The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1901. THE STRATFORD-KAWAKAWA RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 56, 27 March 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1901. THE STRATFORD-KAWAKAWA RAILWAY.

No,doubt Mr Parker expressed the true reason for the small attendance at the meeting last night, concerning the function on Thursday at Stratford, when he said the New Plymouth people did not realise all that the cmstructien of this line meant and its importance te the future of the pert and town. Considering the small attendance it would have been unwise to hare pressed the Mayer to declare the day a whelc holiday, yet, when the importance of the event is considered and the fitting complement it would have been to the people of Stratford it is very much to be regretted that it was not done, Further there are those who would have liked to have visited Stratford on Wjat day who will now be debarred from doing so. We refer particularly to the large number of employees who owing to the establishments in which they are employed remaining opening, will be unable to avail themselves of the excursion train running to Stratford that day. Mr Courtnay struck the right note when he said that "he looked upon the opening of the line from Stratford has a great step in the direction of securing direet stsamera calling at tbe Breakwater. The only thing, in bis opinion, that would secure this great boon was trade, and he looked to this line to bring a Jarg© accession of trade to the port." Leaving ont the question of showing a friendly fceli: ■» to our neighbours at Stratford, emph islsad by several of the speaker?, se l ?- iater*st alone 6hould cause New Plymonth people to take a lively inters.-:; in the proceedings on Thursday. The remarks of the Mayor that this line is probably the forerunner of a scheme < 'f light lines, embracing one to Opunake acd one to Awakino. The position or New Plymouth as a pert, with three such important lines converging upon it, is very pleasing to contemplate, and it only requires the energy and enterprise displayed by the people of Stratford in connection with their line to bring it about. We hope to eee the train to Stratford well filled on Thursday, and that employers will facilitate in every possible way the attendance of those in their employ on such an important occasion. Even now it is set too late, if the business people are united in wishing a holiday, to approach the Mayor by way ef requisition.