OPENING OF THE SHAG POINT RAILWAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 986, 17 June 1879, Page 2

OPENING OF THE SHAG POINT RAILWAY.

(from our own correspondent.) Palmerston, June 17. The opening of the branch of railway to the Shag Point coal pit was celebrated to-day, and was a perfect success. Visitors from Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, and surrounding districts, including Messrs. A. Grant, General Manager of Railways, and Mr. Loring, District Statiqnmaster, Oamaru, being present, A special train left hgve at 9.50 a.m., carrying a large number of people, who, after a smart journey, were all safely deposited at the company's mine, Mr. Williams, manager, and Mr. Rich, one of the directorsj being present to receive the visitors. The party were first invited to inspect the mine under the leadership of the manager, who was most assiduous in explaining gvprythipg ooimecfcec] therewith. The whole of tl;e explorers being struck with the expense connected with and through the management of the mine. After the party had returned to terra firma an adjournment was made to the residence of the manager, where a most substantial lunch was provided, to which ample justice was done, after which Mr. Jas. Arkle, in ftpprapriato terms, proposed f ' Success to" the Shag Point Coal Company, 1 ' which was responded to by Messrs. Rich and Mason, directors. Other toasts followed, and, time being up, a move was made for the train. After several rounds of cheering had been given a start was made, and Palmerston reached at X o'clock, everybody being highly pleased with the trip and the hospitality shown by the Company. That the new line travelled over ran remarkably smoothly was the general opinion expressed on all sides.