The Nightcaps Coal Co., Ltd.

Southland Times, Issue 19540, 2 May 1925, Page 10

The Nightcaps Coal Co., Ltd.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

BORN 1880; DIED 1925 OF A BROKEN HEART* AGED 45 YEARS. After having sold 1,428,000 tons of Coal. (Published by Arrangement.) (Extract from The Southland Times, 4th March, 1882.)

INAUGURATION OF THE RAILWAY’ TO THE NIGHTCAPS COAL-FIELD.

Y'esterday witnessed events which cannot fail to have beneficial effects on the Southland, district and the town of Invercargill. This was the semi-formal opening of the extension of the Government Railway from Otautau to Wairio. together with the private line of exactly similar construction formed by the Nightcaps Coal Co., for the thorough opening up of their mines. Gentlemen interested in the Company and the district set themselves in motion, and by requisition to the Mayor speedily got the concession of a special train at very low fares. These gentlemen, while sanguine that a fair sprinkling of citizens would take this opportunity of visiting what has hitherto been to most people terra incognita, could scarcely have been prepared to see the large numbers of ladies and gentlemen who put in an appearance at the Invercargill station yesterday for the purpose of extending their knowledge of the country and enjoyed what promised to be a pleasant day’s outing. A start was made a little after the time fixed with ten carriages comfortably filled, but these, as the train progressed, became crowded in a way that only good humoured people on pleasure bent would have put up with. At Otautau a considerable accession was made to the number and an extra locomotive was hitched on. From this point the line is new, being used for regular traffic for the first time yesterday. It presents no special difficulties nor expensive works; its principal characteristic seeming to be a steady rising grade, and sound workmanship for a new line. After a rapid run of about 10 miles Wairio, the present terminus of the public railway, was reached up to time. Here Mrs Price, who seems to like pushing on to the outskirts of civilisation, has just erected a large hotel, which, in the absence of the essential policeman. may almost be said to constitute the township. Here ensued some very fast “sprint” races to the bar and back again by gentlemen whose movements are more of a staid character when nearer home. It is to be regretted that the worthy landlady’s business was much curtailed through paucity of vessels in which to serve out the liquid refreshments. From hence the line, about two miles long, is the property of the Coal Company, who have gone to considerable expense in making a reliable and convenient job of it throughout. The line keeps to a rising terrace, skirting what * is or was a portion of the endowment of the High School Board, and terminates in a complex system of lyes and points. The excursionists, who must now have numbered about 500, speedily alighted and spread themselves abroad over the face of the country, Mr Handyside, Manager of the Coal Company, Mr Mullaney and other gentlemen connected with it, doing their utmost to show all that was of interest. Nothing created more surprise among the "new chums” than the position of the mine and other workings of the company. Popular impressions seemed to be be that the coal was being worked by mines on the side of a range of hills, whereas the present workings lie in what may be termed a flat considerably below the company’s railway, and communicating with it by a long and sharp incline, up which the coal is brought in small hutches. We do not intend at present to enter into a detailed description of what the company have done and are doing. Operations for coal getting are now being carried on by means of an inclined mine, in some 250 yards and 70 yards below the surface at its lower end. The rising of water and coal is managed by a winding engine. The visitors took advantage of the easy means of access to get ‘‘down among the coals,” and the miners who were doing some preliminary work. Even the ladies descended the mine and brought away trophies in the shap of bits of coal as hewn from the “face.” Mr D. Ross was there with his camera, and took views of the scene around the mine; these will no doubt shortly be before the public. Curiosity having been satisfied, the Mayor and part of those present returned to the terrace, where a marquee had been rigged up by Messrs Gregg and Co., in order that the Coal Company might entertain those whom they invited to be present at what may be termed the inauguration to their works. Owing to unavoidable delay, and to some extent the unexpected number who were present. it was late before the party, which included, besides several ladies, the Mayor and several Councillors of of Invercargill, and other representative gentlemen sat down to a most excellently .■served luncheon, with the usual liquid con-

comitants in profusion. The place of honour was taken by Mr William Johnston, of Wreys Bush, who was supported by his Worship the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr H. Jaggers) and Mr T. Daniel, M.H.R. for Wallace. Several relays of guests having been attended to (Messrs Handyside and Mullaney being very active in this respect.) The Chairman gave the usual loyal toast, which met with a warm response.

In proposing the health of the Mayor and Councillors of Invercargill, the Chairman, on behalf of the Company, expressed himself aa indebted to them and their other guests for the honour of their visit in such numbers. It had been in fact a great surprise to him. Having spoken of the event which had brought them together, the Chairman said that if anyone had told him 15 years before that he would see a railway to the Nightcaps, he would have said it was not credible. He coupled Mr Jagger’s name with the toast, and was glad to see him present, both as an old friend and one who had always been in the front when there was public work to do. (Cheers.)

His Worship, in response thanked the Company for the manner in which the toast had been received. He thought the thanks of those present were due to the Company for giving them a glimpse of the “promised land.” and held that the people of Invercargill and district had good cause to blow their trumpets in favour of the Southland district. Another matter for congratulation was the near prospect of the Nightcaps Company being able to supply them fully with that great necessity—good coal. In concluding, he proposed the healths of the Nightcaps Coal Company, coupled with the names of Messrs Johnston and Handyside, expressing the hope that the Company would be rewarded for its enterprise by securing great success and ample fortunes. (Cheers). The Chairman returned thanks for the cordial manner with which his health had been honoured. He was proud to see so many friends present, and assured them that the Company meant business—meant to cut out all other coal in the market.

Mr Handyside, in responding, said that he hoped that some better known member of the Company had been present. He alluded more particularly to Mr Dalgliesh. (Cheers.) whose presence he felt they all missed. The Company had had many difficulties to contend with, but he thought it had now got over them, and would be in a position to supply a large demand of coal. For the construction of the section of railway over which they passed, the credit was due to Mr Bain, the late member for Invercargill. 'Hear, hear*. In fact, he had stuck to the matter through thick and thin. The assistance in the construction of the Company’s private line given by Messrs Bews and Miller, by Mr Gallacher. Mr Whittaker, and the Company’s officers, Mr Handyside took the opportunity to acknowledge. After further reference to the Company’s operations, he expressed the hope that when their visitors returned to Nightcaps, they would find a shaft at the station, from which the Company would be raising coal direct into the trucks (Cheers) and the present drive done away with. The Mayor (Mr Jaggers), said that he was afraid he had trenched on the territory of another. He referred to Mr Theophilus Daniel, M.H.R., for the Wallace District. Mr Daniel returned thanks for the honour done him and also to the Company for giving him the pleasure of being present. He expressed his satisfaction that another portion of the system of the district railways, for which he had always contended, had that day been inaugurated, and trusted that these lines would be extended, holding that they were assets, which roads were not. In conclusion he desired to acknowledge the co-operation of Mr George Lumsden, in the matter of urging the construction of these railways. He proposed his health, coupled, in his absence, with the name of Mr McEwan (Cheers.) Mr McEwan replied on behalf of Mr Lumsden, endorsing the remarks of Mr Daniel on that gentleman’s public spirit. The toast of “The Press” having been proposed and drunk, and responded to, the Company broke up and betook themselves to the train, which shortly after started for town amid the cheers of the little community, where it arrived without hitch at 8.15 p.m. The train arrangemnts were under the charge and presence of Mr Arthur and other district officials. Mr Grant, Traffic Manager. Dunedin, also accompanied the train. The repast provided by the Nightcaps Coal Company certainly did credit to their hospitality (which was extended to many not invited), and also to the taste of the caterers, Messrs Gregg and Kingsland.