THE TE ARO RAILWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 9868, 27 March 1893, Page 2

THE TE ARO RAILWAY.

On Saturday at nooath* lino was virtually opened. Tbo Mioistei of Public vVorks, the 5. iaisttr of Lauds, the Railway Coin* missions;b, the Mayor, the Chairman oi the llaib ur Board, Mr W. McLean. the Engineer-in*Chief, the Dis t rich tugim-rp, met ftt nooh at the Thorudon Railway Station. With them were Messrs Cronin (one of the contractors), Mr Mo'Ourdy, the dork of the work?, Mr D.wson, traffic manager, Mr Pilcher, Mr Hamer, Messrs E. T. Gillon, Loughnao, H. Cridgo, Atack and a few o:hers. Ihe train for thu oeca-ion consisted cf two passenger oaraand a guard's vr.n drawn by a Fairlieoa* giue with Oliver Makin and Fireman Joucsia charge, Mr Harrell being the gu:rd. The distance between the Thotndou and Te Aro staticDS— a fraction over a mile—was covered i•• a little over 8 minutes Every* thing eermsd ia perfect order, and the running was remarkably veioolb, cait ought to be ou a toliily huiL line. As the train steamed slowly past the Loan aod Meroaa tile Company’s building, out on to the breastwoik, vast the approaches to the Queen's Wharf, aloog Jerviis quay, and past th=) boalshedt*, there Wvte a few demonstra t|v»as, and here und there horses in waggons b-o*mo a little nstle-s, but for tbo most par: the equine population seemed to thick bnt ILtie of it, and -11 the crossings were vvoU watched. On anivM ac Te Aro the party got oat and went round the new station.

The first thing to strike us w« the length of the platforaa on each side of tbo line; 400 ft we round them to be on enquiry, and wo learnt tnat there are not many iu how Z-aland longer. The station buildings are elegant in citsign, very well arranged and remarkably well built, the workman* ship reflecting ere lit on ail concerned. The shelter sheds are very substantial ; it is noticeable that pillars have been dispensed with in Lent of the station building; that structure having been used (or staging the platform, which has coosf a look of convenient room ness ; and the facade over the entrance Going T«*ry sticeb pleases the eye. When the overhead bridge is baht—the concrete foundations are the only signs of it at present (on the Te Aro end of the platforms they are)—.and when the platforms are asphalted, the Te Aro station will be as well equipped for holiday traffic, which is sure at times to be very heavy, as any station in the Colony.

The return journey, after the inevitable disouss(on about the rival sites for the goads station, and a>t«-r the equally inevitable interview with the eQterpris'Dgphotographer—in this case a re .re*eucaiiva of Messrs Wriggtesworth and Binns—a as tnaue in five minutes. Thera was of course discus* sion by tbo way as to the dangers of railway traffic in such a locality. The general opinion was decided enough. From To Aro to the Qaeeu’s Wharf the trains will be in such full view that no danger to anyone need be apprehended. Of the two crossings over the wharf approaches tbo same may be said. From the smaller of theee to ihe end of the breastwork the railway fence has by cutting off access to the sea, made that part of the quay safer for pedestrians at night. Passing the Loan aud Mer* oantile Company’s building oi th* curve inwards towards Thorndou, there are two crossings very near together which look a little dangerous, as there is not so extended a view of the line as at the other points. JluS the trains must be always going slow at this point. Au electric boll to ho rung by coming trains would be a good thing here. After reaching Thorndon the party adjourned, at the invitation of the Minister of Public Works, to the Royal Hotalj and spent a pleavaut half-hour drink* ing success to the cow lion, and toasting one another. Mr Seddon, who proposed the health of the contractors, complimented those gentleman on the excellent manner in which th«--y bad done tb-Mt work. He regretted the aba-nca of the Premier who intended tohave been pre-h-nt, but was prevented, and took occasion to say that as Mr Ballauoo’a health was greatly improved, aud as be had resumed duty, bo hoped to see him soon completely hirmoU again, a sentiment which met with an emphatic 4 hear, hear/ from all present. He complimented the Railway Gomans* siooers on the way in which they had met the department in connection with the line, and announced that it would be ready fer traffic at Raster.

After Mr Cronin bad briefly replied, the Mayor proposed the health of the Minister for Public Works, remarking that there had never been any friction between them at all, and saying a few words of appreciation of the new line as a great convenience to the city.

Mr Seddou reciprocated, extolled the m. lives of the Mayor and those who bed the same views about the site for the goods shed at Te Aro, and advised them to get the matter decided quickly, as delays are dangerous. lu conclusion he proposed the healths of the Mayor and (ho Harbour Board chairman, whn».eupon those gentle* men replied pleasantly, and stuck to their guns ab .ut the goods shed situ. Mr McLean asked the company to drink to the Railway C.immissioaera, wbioh the company did heartily, and Messrs MoKerrow and Maxwell replied suitably, the lattor reciprocating the hope expressed by the Minister that they might meet again on many such occasions—a sentiment which made the company smile, as it wa-i intended to Mr MoKetrow told them that every* thin? was ready for running trains on Thursday for the Easter holidays, and sai l the Commissioners had made up their minds to do everything they could to encourage the traffic/

Tao Minister of Lauda having proposed ‘The,Press,’ and having said nice thugs about. the -Fourth Estate,’ and reulies having been made by Messrs Oillou, Liughnan, Atauk, and Bridge, the company separated.