CHAKUNE-RAETIHI RAILWAY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11415, 19 December 1917, Page 5

CHAKUNE-RAETIHI RAILWAY.

OPENING OF BRANCH LINE Ifc was a reel letter cloy in the history ol' the Waimarino district, and Raetihi was en fete to welcome the first train, with its big contingent of visitors from oil the surrounding districts. The ceremony was held in the afternoon at Raetihi. The excursion train set out from Ohakuue drawn by an engine garlanded, in greenery, and at the intervening stations, particularly Rochefort, u crowded train was more crowded. A quick run through the pretty bush country along the way brought tne visitors to their destination. Raetihi was gaily decorated for the occ sion, one! as the engine cut through a riband suspended across the line, a demonstrative welcome was given by a big crowd of_J3uropeans and Natives assembled on the platform. The Natives followed with haka. The visitors included the Prime Minister, Messrs W. A. Veiteh, Jennings, and Smith, M. P. ’s, Mr A. S. Laird, Mayor of Taumarnuui, Mr E. Mayor of Uhabune, and representatives of all adjacent local bodies. Mr Gregor McGregor, chairman of the Waimarino County, welcomed the visitors.

Mr Massey received a very onthusisstic welcome, and thanked tne residents both for'the invitation to attend and the splendid welcome. He said he regarded . the opening ceremony as a most important one. The people were entitled to congratulations also. He did not think Raetihi would be the terminus for all time, and that the line would go on to Wanganui—in which case ho thought Raetihi would take first place and Wanganui second. Laughter. A Voice? “No fear!’’

Continuing in facetious vein, Mr Massey said he was always careful what he said, and ho never made a statement unless he believed it correct. Continuing, Mr Massey said the Government had spent £BB,OOO on tho branch lino, and tie money was well spent. (Hear, hear.) It was impossible at present to carry on a gre :t public works policy with UO,OOO men absent, hut tho war would not last for ever. For the moment not , however, all must niuke up their minds to see it through, (Hear, hoar.) He was proud that the sentiment of the people was unchanged, and the war would go on until the Britisth and their Allies were victorious. To-d y the w r was costing New Zealand two and a half milious per mouth, but the country wfcS prosperous. Itwas an enormous load to carry, hut when peace came there would he a great demand for New Zealand produce, and he did not think the next generation would feel the burden to an extent to cause depression New Zealand would have to make the most of her resources, and"" there would have have to be a great development policy to rmike the Dominion a greater and better country. Loads and railways would increase production. In the present case the branch line would afford transit to a large amount of produce and timber Finally amid cheering Mr Massey' declaredt he ilue open. After the railway ceremony, the visitors proceeded by motor to the Hydro-Electric Power Station,, about five miles away, where a number of streams have been diverted, with a fall of several hundred feet- into a gorge. - ccess to the Power St tion is by means of a flight of steep steps, a trij-ng journey, although Bsr Massey made light of it, and led the w«y. The visitors inspected the fine plant, which will generate 1500 horse power, and Mr Massey turned on the first light. In the evening a banquet was held at the Drill Hill, when there was a 1 ii-ge attendance. . During the day several deputations were received by the Premier.