Our Railways,

Otago Witness, Issue 1395, 24 August 1878, Page 16

Our Railways,

THE OPENTTvTG OF THE NORTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Wellington, August 19th.

A meeting of Otago and Canterbury members of liotli Houses was held to-day at the Parliament Buildings, to consider tiie proposed vrjit of members to celebrate the oi>enin» of the Duncdiu-Chiiatcliurch through line. Tliirlyono members were present, _ J\lr If. Buslines, the coiivonei 1 , being in the chair. Tho {Jiunrmuii intimated Uiut ho hud waited on the <;«>- veniiiieiit, and was in a position to pay tliiit they were quite favourable i'o the proposal, and would place tho llinemoa at tho disposal of members if they wi'jhel to go. JIo pkeluhid out a plan vAi\'-]< h.</l l.ecn din-njieil, for l.'sviii'c 'WtllhiLlun "!' TJji r-nJ.iV T'i^)it, t.i , */v i ()• Mii/Knibii, iiriivii 1 ;/ .tt (JhrKtdiiii ;!i oa Viiua}, -'i^i lMiuuiiioj iL.*L vi o "'ic, leaviiiy tho uUt wornu^' (fcluliuday) for Duu-

edin by train, calling at Timaru and Oamaru Dunedin could be left on Monday, giving Tuesday to Chriatchurch, the members could arrive in Wellington on Wednesday. To this it was objected that four sitting days, or a whole week would be taken, and therefore it would be much better to leave on Friday night, the Gth, returning in time for business on Tuesday, the 16th. an arrangement which would also lose only five Bitting days. This, on the motion of the Hon. W. .Robinson, was agreed to unanimously. Mr W. N. Blair, who was present, said the line would be ready to be opened any time after the Ist, and the time named would suit without inconvenience to the public or the liailway Department. It was generally agreed that the trip and all demonstrations connected with it should be of a strictly non political character, on the suggestion of Sir John L. C. Richardson and Mr Montgomery. Mr Wakefield proposed, that a Committee, consisting of the Hons. John Hall and W. H. Reynolds, Messrs Montgomery, M'Lean, Rolleston, Wason, Turnbull, Bastings, and J, C. Brown, should be appointed to make arrangements, and give effect to the views of the meeting. At a meeting of the Committee subsequently held, it was resolved that members should leave Wellington in the Hineuioa on Friday evening, the Gth of September, remaining at Christchurch on Saturday and Sunday, leaving by special train on Monday morning for Dunedin. A stoppage to be made at Ashburfcon for half au hour, Timaru one hour, and at Oamaru for an hour and a half, the patty to arrive in Dunedin about G o'clock the same evening. Tuesday to be spent at Dunedin. A special train to run to Lawrence and back on Wednesday, to euable visitors fco see the Bluespur, and members are to return variously at their convenience ; but a special train to leave Dunedin early on Monday morning, so as to catch the Hinemoa at Lyttelton on Monday night, the 16th of September. The Governor and suite have been invited to accompany members, as also the captain and officers of H.M.S. Nymph, that vessel probably accompanying the Einemoa.