DUNEDIN AND OCEAN BEACH RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4298, 30 December 1874, Page 3

DUNEDIN AND OCEAN BEACH RAILWAY.

(From the Guardian, Dee. 24.) Yesterday the first sod of the Dunedin, - Ocean Beach, and Peninsula Railway was turned by his Honor the Superintendent, the spot selected being the site of the future station, just beyond Mitchell's Hotel, on the Anderson's Bay Road, and opposite to Mr. Tolmie's house. The very large increase in the population of Dunedin, with the consequent demand for places of residence, has lately made it imperatively necessary for many people to live further and further from town, and, the land on the northern and eastern side of the city being pretty well taken up, they have been compelled to go away out to the southern portion of the land about Dunedin. Kensington and Caversham. are both pretty well taken up, while the Portmry is lately coming into repute, and will very soon be covered with houses like the districts on this side of it. Then there aro the Anderson's Bay Road district and the St. Kilda district, both of which are rapidly increasing in. importance, and it is in these various suburbs that numbers of our population now have to put »]» their cottages, and live under their

own vines and fig trees. Beyond these again, and between them and the Ocean Beach, is a large tract of land, stated by his Honor the Superintendent to embrace an area of about 2000 acres. This is splendidly suited for rising and healthy townships, the only drawback being its distance from the city. Under these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that a railway has been projected and commenced. The scheme, once thought of, was rapidly perfected, and in a very short time we shall see trains running throughout the day, and up to a reasonable time at night, to and from the Ocean Beach. The population will rapidly follow the trains. Only let the people have cheap and expeditious access to the districts under notice, and there cau be very little doubt that the whole of this fiat will very shortly be covered with extensive and important townships. By-and-by, and shortly too, the railway will be continued to Portobello, and then the Sunny Peninsula cannot fail to become a favorite spot for villa and suburban residences. The contract for the first section of the line (to go to the Ocean Beach) has been let, work has already been commenced, and three o'clock-yesterday was fixed as tho hour for turning the first sod. Shortly before that time, the Anderson's Bay Road was quite alive with carriages, 'buses, and pedestrians ; and a few minutes after the time appointed the crowd collected around the spot, waiting for the ceremony to begin. The day was beautiful in the extreme, and, looking across the flat towards the beach, one could not fail to be struck with the feeling that this portion of our province was in every way suited for a large and thriving town, which in time to come will most assuredly arise upon it.