"RED LETTER" DAY OF PAST

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 88, 7 November 1932, Page 15 (Supplement)

"RED LETTER" DAY OF PAST

OPENING THE LINE TO TE WERA. FUNCTION 22 YEA.<S AGO Not the least interesting phase • in the development of t«le line was the opening of (he section to Te Wera. This took place in June, 1910, and the ceremony was performed by the Hon Thomas MacKenzie, the Mini steal for Agriculture. There were many at the ceremony who are well known in Stafford today, but among the others were several

who have now passed away. Amongst the latter was Mr Joseph McCluggage, one of the greatest battlers i'or the back country that the area has ever known, Mr McCluggage worked very hard indeed in the interests of the settlers out east and it is sal'e to say that there was no resident of the district who was more universally esteemed. The completion of the Stratford Main Trunk line was a cherished aim of Mr McCluggage and it is a matter of' great, regret to all that after the enthusiasm he dis. played over a period of many years he is not alive to see that the trains are running through. Amongst those present at the Te Wera ceremony were Messrs J. B. Hine. M.P. (or M.H.R. as the designation then was); F. Simpson, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Tara. naki; C. J. McKenzie. district engineer; J. Masters, Mayor of Stratford; (i. A. Marchaut, chairman of the Stratford County Council; A. W. Budge, N. J. King, B. 15, Stohr, T. W Rapley, W. J. Maloue, .J. Heslop, D.J. Malo'ne, 11. P. Webber, .1, McCluggage, J.' Munro, J. >Leydon, J. Sexton, J. Black and several other well known identities.

A special train was run out to Te Wera from Stratford and whoa it arrived a big crowd was found to be waiting (here. The station buildings were gay with the hags of all nations and no nations, too, and every one was on tip toes with excitement awaiting the arrival of the long looked for first passenger train to run to Te Wera. It was a red letter day for the back country, for it meant the opening up of better communication with the outside world for a large number 01 plucky men and women who in the winter time had been practically isolated. On that occasion also there was a banquet. It took place at Te Wera in Flynn Bros.' neAv boardinghouse. The banquet was arranged by the set. tiers' committee, the leading members being Mr C R. Finnerty, Mr G. W. Calvert, Mr M. O'Neill, Mr A. Meredith and Mr MacAloon. Mr Finnerty was secretary of the commit, tee and Mr Calvert was chairman. For the opening ceremony a ribbon was held across the line by Mrs Mc. Aloon and Mrs O'Neill and this was cut by the Minister, who stood on the cowcatcher of the engine, which slowly drove up to it. Engines whistled 'shrilly and the crowd cheered as the train drove slowly to the end of the yard. After this afternoon tea was partaken of afc.the boardinghouse and later those present were taken in trucks some six miles over unballasted tracks to the> railhead. Here they walked through the tunnel at Pohokura, which, as the Stratford Post of that date remarked, "brings the iron ho r se within ten miles of Whangamomona."