OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO INVERCARGILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5589, 23 January 1879, Page 5

OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO INVERCARGILL.

fßv TliLKOßAfll.] [FROM 0011 OWN OOBKHHFONHHNT.] INVERCARGILL, Jan. 22. TUB TBir DOWN. The excursion express loft Dunedin this morning at 10.20, with a largo number of visitors on board, including tbo Hon J, Ballance, Colonial Treasurer (the only member of tho Ministry), the Hon Colonel Brett, Christchurch, Messrs W. H. Reynolds, G. M'Lean, J. 0. Brown, Green, Shrimski, Wakefield, M.U.R ’e, the Mayors of Christchurch, Dunedin, and all tho suburban municipalities, and many other notabilities. At Balclutha, which tho train reached a quarter of an hour late, there wore a lorgo number of visitors and all tho leading men of that township joined us. The Clinton section (tho one which is newly opened) is nearly all the way a continual ascension. At many of tho wayside places, settlors wore congregated waving handkerchiefs. Clinton was reached considerably behind time. It was expected that a number of visitors from Invercargill would have mot tho excursionists here, but only Messrs Arthur and Hannay, of the railway department, had come by tho morning train. Good time was made between Clinton and Gore, where, through the unfortunate accident to Mr Conyers, a considerable detention occurred. The train was eventually two hours behind on reaching Invercargill, and got in at twenty minutes past six, having been eight hours on the road. Evidently the townspeople were making high holiday of, for triumphal arches and all kinds of decorations abounded, and in the evening the town was illuminated. Tho railway station was handsomely got ujp with evergreens, &0., and tho train on arrival was received with firing of guns by the Artillery. The brass band played the New Zealand Anthem as the visitors left the station, where there was no ceremony except that the Mayor and Councillors and principal citizens were drawn up and cheered heartily. Considerable difficulty was found in getting accommodation, but shake downs and so forth wore put up with, with good grace. THB BANQUET. The banquet given by tho Mayor and Corgoration, together with the Southland County ouncil and suburban municipalities, was held in the new theatre, Sloan’s buildings. About 200 gentlemen sat down to dinner, and a large number of ladies occupied the dress circle.

Mr G. Lumsden, Major of Invercargill, was in the chair, the Hon J. Ballance occupying the seat upon his right, Mr J. S. Shanks, Chairman of the County Council, and the newly-elected M.H.B. for the Mataura was in the vice- chair. All the M.L.C.’s and M.H.IL’s who came down on the opening trip were present, and several of the Southland members in addition. The latter included Messrs Joyce and Feld wick, in addition to Mr Shanks. The Mayors of Dunedin, Christchurch, Oamaru, Milton, Balclutha, and of suburban municipalities around Dunedin, were present. The cloth having been removed, the Chairman said that before the proceedings formally commenced, he thought it was right to refer to the sad accident which had that day occurred, and had cast a gloom on the whole of the proceedings. After referring to the very general esteem in which Mr Conyers was held, he said, so greatly had the sad affair been felt in the town that it was considered whether it would not be well to greatly curtail the programme of the evening; but the Committee had decided to go on with it as intended, seeing that so full preparations had been made. He read the latest telegrams from Gore relative to Mr Conyers, to the effect that, if anything, he was slightly better, which was received with hearty cheers. Before proposing the first toast, he read telegrams asking to be excused from attendance from Sir George Grey, who urged pressure of public business and the absence of the other members of the Ministry. From Colonel Whitmore, who hoped Messrs Macandrsw, Ballance, and Stout would represent the Cabinet. From Mr Mocandrew, who had not sufficiently recovered from the bodily ailment which bad disabled him for a week or two; and from Mr Stout, who pleaded business engagements, and expressed a hope that the railway would soften jealousies and curtail the unhealthy rivalry; upon which the Chairman remarked that he wished Mr Stout was present to assure him that there were no jealousies to soften, and no unhealthy rivalry to curtail. (Cheers.) A telegram from Mr J. T. Fisher was also read, besides excuses forwarded from a large number of members of the Upper and Lower Houses, and the Mayors of inland towns.

The toasts of “the Queen,” “Princess of Wales," “ the Royal Family,” and “ His Excellency the Governor,” wore drunk with enthusiasm and the customary honours. Mr Mitchell proposed “the Army and Navy and Volunteers,” coupled with the names of Colonel Brett and Major Macrorie. The band introduced a novel feature after this toast by singing as a chorus between the instrumental music a verse of a patriotic song. The Hon. Colonel Brett was received with loud applause. He considered that Britain never had greater military or naval resources, and that her prestige had struck terror into the heart of the Czar. (Cheers.) Regarding the Volunteers, if ho had said anything to cause offence in his speeches during seven consecutive years and in the intorest of the force of this Colony ho was sorry for it, but he had made the criticisms with a desire to raise a spirit of emulation among the officers and men, and to eleva'o the status of the force generally. Ho concluded by making complimentary allusions to the force as at present existing, and to the perfection of the band performing in the room. Major Macrorie also responded. The Chairman next proposed “ Success to New Zealand Railways” which ho said was the toast of the evening, and should bo drunk with bumpers. The occasion they celebrated must bo one of gladness, especially so to the people of Invercargill and of Canterbury, lie regretted the absence of two gentlemen panicuiarly, viz., Mr Moorhouse, the initiator of railways in Canterbury, and the Hon Dr Monzies, the initiator of them in Southland. Hero, upon the present occasion, the pilgrim fathers of those two Provinces mot to snake hands over the completion of their railway schemes. Eleven years ago, in the Southland Provincial Council, ho stated that ho believed ho would bo able to travel before ho died—and ho was then an old man—by railway from Invercargill to Dunedin, and now that he could got over double the distance to Christchurch, ho considered ho had boon no false prophet. The speaker concluded by coupling the toast with the name of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds. Mr Reynolds was received with much applause. Ho considered it a great honour to be asked to respond to such an important toast in the absence of the Minister of Public Works. While credit was duo to the gentleman mentioned by the Chairman, ho felt bound to say that for the carrying out of a through railway section between Christchurch and Dunedin the credit was duo to Sir Julius Vogel, (Loud cheers), and he folt proud of being associated with that goal lonian when ho promoted the scheme. The speaker hod had a good deal to do with Mr Cargill. When Governor Brown and the Provincial Executive conferred upon a lilting title for the town, Captain Cargill suggested “Brown Town " hut tin Governor would have no Brown Towns, and between the Governor and the sneaker they decided upon colling it after 1 Captain Cargill He had built the first building in Invercargill, and us a visitor to Australia many years ago, and as Immigration Agent at Homo bo had always done his best to induce settlers to come to Southland. He took a warm interest iu Urn progress of the town and district, and believed the railway would do much to add to their welfare end prosperity. The Chairman hero read a telegram wihch had been sent by Sir J. Vogel that afternoon

to himself as Mayor:—“People of Southland, I congratulate you on completion and opening of trunk railway between Christchurch and Invercargill.” Mr Cuthbertson, ex M.H.R., proposed "The Parliament of New Zealand,” coupling with tho toast tho names of Hons W, Bu Reynolds, G. M‘Loan, and E. Wakefield, M.lLß’s. Tho Hon Mr Reynolds, in responding, said that while in the Lower House ho had sometimes felt annoyed at the manner in which his Dills had boon treated by tho Upper House, but ho had always been able to come to tho conclusion that that body was really tho salvation of tho country. Mr M'Loan also responded. Mr Wakefield was warmly received. Ho oxcusod tho absence of many Canterbury members on the ground of iln being the middle of shearing and harvesting time. Ho looked upon the opening of railways us likely to bo a good thing for the Parliament of Now Zealand, through its giving an opportunity to members to meet together in various parts of the Colony, and to become acquainted with tho wants and capabilities of other districts than their own. Ho concluded an eloquent speech amidst loud applause and cries of “Go on." Tho Vice-Chairman proposed the next toast that of “ Tho Ministry,” Coupled with the name of tho Hon J. Ballance.

Tho latter, who was receive;! with chccrj, after returning thanks assured the com ]> my that it had given him great pleasure, he might say undoubted satisfaction, to bo present on this occasion. He was a stranger to this part of tho Oolonj, and therefore was better able to judge with regard to tho resources and potential wealth, such as be saw around him. Nothing struck him more in passing along tho railway, and he had been a close observer of the country, than the large area of magnificent land apparently awaiting settlement, but so far as ho was informed poorly occupied. Now, ho held that if our railways were to become re-productive, if they were to justify tho large expenditure on them, wo must have population. (Cheers.) Wo must have homesteads and homes. If there was anything more than another that he hod noticed with regret, it was that such a splendid territory, such a vast extent of firstrate land, at least so large a proportion of it, had so very few homes on it. (Cheers.) He believed that that was the grant want of the country, and although ho was not prepared to propound any heroic means or measures by which homes could be supplied, yet it must bo tho aspiration of every citizen of New Zealand to see the land covered with homesteads, which it must bo to make a great and prosperous country. He would take the opportunity of apologising for Mr Macaudrew, who had intended, and to whom it would have given the utmost satisfaction, to have been present. Serious illness, the consequence of long journeys in the North Island, confined him to his house ; but his medical advisers held out hopes that in a day or two ho would be able to return to the discharge of the official duties that sat so lightly on him and in which he continued to take such a vital interest. With regard to the railways he was amongst the first to acknowledge the bold imagination which conceived and put into force the railway policy of the Colony, and thought all honour was due to Sir Julius Vogel (loud cheers) for his conception of tho great Public Works policy, and for the courageous stand which he made in the face of great difficulties in inaugurating and carrying out that policy to a successful issue, and although that policy was conceived by another Ministry and another head, the present Ministry had made that policy their own, and were Hired to carry it out to the utmost so far eir means would permit, until the whole of New Zealand was covered with one network of railways from the north to the south. It might bo said that they had gone to the extent of their means in this direction, but he did not believe that. He believed that the more our resources and tho more the character of the Colony were known, the more readily would the English money-lender be inclined to stake his interest in this Colony in preference to European countries, such as Turkey and other States. He believed that in order to give fair play to our railway policy we must concentrate the whole of our strength, by which he meant the whole of our available means, upon railways and immigration. He believed that a great deal of the money that had been borrowed had been frittered away in expenditure on public works which were unproductive. (Applause.) We must consider the subsidies to local bodies. Let them perform the functions proper to them such as the construction of the main roads, and let the local Koad Boards make the district roads, while the General Government should perform the works which he held to be paramont —namely, the extension of the railway system of the Colony, bringing in at tho same time sufficient immigrants to make the lines profitable and reproductive. In conclusion, he alluded to the substantial appearance of the town, and predicted a great future for it.

The Chairman proposed “The Visitors.” coupled with the names of the Mayors of Christchurch and Dunedin. The Mayor of Christchurch, in responding, contrasted the appearance of the country and of Invercargill with that presented when twenty years ago he walked from Dunedin to Invercargill. The Mayor of Dunedin shortly responded, and, by way of an innovation upon the programme, proposed the toast of “Success to Invercargill, coupled with the name of Mr Lumsden, who suitably replied. Mr Wade proposed “ The Commissioner of Railways and tbo Engineer in charge of the Middle Island." The gratification with which ho had looked forward to proposing the healths of Messrs Conyers and Blair, had been saddened by nows of the melancholy accident which had that day occurred. If that accident had the unfortunate result of causing tho loss of one of Now Zealand’s host citizens, then, glad as ho was to see railway communication opened, ho would have rather wished that the opening had been delayed 10 years. Ho concluded by asking that “A spoody recovery to Mr Conyers ” should bo drunk with tho toast. Mr Blair in responding excused himself from making anv speech, in view of the accident through which ho alone was present, in reply to tho toast. Mr Shanks, M.H.R., proposed “Tho Contractors," Messrs Proudfoot and M'Kay, which was not responded to as tho hour was getting lato and people were leaving. One or two toasts on the list wove omitted. “Tho Ladies," responded to bv Mr Eeldwick, M.U.R., and “Tho Press,’ 5 responded to by Mr Ashcroft, closed tho proceedings at about eleven o’clock.

The following is a description of tho lino south of Dunedin. That of tho portion between Christchurch and Dunedin, published at tho time of tho opening of the lino to tho latter place, will still bo fresh in the memories of our readers: — Tho lino was opened right through to Olutha at one and tho same time, but contracts for its formation were let in sections separately, and were going on concurrently. From Dunedin to Green Island was let in three short sections, namely, Dunedin, Caversham, and Kaikorui sections. They were all let to one contractor fMr A. J. Smyth). lho tender for the Dunedin section was accepted March 6, 1871, and tho completion took place in November, 1872 j tho contract amount being £1235 15s. Tho Oaversham and Kaikorai sections were tendered for at ono time, being accepted Juno 2, 1871; tho former, which included the formation of tho Caversham tunnel, being completed May, 1873, at a total cost of £16,152 7s 5d ; tho latter, concluded in April, 1872, costing £ 185(5 10s 6d. Tho total length of these three section# was five miles and 55 chains, and tho total cost for formation alone was in round figures £25,000, In addition to the formation contracts, Messrs Brogden and Sous took up tho nlateliiyiug contract over tho whole of the throe section/', their tender being accepted March 26, 1873, and complotod in December Of the same year; amount, £5408 3» sd. The Taieri contract, of a length of 34 miles 51) chains, was lot in ono section. Messrs Brogden and Sons were tho contractors, for tho amount of £142,000. This included formation and platclaymg.

Tho tender was accepted July 4, 1872, and cjtr.plctod in March, 1876. Tho remainin' portion of tho lino, up to tho point nt whicli tho old Balelutha terminus was situated, on tho northern side of tho present bridge, was also included in one contract. Tho distance was 10 miles 55 chains, the formation of which was at first contracted for by Messrs D. A. M'Leod and Co., but re-let to Messrs Blair and Watson, '1 he tender was accepted August 18, 1871, and tho work completed January, 1874; amount, £16,278 3s lOd. Tho plalolajdng over above distance was dono by Mr A. J. Smyth ; tender accepted April 7,1874; completed March, 1876; amount, £7279 6s 6d. The total cost of this section therefore was about £23,500. So that for tho whole of the lino as at first opened, namely, to the old terminus at Balelutha, tho cost of fonnutioi and platclaying was over £195,000 or verv close upon £200,000. ’ The next section was a short one into Balelutha township—a distance of only 1 miles 22 chains in all ; and outside of that was tho contract for tho Clutha bridge. Messrs Watson Brothers wore tho first accepted tenderers for this largo work, but it was re-let to Mr James Mockay. The tender was accepted on May 13, 1874, and tho work was not completed until Dec., 1877, its total amount being £17,663 I7s 6d. For the section from tho bridge into Balelutha, Messrs Proudfoot and Mactay’s tender was accepted on May 28, 1877, and the work was concluded in March, 1878, the amount being £IO,OOO. This portion of tho line was opened, and traffic extended into Balelutha township, in Jan., 1878. It nfecds to be explained here that tho date of completion mentioned above—in this, as in all tho other contracts—means the date at which the work was taken over by tho Public Works Department, and includes a certain time during which the contractors were responsible for maintenance of the line. The principal portion of the section now being opened was let in one contract to Messrs Proudfoot and Mackay on Feb. 4, 1877, for the amount of £37,600. It was that known as the Clinton section, the distance being 16 miles 31 chains. The Toiro section, extending from the end of the Balelutha contract to the beginning of the Clinton section, was constructed by “ unemployed" labour, nnder the superintendence of Inspector M'Millan. Its length was four miles, but of its cost we are unable to state particulars. The line between Clinton and Mataura was let in one section to Mr James M'Menamin, but that contractor failing during the progress of his work, the contract was taken out of his hands, and the portion uncompleted relet to Mr Lewis Litton. Tho distance in-

eluded in the contract was 25 miles 32| chains, and extended from the end of the Clinton contract to the Mataura River. Mr M'Menamin’s contract for the formation over the whole distance was to have been concluded on Sept. 23,1875, and as Mr Litton did not conclude till April 20,1877, it will be seen 18 months was lost through, the failing of the first contractor. The amount paid to M'Menamin was £894116s 7d, and to Litton £16,300. In addition to this, the contract for platelaying over the whole distance was let to Mr John Whitaker for £12,196 ss, so that the total cost of the whole section was in round numbers £37,500. After leaving Mataura the route is along an almost dead level, very similar to the Canterbury plains, and no obstacles of any kind are met with. A few words may be added as to the principal works upon the line from Dunedin to Mataura. The Clutha bridge—or, as it should properly be called, the “Blair” bridge, having been so named when opened by the Hon Mr Larnach, Minister of Public Works —takes precedence as the most important. It is the largest of the kind in the Island, having seven main spans of 120 ft. each, with a stone arch of 30ft. over the district road at its northern cad. Its whole length is thus 870 ft, or very nearly 300 yards. It is built upon cast-iron cylinders of 7ft. diameter, filled with concrete, most of them being sunk upon the bed-rock, and some of them being 70 or 80ft, below the river bed. The superstructure is of timber, with iron truss-girders of the usual type. The other principal bridges are those at Taieri and Waihola, The Taieri bridge has four spans, the Waihola five spans, each of 80ft. and are built on iron cylinders of 4ft. 6in. in diameter, filled also with concrete. Of the two tunnels, the Caversbam one is the longer. Its length is 94S yards. The formation through which the cutting was made was soft sandstone, and the construction was easy. The tunnel is bricked half a chain from each end. The Chain Hills tunnel is 506 yards in length. The formation met with was of schist with clay, and was alternately very hard and soft, and liable to slips. The construction was difficult and dangerous to the workmen employed. The tunnel is bricked throughout. The greatest difficulties in regard to the construction of the lino were met with between Carersham and Chain Hills, and the work was especially heavy at the Chain Hills end, where there are a series of curves of seven and a half chains radius, occurring in a continuous gradient of lin 50. Over the remaining portions of the line no engineering difficulties were met with, neither are there any features worthy of remark. The formation through the Toiro and Clinton sections was generally light, and there were only a few stream bridges, of which that over the Kaihiku, of two 30 feet spans, is the largest. No ballast could be found along the route of the line, and the whole of that used had to bo brought from East Gore, on the banks of the Mataura River. The stations upon the newly-completed section, and their respective distances from Invercargill are:—Waitepeka, 83 miles 57 chains; Toiro, SO miles 67 chains; Warepa, 77 miles 60 chains j Kaihiku, 74 miles 65 chains; Waiwera, 71 miles 50 chains; Clinton, 65 miles 43 chains. As will bo seen from the foregoing, the total cost of the construction of the lino from Dunedin to this side of the Mataura River, a distance of very close upon 100 miles, has been in round numbers £300.000. This is exclusive of the cost of the Toiro section, four miles in extent, completed by day labour.