AFTER THE CEREMONY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19365, 1 July 1937, Page 8

AFTER THE CEREMONY

RAIL CAR INSPECTED THE JOURNEY TO WAIROA (Spocinl to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. After the ceremony of driving the last spike at the Mohaka. viaduct yesterday, the rail car Arai-Te Uru was inspected by a large number of the visitors, all of whom appeared to be greatly impressed with the roominess and comfort, there being even facilities for the press, while the radio kept the passengers in touch with the affairs of the world outside Mohaka. The Raupunga-Mohaka school children also carried out a close inspection of the car under the supervision of Mr. E. J. Wills, head teacher at Raupunga Native School. When the official party bound for Wairoa had boarded the car a start was made for Wairoa, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, driving off for a short distance, there being also in the cab Messrs. G. H. Macldey, E. L. Cullen, M.P., H. L. Marker, Foster, and Cherry, the two lastmentioned overseers on the construction work. Points of interest by the way were i pointed out by the Mayor of Wairoa, Mr. Marker, including the Mohaka and Waihua tunnels, and there were various slow-downs where loops had to be traversed or to inspect points where sidings were to be considered, and also the stock bridge at Ilaramua. On portions of the line where the ballasting was complete 35 miles an hour was frequently touched. The Minister took the wheel within a mile of the Wairoa station over a loop while the main line is being reconditioned. On the journey isolated parties greeted the travellers, and the tiain crew responded. The largest gathering of school children was at Huramua. where the teacher, Mr. Huston, marshalled his pupils alongside the line. , , The silver spike was made by Messrs. Prebble Bros, and inscribed on one side: “Last Spike, Mohaka Viaduct, 30/6/37.” On the other side was inscribed: “Minister, Public Works Department, R. Semple.”