WANGANUI HEADS RAILWAY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5384, 5 August 1884, Page 2

WANGANUI HEADS RAILWAY.

TURNING THE FIRST SOD,

Shortly after 3 o'clock yesterday a large number of persons, between 200 and SO ), assembled at the Gas Works for the purpose of witnessing the turning of the first sod of the Heads Railway. A platform, conaistiur of sleepers, had been arranged, and in front of this were placed the orthodox barrow and spade, and a plank was laid down, along which the barrow was to be wheeled. The following directors took up their position on the platform :— Messrs Geo. Hutchison, J. Abbot, H. Cornfoot, J, G. Sharpe, and F. Richards. There were also Mr C. S. Cross (secretary), Mr Atkins (engineer), and a few ladies and gentlemen.

Mr Hutchison (acting chairman of directors) then came forward, and said : — Ladies and gentlemen, the time honored custom, which we meet here to-day to take part in, is cne which the directors hope will be the beginningof auspicious times. With the Heads Kailway the directors have not had much to encourage them in the past. They have had difficulties and opposition ou every side, but now they have resolved to go on with the work in the faith that a future for Wan«anui and the district is now opening up, which will give them every satisfaction in persevering. The beginning of their enterprise was strangely associated with a beginning of depression all over New Zealand, and I think this is a happy augn;y that the dark cloud of depression whioh seems to be all over the land is now breaking. It is in the hope of a brighter future, that we commence this work, and to commence our work under good auspice 9, I now call on Miss Medley to 1 turn the first sod.

Miss Medley here came forward and placed the first sod in the barrow, afterwards wheeling it to tbe end of the planking, 'andtnrning it out in good style. Three cheers were then given for tbe Heads Railway Company, and one for Miss Medley, after which those present, at the invitation of the Directors, drank success to> the Heads Railway Company in bumpers of champagne.