COMMENCEMENT OF THE WESTERN RAILWAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1179, 4 July 1874, Page 10

COMMENCEMENT OF THE WESTERN RAILWAYS.

[by telegraph.]

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Riverton, June 26th. The little town of Riverton looked its gayest to-day. From early morning, the inhabitants have been astir doing their best, by means o£ bunting and other adornments, to give the place a holiday appearance, and they have succeeded well. The sun, too, amiled brightly upon their efforts all day 9 and so the whole place has been having a very c.ay and pleasant appearance indeed. The great event of the day has been the turning of the first sod, by way of formally inaugurating the Western District Eailways, as mentioned in my telegram from Invercargill yesterday. His Honour arrived about half-past twelve, accompanied by several well known inhabitants of Invercargill and the surrounding district. About a quarter-past two, a procession was formed in front of the Commercial Hotel, and started in the following order : — Volunteers, Mayor and Corporation, Clergy, Members of the Legislature, the Superintendent and Contractors, the Good Templars, School Children, and Citizens. Having arrived on the spot, two addresses were presented, one from the inhabitants of the town and district, and the other from the Good Templars, After a few words in reply, the Rev. Mr Oldham offered prayer, j and His Honour stripped off his coat and filled his barrow in good style, and stood barrow in hand while a photograph of himself and surroundings was taken, for the information of future generations of Rivertomans. Next came Mr Daniel, Member of Council for the town, who also filled and wheeled off his birrow in a workmanlike manner, as did also Mr J. L. M 'Donald, the Mayor. His Honour then said, "That like Royal Charlie of old, the Winton district railways had been long a-coming but it would be satisfactory to all that a commencement had been made at last. He would congratulate them, in fact hoped the celerity with which railways would be pushed forward would be in proportion to the delay which had taken place. From all he had Been and heard of the western district, he believed it was a district to support >a numerous and prosperous population. The first step towards this result they had taken to-day. It was not one, but three district railways, all radiating from one point, they had commenced to-day. The one to Wallacetown would not only pass through an extensive agricultural country, but bring them into unbroken communication with the whole of the Colony. No doubt, this will be made use of by families who, for health and pleasure, would spend their winters in the Torquay of Otago — Riverton. Then there was the line to Otautau, which would open up a country rich in agricultural and dairy produce. The present contract was only for about 16 miles, but soon they would be completed to the Takitimos, and no doubt, ultimately on to the Winton and Kingston line. Lastly, there was the lineto Orepuki, which wouldopen up one of the richest mineral and timber districts in the Colony. He believed the Orepuki only required to be rendered accessible to afford employment to hundreds of miners, while the extensive deposits of coal, bitumenous shale, and forests of magnificenttimberwould afford profitable employment^ thousands ; while beyond the Waiau was a very large extent of good country in the hands of the Crown, which he hoped to see occupied immediately in agriculture. He did not think there was any contemplated railway in New Zealand, of equal length, that heldout brighter prospects than the one to Orepuki. He considered the Western District began its career of prosperity from to-day ; and for what they had been enabled to do they were mainly indebted to the untiring exertions of their member — Mr Daniel. He sincerely hoped Mr Daniel and himself would live to see the completion of what they had so well begun. The orthodox champagne was then produced, and success to the works drunk in the usual enthusiastic style. Mr Daniel, the Mayor, and Mr George Proudfoot then addressed the company, and so ended the first act of the day's proceedings. A banquet is to be held in celobration of the occasion to-night.