THE BLENHEIM-SEDDON RAILWAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 228, 30 September 1902, Page 4

THE BLENHEIM-SEDDON RAILWAY.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY.

Responding to the invitation of the Awatere Koad Board, representativeof various local bodies met in the Club Hotel last night to make arrangements for the ceremony to take place at Sed don on Friday, the 10th of October, in celebration of the opening of the Blen heim-Seddon railway for public traffic.

Mr S. M. Neville, Chairman of the Awatere Road Board, was voted to the chair. He read telegraphic communi cation? that passed between the mera ber for the district and himself, in which it was intimated that the most. suitable date for the function would be Friday the 10th. The Hon. 0. H. Mills telegraphed that he thought arrangements eoiiid bo made which would enable Sir J. Ward and the Hons. Messrs Hall-Jones, and Duncan to come over to the function in company with himself. Tho Ministers would probably leave Wellington on tbe Thursday and return on Friday evening in time to reach Wellington on the Saturday morning. It was arranged that the proceeding - at Seddon take the form of the usual opening ceremony and a public lua cheon. It was explained that in all probability free trains would be run out to Seddon to enable the general public to witness the ceremony.

A list of invitations was drawn up, including the Ministers, representatives of local bodies here, and the head* of kindred bodies and institutions of other localities particularly interested in the railwAy, old ''identities," and descendants or representathres of poisons, vow dead, whose work has n-ade for the advancement of the district. Among these guests are those who are thought to be the first white children, male and female, born in the province. The list comprises between sixty and seventy names. The hoats of the occasion will be the members of the various contributing local bodies (including the Railway League). The luncheon, which it is proposed to hold in the new railway shed or in a large marquee, will also be open tojhe general public at a charge to be fixed.

The expenses will bo provided for by various local bodies. It was re ported that the following contributions had been promised: —Awatere Road Board £20, Borough Council £15, Omaka Road Board £7, Wairau Road Board £7, Spring Creek Road Board £5; total £54. The hope was ex pressed that contributions would be received from other bodies similarly constituted. Ifc was resolved to send out a circular.

A number of committees were set up to look after the various arrangements. The Chairman and the Mayor are to send out the aforesaid invitations. Or. Scott, Mr W. B. Parker and the Chairman were deputed to arrange for the catering. Cr. Maoey, and Messrs Houldsworth and Tapp look after the train arrangements. The Chairman, Dr. Me Arthur, S.M., and the Mayor attend to the banquet programme, etc. Cr. Stxta c was asked to provide distinguishing badges for the hosts ; Cr. Macey to arrange for photographic records. The wives of members of the local bodies were included among the invited gue ts

It was resolved that the Hibernian and Garrison Bands be invited, and Ors James and Ohing were appointed to take charge of the musical arrangements.

The meeting requested the Mayor to proclaim Friday, the 10th, a public holiday, and a notice on the subject is advertised.