone in the earlier part of the day. After this cheering spectacle we stood for £ some time, the amused spectators of the rough' but a perfectly good humored scramble in and out of the s carriages on the arrival of the train. As far as we a cou d gather, everybody was satisfied with thing with one trifling exception, it was on all ands conceded that the carriages were good, the c

railway altogether Was good, so was- the engine, only it hadn't screech enough ; we heard it solemnly asked " What was the good of a hingine if it didn't scream properly ? " and everybody seemed to think that the engine had neglected one of its most important functions. It is gratifying to think that owing to the praiseworthy arrangements made by the police, the incessant watchfulness of the station master, and the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Richardson, who, courteous and polite, seemed to be everywhere, not a single accident, or disturbance of any kind marred the pleasure of the day, and when we left the grounds at the termination of the proceedings it was with a conviction that we had well spent one of the merriest days in a lifetime.