OPENING OF THE WAIMATE LINE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 282, 19 March 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF THE WAIMATE LINE.

[FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.] Waimate, 1.25 p.m. The line was opened with great eclat. On the arrival of the train at the station the band struck up " God Save the Queen.' There was an immense crowd at the station to greet the passengers f :om Oamaru. The day is observed as a general holiday here, all business places being closed, and everyone being bent on making the day remembered as being one of considerable importance to Waimate. The line from the Junction is very rough and shaky. 3.10 p.m. After leaving the station the citizens, headed by the Mayor of Oamaru and Mr. J. Bruce, marched through the town to the music of the band. There was immense excitement throughout the town. The banquet takes place at two. 4.30 p.nV. The banquet was a glorious success, there being 200 present, including the Mayors of Oamaru and Timaru, and Messrs. Grave, Gibbs, and Scott. Mr. Steward, Mayor of Oamaru, in responding to the toast of Oamaru, said that he thought Waimate had reason to congratulate herself on the rapid strides she had made during the last few years, and differed with the Mayor of Timaru in regard to the rivalry that exists between Oamaru and Timaru. With regard to Waimate being made a municipality, he said he should very_ much like to sec it so, as the population and business of the town was increasing, and he hopeu that the next time they met there would be a Mayor of Waimate to take part in the proceedings. He thanked them for the liberal spirit they had always shown towards Oamaru, and hoped it would always continue. The usual toasts were drunk with musical honors, and everything is passing off very satisfactorilv. o