A STEP ONWARD

Southland Times, Issue 19396, 10 November 1924, Page 6

A STEP ONWARD

THE EAST COAST RAILWAY. FIRST SOD UNDER NEW CONTRACT TURNED. (Per United Press Association.) WAIHI, November 8. The ceremony of turning the first sod under the railway contract of Sir G. Armstrong, Whitworth and Company of a portion of the East Coast Main Trunk railway between Taupiri and the Wairoa River, near Tauranga, was performed this afternoon by Hon J. G. Coates. A party of guests, consisting of the Hon J. G. Coates, Mr and Mrs N. Elmslie (British Trade Commissioner), Mr and Mrs Wiley, Mr and Mrs Bennett (President of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce), and others left Wellington by the Main Trunk yesterday. Special carriages containing the Minister and guests were brought on from Frankton to Waihi by a special train, the party being joined at Paeroa by Mr Poland, M.P. On arrival at Waihi the party were met by Mr Walnutt (Mayor) and councillors, and entertained at breakfast. Special carriages containing the party were run on to Athenree over the Ihiblic Works line, these being the first passengers conveyed over that section. At Athenree Armstrong and Co. had motor cars waiting to convey the party to the scene of the ceremony near Tauranga. Colonel Greennough, the company’s New Zealand representative, met the party at Athenree. After lunch the party continued the journey to Tepuna, where the first sod of the Company’s contract was turned by Mr Coates, in the presence of a large number of visitors from all parts of the district, including Waihi, Rotorua, and coastal towns.

Mr Coates expressed pleasure that the contract had been secured by an all British firm and one whose name was connected with many large works throughout the world. At the conclusion of the ceremony Colonel Greenhough on behalf of the Company presented Mr Coates with a solid silver desk weight, about six inches square, on which is embossed a map of the North Island, depicting the route of the railway. Mr C. E. Macmillan M.P. also spoke briefly.

The party then inspected the up-to-date township established by the Company at Tepuna for the men engaged on the work, and the whole party then returned to Tauranga, where some 300 guests were entertained by the Company in the Town Hall at a celebration dinner.