THE WORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7303, 15 April 1885, Page 5

THE WORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

. TURNING THE FIRST SOD. The actual commencement of work on the North Island Trunk Railway— event which has been looked forward to for many years past;— be an accomplished fact to-day. Much has been said and written about the work, and there has been great impatience) over the delay, but its beginning has come about at last. ' The Premier left yesterday to take part in the ceremonial. He left in a special tram at two o'clock, and was accompanied by the Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, the Hon. Mr. Wilson, of Hawke's Bay, and . Colonel Fraser, M.H.R. There will no doubt be a large gathering of Waikato settlers, although there is the counter attraction of the races at Cambridge. A special train will leave .this- morning at seven o'clock, and will reach Te Awamutu at half-past twelve. The ceremonial will take place at two o'clock, at a place about three miles from the station at Te Awamutu. The spot io on the southern side of the Ponin, on native land. The excursionists wiil return to Auckland, leaving Te Awamutu at half-past six. It was thought that Tawhiao would take a prominent part in the ceremonial, and gratification was felt at the statement, as it. would to some extent have been a healing of the breach between the Ngatimaniapoto and Waikato section ; and besides, it would have had a good effect in tending to prevent any possible obstruction of the works by natives of the Tuhua or Upper Wanganui districts. ' But it seems that Tawhiao is disinclined to take any part in the turning of the sod, arid it is said that in standing aloof he is acting under the advice of Te Wheoro, who is persuading him to do nothing until the answer is received from England about the Maori petition. However,- this is now a matter of very little moment to the colony. The sod will be tamed, and no obstruction which the Maoris can offer. will be of much account. : ; '.'_,'. [BY TELEGRAPHOWN .CORRESPONDENT.] - Te Awamdtu, Tuesday. > A special train, with the Premier (the Hon. Mr. Stout),, the Hon. Mr. Wilson (of Napier), Colonel Fraser, M.H.8., and Mr. W. Blair (Assistant Engineer-in-Chief), arrived here at half- seven. Mr. Stout goes on to Alexandra, and will return with Wahanui in the morning. The ceremony of turning the sod takes place to-morrow afternoon, at two o'clock, at Puniu. A large gathering of natives is anticipated.' A 1 number of Auckland citizens are expected to be present. -

More than one hundred natives are at present engased in forming a road from the Kihikihi-Te Kuiti road to the Kawa Station, which is about seven miles from the Puniu River. This road work is being carried out under the supervision of Mr. Hettitt, and the Maoris are working with a hearty good will.

Of the first section of the railway some six miles will be undertaken independently altogether of the contractor by natives on either side of the Eawa Station, the country being more or less swampy.