OUR WELLINGTON LETTER

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 16, 18 October 1878, Page 2

OUR WELLINGTON LETTER

FItOJI OUIi OWTf COttRESrOXDEXT,

Opening of the Waihahapa RwmvayThis long-louked for eVent was fixed -for Saturday, the 12th, and great preparations for the auspicious event wore made. The morning opened badly, heavy rain during' tho uighfc having been succeeded by a steady drizzle, accompanied by a high and gusry wind, so that prospects were not o^ the brightest.

The special trjin consisting of about 20 carriages, drawn by 2 engines, aud conveyiug 480 passengers, left the Pipitea Station at a little after 9 o'clock ; nothing worthy of note occurred until KaitoUo Station was reached, and here the gloomy intelligence that the party could proceed no further, was communicated to them. Aa you ma> suppose, this had a very pleasing influence, but there was nothing to be done but to return to town, and to lewu. they accordingly returned. The cause of tho stoppage was the occurrence of several very heavy slips, owing to the resent hoavy rains ; but by dint of strenuous exertions on tho part of the ongineers, and the employment of 150 men, the road was pronounced clear aud an engine run throngh by 11 o'clock on Monday morning. The official opening, however takes place on Wednesday, and the ordinary traffic commences on Thursday. The City Demonstration Laving been fixed for to-day (Tuesday), it w<ts held accordingly. At 12 o'clock, a procession of about 1,003 men, representing the two Fire Brigades, Fire Police, and various Friendly Societies, headed by 3 bands, started from Government House, and wended its way to the Basin Reserve, whero athletic sports were held. At 2 o'clock a procession of school children numbering between 3,000 and 4,000 formed in Courtenay Place, and in like manner made for the Basin Reserve. Here the sports had been temporarily discontinued, and the highly decorated gentlemen of the first procession formed a largo hollow square, into the centre of which this youthful army marched.

The Governor appeared on the sciine at 3 o'clock, his arrival being announced by a royal salute from tlu jutillery, stationed on Mount Cook, and by the National Anthom being played by tho band. A congratulatory address was then prcs3ntod to His Excellency by the Mayor, and tho vast multitude of children, sang the National Anthem. His Excellency then, in a few words referred to tho great event which we were commemorating', and the pleasing sight of ho many children being gathered together lo do honor to the occasion. After thi*, and tha vociferous cheering which followed, and which it was difficult to suppress, the scholars were led off the ground to one of the very largo adjaceut school*, where each was presented with a new bun and a good-sized packet of lollies, whidi provision appeajed to givo imweuse satisfaction.

This evening all the principal Banks and Commercial Establishments are splendidly illuminated with every description of gas and lantern devices, and throughout the day, flags, banners, aud evergreens have heen displayed right loyally. There is also to be a great torchlight procession tha evening, and the whole of the festivities are to be wound up by a grand ball at tho Imperial Opera Housij. And bo ends a most successful affair commemorative of a truly great event, for tho prosperity that Wairarapa may bring to Wellington and Wellington to Wairarapi naed only be limited by the enterprise of its people, and this I am persuaded is of no mean character, so that " great expectations " may well bo based u pon it.