RAILWAY ANNIVERSARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18896, 19 December 1924, Page 13

RAILWAY ANNIVERSARY

EARLY WAIKATO EXPANSION.

FIRST TRAINS TO HAMILTON.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO.

Forty-soven years ago to-day thcro took place, in the opening of the extension of tho Waikato railway from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton, an event which, in those far-off days, was deemed to bo a momentous one. So much did tho Waikato, settlers of the period appreciate tho extension that a public demonstration was held. On tho opening day trains ran between Auckland and Ngaruawahia at ex-

cursion fares.

A train consisting of lb carriages and hauled by two engines, left Auckland at 7 a.m., conveying about 200 passengers, including somo of tho city's leading citizens. Among those on tho train were Messrs. W. Errington, J. Ware, B. Tonks, E. Phillips, L. Baffin, F. A. Whitaker, J. I\ King, W. H. Kissling, Samuel Jackson. \V. Armstrong, A. lv. Taylor, W. Hunter, Dr. Hooper, Captain Percival, and the Rev. 1?. S. Hansard.

At Newcastle (Ngaruawahia) extra speed was put on in order to carry out. the advertised time-table, and the train drew up at the. new station at Hamilton at the samo hour at which tho trains had previously reached Newcastle. Flags and banners waved from every roof, and tho train, on entering the station, passed under a triumphal arch of evergreens. A land sale was held Yin the auspicious day, and, dealing therewith, the Herald's report stated: —"Tho land adjoining the station and surrounding it had been cut up into quarter and half-acre building allotments for tho village of Frankton. Ono corner section of an acre brought £80. and the smaller lots ranged from £12 to £32. The bidding was pretty spirited.