OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19622, 28 October 1925, Page 7

OPUNAKE RAILWAY.

OFFICIAL OPENING BY PRIME MINISTER. (Per United Press Association.! HA WEE, A. October 27. The official opening of the Opunake railway took place to-day in the presence of a large and influential gathering of people of the Opunake district. The ceremony was performed by the Prime Minister (the Hon. J. G. Coates). A short address of welcome was made by local representatives. Great enthusiasm prevailed as the first train steamed out of the station with the Prime Minister on the engine carriage, which was crowded. ; , Among the visitors were Mrs Hawken and Mrs Trotter, who stood on the cowcatcher of the engine. Several ribbons were placed across the line. The Prime Minister, in the course of his remarks, reminded his hearers that the line was commenced in 1914, after having been promised for many years. Not much work was done until 1920. In 1920 efforts were concentrated on the line. Mr . Coates commented on the fact that in three years the efficiency cf the department' had increased by 40 per cent. Ho paid a tribute to the work of Mr Bell (the Public ‘Works engineer), and said that it would be six months still until the line was taken over by the Railway Department. The length of the line was 22 miles, and it had already cost £572,000. The sum of £38,000 more was required for the station buildings and ballasting. The total would be £410,000 — about £13,200 per mile—when completed. He said that at the very earliest moment improved facilities would be granted goods and passengers.