OPENING OF THE RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 3374, 18 May 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF THE RAILWAY

From an early hour in the forenoon yesterday, the river bank road was thronged with' people on foot and in conveyances, ,en route for the railway station. The clay was beautifully fine, a clear air and bracing breeze together with a warm sunuy atmosphere, rendering things outsiders pleasant and as cheerful as could be.. By 10 a.m. a very large concourse of people had assembled at the station, calculated at a number not less than 600. The fair sex were well represented, and the gathering had an air of holiday-making activity apparent in all the movements, that augured well for the success of the demonstration., One of the small engines waa running backwards and forwards over the brioge, the approach to which was gay with flags. The locomotive also was specially decorated for the occasion, as the formal unrobing and " bapteezement " had not yet takeu place. Upon Miss Dnrie this duty devolved', and as the inevitable champagne sparkled forth from the broken bottle, the words "Guy Mannering " fell from the lips of the fair operateur. Simultaneously with this formal ceremonial the enveloping folds of bunting were removed from the body of the engine, and the christening ivaß over. Previously, the train had drawn up at the platform of the Aramoho junction, which waa now a'thiekly packed masa of excursionists. Looking at the number of people who pressed forward to obtain seats, visions of the impending necessity for a second train became tnoro apparent. Capital order was maintained, a number of the police force being present to prevent accident and restrain any disposition to overcrowd. When everything was arranged, the doors of the carnages were opened, admittance beiug given first to ladies and to those of the other sex who had secured tickets. But it was soon seen that the carriage accommodation provided was capable of almost limitless extension. In a few minutes, and after some judicious arrangements of space, it was found that there was ample room for all. For the use of a crowd of lads and some of the aboriginal element, three trucks were pressed into service, which latter were soon tilled with a motley crowd of occupants. Every provision appeared to have been made that it was possible to have anticipated, in order to secure the comfort and convenience of the excursionists, and though there was occasionally a little crowding, still no one seemed to btf disposed to be churlish on account of the temporary cramping to which all were unavoidably subjected. It was a cheerful and animating sight to see the train in readiness for starting, all the windows of the carriages down, inside all the thickly packed, jolly crowd, all excitement for the journey, every one apparently in the best of humour. Guards were attached to each carriage, and through their careful watchfulness no accidents have to be recorded to mar the pleasurable remiuiacencies of the day. Messrs Eees and Passmore, with their respective staffs of officials, were indefatigable in the discharge of their manifold and responsible duties, and deserve credit for the excellent management, mainly owing to which no hitch occurred where any suffered discomfort. By 11/30. all were seated, and with hearty cheers from the paßseugers, me uaiu passed over the bridge to the other side, where another engine was attached and the holiday journey was commenced. As we have fully described the route on previous occasions, recapitulating the features already enlarged upon would have no interest for our readers. We will merely Si»y that the inaugural demonstration took place under most auspicious surroundings, and with such accompaniments in the shape of abundant elements of enjoyment, that the clay will be looked back to by many with none but happy associations and recollections. All things combined to favour the gathering, which wa3 orderly and successful beyond anticipation. But we niuat now proceed without further diversion to notice the actual trip ami to briefly describe certain other pleasing associations connected with it.

At every stage along the line of route additional demands were ni;ide upon the iiccommodutiuiiuf the already overcrowded carriages, but ou all sides a disposition was evinced to extend the privilege of the day's outing to us many as possible. Owing to the many stoppages, and the l.u-ge number of carriages, the time occupied in miming the diamnce necessarily exceeded considerably that which is set

down on the time table, being about an hour and three quarters as against an hour and twenty. five minutes. Arrived at the Turakina station, the train was met by a number of the residents, and a considerable representation of the native population, from the latter of whom especially the visitors received a demonstrative welcome. Before the large company had dispersed, His Worship the Mayor stepped forward, and addressing Mr Passmoro, Superintending Engineer of Constructed} Railways, expressed the very great pleasure he felt at being present at the opening of the first portion of a line wliich was destined ere long to aid so materially in developing tho resources and increasing the traffic of a vast extent of country. It had not been his privilege from personal observation to have much experience o° the wonderful transformations wrought by the inauguration of the railway system, but when the proposal was first put forth as to the desirability of making tho construction of railways a primary feature in a new scheme of colonisation, he afc once recognised in it a proposal peculiarly adapted to the necessities of a new country so rich in the varied natural resources that would pay for developing. There were some who from the first doubted the wisdom of thus endeavouring to force colonisation, but for himself he had never wavered in his opinions, and felt as confident on this auspicious day of the wisdom of the scheme as he did when it was first originated. He would again compliment Mr t'assmore upon the satisfactory completion and successful inauguration of the line that day opened for traffic. Hearty and repeated cheers were then given for the Mayor, the lady Mayoress, Miss Dime, and Mr Uees. Immediately thereafter, a large company of ladies and gentlemen, by invitation from the Mayor and the Resident Engineer, assembled in the commodious goods' shed to partake of a sumptuous luncheon which those gentlemen had very considerately provided. As, however, the accommodation and appliances were to permit of such a number all being seated at one time, the gentlemen gallantly gave place 1 to the ladias, and exerted themselves to the utmost in ministering to the tastes and necessities of the many fair creatures around the board. It would be doing the charming village of Turakina no injustice 1 did we venture to assert that never before had hall or public assembly been honored by such a gathering of youth, beauty, and fashion as yesterday graced the humble building which will in future be devoted to the meaner service of receiving goods. Before the ladies rose from the tables, His Worship the Mayor called upon the gentlemen present to appropriately acknowledge the pleasure and honor which the favour of their presence afforded and conferred. The proposal having been enthusiastically received and carried into effect, a unanimous mil induced Mr Parrington to respond on behalf of the ladies. In so dying, he said, he only regretted that the call had not fallen on some gentleman more competent to do it honor. On behalf of the ladies, he thanked the company for their kindly expressions of esteem and regard, and begged to assure them that, in the march of improvement, in the progress of civilization, in everythiug that tended to make a nation great and a people, happy, the ladies, with whom he for the nonce identified himself, would never lag behind, but would rather, by their gentle sj'inpathy, arid cheerful cooperation, foster and encourage every good word and work. After the ladies had retired, and the gentlemen had feasted, His Worship called upon the company to charge their glasses in honor of Mr Rees, Resident Engineer. He had especial pleasure in proposing this toast, not alone from the fact that Mr Rees was an old and valued settler amongst them, but also because the line of railway over which they had so safely and pleasantly travelled was the result of his superior engineering skill. It was a matter of the utmost importance to a country that works of magnitude, involving a heavy expenditure, should be constructed with due ra»ard not only to present cost, but to future permanence it was therefore a in actor for congratv.lation that.the present line, notwithstanding the many difficulties to be overcome;, had been so successfully completed, and that under the engineering supervision of one of themselves. The toast was received with cheers. Mr Rees, in acknowledging the v«ry hearty manner in which his health had been received, said ho believed that day was the commencement of a great future for Wanganui. It meant increased facilities for trade — it paved the way for opening up the country. He hoped the day wu3 not very far distant when Wauganui would be connected with Wellington by rail. Shortly after 3 o'clock, the passengers began to re-assemble, having in the meantime taxed the provisioning facilities of the Turakina hotelkeepers to the utmost, but of Host Belvue in particular, owing; to his proximity to the station. At 3.30 a start was made for home, which was reached without any misadventure, saving a slight stoppage which occurred on the steep ascent of the Wangaehu hill, caused by its sharp curves and tortuous windings. Altogether, the day was one of complete enjoyment, and apparently afforded perfect satisfaction to all concerned. The railway officers were most courteous and considerate, no unnecessary restrictions being imposed upon the freedom of passengers, but every care being taken at the sama time to guard against the danger of possible accidents. We trust that the line thus auspiciously inaugurated will prepare the way for results answering to the most sanguine expectations.