OPENING oF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE LITTLE RIVER AND AKAROA RAILWAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 616, 9 June 1882, Page 2

OPENING oF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE LITTLE RIVER AND AKAROA RAILWAY.

If even there was cause for congratulation amongst Penlnsnl.i settlers, it was on Wednesday when the first section of the Peninsula Railway waa opened. The great interest shown was exemplified in the large attendance, in spite of the very doubtful weather ; and another further fact, that most of those present were not merely neighbors, but had traversed many a weary mile to be present.

It was cold and showery looking at 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday, when our reporter and some gentlemen, who had received a kindly invitation from Mr Sam. Lee to be driven to the scene of tho festivities, went aboard the steam launch, on their, way to Barry's Bay. where Mr Lee's buggy, was to be in waiting for them. The sea was nearly calm, and the surrounding mountains looked even more picturesque than usual with their sriosvy caps, across which occasional showers were driving, while here and there brilliant patches of rainbow covered the cold landscape with a look of warmth and splendour.

A long walk up tho old Barry's Bay wharf, a hearty greeting from our friend sum Lee, unci v.-c aro " at! aboard " and ti-avoiling at a capital rate behind a pair oil nice hay*, who know how to take a load up a hill. Wo were ;.li Lold to look at our watches to see how long the journey would take, and of cours? this o-'iise*-! agreeable discus Hon. Up f*nd up the hill wo went, the ** Northern Whip " \.ho was one of oar passengers, remarking on certain 'alterations since his day. A. iutiL" iiicio ihiiu hv.i£ way up tiie ascent

the snow lino was reached, and we were alt glud when we reached that hotel which is named after another member of our company, to interview Mrs Brooks.

Your reporter noticed that there was far freer discussion after this point, and we went down the hill right merrily, and rattled through Little River, where the Northern Whip again expressed himsel fas astonished at the many improvements, and the A 1 auctioneer, who was also aboard, showed us where his new yards were to be, close to the proposed Little River station.

■ At host Olphert's we had a very welcome snack, and then came the pleasantest part oi: the ride, the journey round tho bends of Lake Forsyth. Owing to the peculiar state of the atmosphere, the reflection of the surrounding scenery in the bosom of the lake was marvehously vivid. Dark bush, passing clouds, rainbow-lighted valleys, and sunny slopes were repeated with a softened fidelity exquisitely beautiful, and w* all got on good terms with the world and ourselves when we travelled merrily along Birdling'a Flat to the present terminus, reaching'it almost at the same.moment as the train from Christchurch. During tho latter part of the way we had had many outriders in attendance. Past and present occupiers of the municipal chair of Akaroa, the chairman of tho ' leading Road Board, and a number of other people galloped ahead, trotted alongside, or cantered behind ; and right glad were we all to stretch our legs on the fine dry shingle bed surrounding the new station of Biidling's Fiat. The train from Christchurch brought about 200 people, including Mr Ruddenklau, Mayor of Christchurch, and several Councillors, Drs. Prankish and Doyle, the Chief Postmaster, Mr Lock, Mr Strange, and others too numerous to mention individually. A'l agreed that had the weather been fine, some 500 or 600 would have taken advantage of the excursion. The genial Traffic Manager, Mr Back, was heie, there aud everywhere, endeavoring, as usual, to find out the wants of the district, in order that he might devise the best scheme for gratifying them, and after a good deal of shaking hands we all formed into a ring aud commenced business. THE INTRODUCTION. Mr Coop, who was indefatigable in seeing the arrangements satisfactorily carried out, said that he regretted much the unavoidable absence of their member. Mr Montgomery, who had, however, in a telegram to the Mayor of Akaroa (see Borough Council report), shown the great interest he took in the matter. The Hon. Sir John Hall had also manifested great interest in the matter. He and the other residents of Little River had watched with intense interest the progress, step by step, of the new line, till it had been completed to the base of the hills. It was a matter of great congratulation to residents in this beautiful county, whose magnificent pastures and exquisite scenery wejo thus, as it were, opened. to the public, to see the line of railway bringing them into easy communication with the people of the plains. They were there standing within sight of the Little River bush, lie might almost say within sight of Akaroa, only one range dividing them from that fertile and picturesque locality. It was a da}' of intense gratification to him, as it did not only speak of tho accomplished present, but foretold what they might expect in the future. (Applause.) He begged to introduce to Mr Back those members of tho County Council that were present, they being tho chief body on the Peninsula, viz., the Rev. R. R. Bradley and Messrs J. Gebbie and G. R. Joblin.

After the introduction Mr G. R. Joblin said, that as a member of the County Council, he had to say a few words. Nothing could have given him more pleasure than to be present at a ceremony which he might term the opening of the door of the Peninsula. He looked upon ihe line with conflicting feelings of pride and humiliation, priclo that they had carried the railway so far, and humiliation that matters had not been better arranged. There was no doubt that the line would be extended to Akaroa, and he thought the error that had been made had been in taking it to Lincoln. Directly the railway reached Little River it would become profitable, but the greatest results would follow if it were carried to the magnificent harbor that laid beyond. Great engineers were at work making a watery highway through the Isthmus of Panama, and that once accomplished, the nearest and best harbor for the huge steamers that would carry their mails by the shortest and most direct route to England would be the Harbor of Akaroa. Sooner or later, therefore, the lino must be extended, developing new industries as it progressed, and thereby adding to the productiveness and prosperity of this feitile Peninsula. He regretted that the line had been taken to Lincoln. In his opinion it should have gone through the Halswell and Tai Tapu district, thereby tapping much fertile country, and rendering the road to Christchurch shorter, (Hear, hear.) It had been mooted that tho residents of Halswell had it in contemplation to take advantage of the Railway Act, aud get a branch line through their district nnd if this were done, and the line joined to this, it would, he believed, make it more profitable. He did not consider that so far they were under the smallest obligation to the Government, for the funds from the reserves and land had been more than adequate to meet all the expenditure. They could therefore fairly claim a part of the loan for the further extension of the line and the formation of the tunnel. The line was now at an awkward terminus, and must be carried further to prove its utility. Mr Coop then introduced Mr Back to Mr Robert Forbes (Chairman of the Little River Road Board)

Mr Forbes' said that he was glad to be present. It was three years since the first sod of the railway had been turned, and he gladly welcomed tho completion of the first section. Tho line would be an immense benefit as a means of transit and carriage. It was true they had a water road, but it had been a very disadvantageous one. The district was now placed in a much better position, but he hoped, that the line would be speedily extended to Little River at ;iny rate, as till that was done, the .full advantage oi: the line won hi not be felt by the residents on ibis side of the saddle.

Mr Coop said lie was giad to see their old friend Mr Parkinson present, who had been so long on the Peninsula. Mr Parkinson said the prosperity of the Peninsula was increasing. During the last, seven months ho had kept an account and ascertained that no less than 00.000 aheap had during tiiat period, passed

along the lake road. Now, he thought that if the railway authorities were to so arrange the tariff as to make it cheaper for these sheep to be taken by rail than driven by the road it would pay everybody. People would much rather send their sheep by rail if they could, for nowadays they could get no accommodation from the bloated squatters. He was sure the line would not, stop there, (hear, hear from Mr Coop)"but would, be extended to the bush, and he was sure it would be an immense benefit to the Peninsula public, and also a source of revenue to the Government, if arrangements were made for the cheap transit of their principal production, viz., stock, to the central market at Addington. Mr Coop then introduced Pits Worship tho Mayor of Akaroa and Crs Waeckerle, McGregor and Black.

His Worship the Mayor of Akaroa said that Messrs Coop and Joblin had so fully explained matters that he had really little to say. Ho begged, however, to express his great gratification at the completion of this seeiion of the line, which he thought was a great benefit to the whole of the Peninsula. Some day, he had no doubt, tho line would be connected, by means of a tunnel through the hill, with the magnificent harbor of Akaroa, whose deep waters, sheltered from the stormy pea, formed a haven almost unequalled, which no doubt in the times to come would be visited by large vessels of war. Ho was. certain that the time would come when it wou'd b? utilised.

Mr Back, in reply, said it afforded him great pleasure to meet them on that occasion. Ho was always glad to be present on the occasion of the opening of any of the Canterbury 'railways. He had never visited Akaroa, but had heard many speak of it as the finest harbor in New Zealand. They had got the railway so far, and it might; at present be termed, as happily said by Mr Joblin, the key of the Peninsula ; but he had no doubt it would be carried further. They had only to remember the Moorhouse tunnel to remind them that they need not lose heart. They all knew what opposition that project had been met with, and its triumphant accomplishment : and he saw no reason to doubt that the time would coino when the hill near them would be pierced, and Akaroa Harbor connected with the railway system of New Zealand. He came among them almost as a stranger, and what he asked them to do was to make known their wants to him as fully as they possibly could, so that he might remedy any defects. He did not expect a heavy traffic now, but he thought that in the summer there would be many visitors who would travel so far, and then go by coach to Akaroa. He again urged them to let him know their wants, so that he might see they were properly attended to, (Applause.)

Mr Baker (Chairman of the Akaroa County Council) who had only just arrived, said he should like to say a few words. He was sony he was so late, but he had received no intimation as to where the ceremony would be held, and therefore fancied it would take place at Olphert's Hotel. As they all knew his private duties took up a largo portion of his time, but he had done his best, and now he was present begged to congratulate them on the completion of the first step of the railway to Akaroa. The line was bound to come to Akaroa eventually. It might be seven or seventy years, but come it would at inst, and then those living in Akaroa would re&p an immense benefit, for there was no such beautiful spot in tho province, he might say in Now Zealand. He had visited most of the other parts of the colony, including the grand lakes of Otago, and when he returned , had been thankful to think that he was living in the prettiest and most convenient locality in the whole of New Zealand. He thought the line would have to be extended to Little River before it would be a profitable one. As they knew there was another route by which Christchurch could be reached from Akaroa at 2 p.m., and this was much quicker for him though he lived on the Wainui side. They should therefore try and get the line as far as Little River, when it would become the shortest and easiest route. Besides this they could not expect so many visitors to a terminus on a monotonous flat, as if it were carried into the beautiful hill country. Ho congratulated those present on the completion of the first section of the line. A booth had been erected by MrOlpllMt for the convenience of visitors, and this was liberally patronised, the arrangements being vory good, and reflecting the greatest credit on Mr Olphert.

THE LUNCH. The lunch was spread in the New Railway Station. Some hundred people were invited, of whom about seventy found seats, Mr Baker (Chairman of the County) occupying the chair, and Mr Adams (Alayor of Akaroa) the vice-chair. i After "The Queen" had been duly honored- " The Governor and Government of New Zealand were proposed by the Vice-chair, tho proposer saying ho hoped they would now be more considered, for hitherto, owing* to difficulty of communication, they had been quite out in the cold. During his thirty years' residence ho remembered few visits from those high in authority. Mr Bolleston, it was true, had taken great interest, but had not been appreciated as he should have been. He (the speaker) had travelled that road when the first part of the Little River road was made. There was little money then, and land had been set aside to pay for it. He begged to propose tho toast. The Chairman asked them to fill their glasses to the brim for it now became his pleasant duty- to propose the toast of the day. He folt it was hardly fair to have to do this, as he was quite unprepared for | tho honor, however he would try to do Ins best, and what he did say would, be said in all sincerity. He continued : '.Gentle - men, —I consider this is one of the greatest I days for the Peninsula we have ever seen. I It may truly be called a red letter day. 1 I do not expect that the line will be a great success till it is further extended, but the completion of this section binds us to & policy of progress, and makes it incumbent on us all to unite in pushing the line forward till it becomes remunerative". For the present we shall have to depend\ upon visitors to m-ife-*- the lino pay, but by { and bye, when the line gets more established, we must make the tunnel through the hill, aud .take steps to utilise our magnilicevit harbor, which is quite as good ill not bettor than Lyttelton. I am aware wo shall nave great vested interests to contend against, but the time will come when we shall ship a large portion of the grain produced. I think the line should have been tauen along the spit to tap the j&liosuiere and Ashburton districts. This

would insure us our share of the grain ! trade, and make the line a financial success. There are not nearly such good building sites in Lyttelton as we have in. Akaroa, and I am sure that as a place of resid.mce we have grea advantages over the other port. Gontleuien, I will not detain yon longer, as I gaid before, 1 am not prepired to in ike a speech. I ask** you to drink the toast of ■' Success to tho Akaroa and Little River Railway," coupled with the name of Mr Buck. The toast was drunk with musical j honors. JL Mr Back said he felt considerable denco. He w&s a modest man, and the cordial reception he had received quite unmanned him. He thanked them for having,, drunk the toast, and had much pleasure in being amongst them, as it gave him an opportunity of meeting them, both in his private and official capacity, and learning what they desired. The line had been** truly termed by one of the speakers a key, and ho quite agreed that it was the key one of the most important districts in Colony. There was much land, at present scantily covered with tussock, that would produce vast quantities of grain, now that ._ carriage could be procured : and that and the timber would make the line pay in the . future. He hoped the line would shortly be extended still further, and, as he had said before that day, they should never be ** - lfcipV*-h«ftrted about getting the railway throuib the hill, with the example of the Moorhouse tunnel before them. (Cheers.) Mr (Coop proposed "The Public Works Department," coupled with the names of Mr Lock, Engineer, and Messrs Coutts and McGrath the contractors for the line.

Mr Lock said they had done well to get * the line so far, but the present terminus was in a remarkable spot, and very poor land in fact, it might be said the line ended nowhere. Ho had no doubt they would soon have it further on. **

Mr Coutts thanked them for drinking his health. He was glad to he present at a pleasant gathering of this sort. They would make the railway pay if they all united. He was not a Little River colonist but he had hopes of making the Line to Little River. (Applause). This would necessitate another drop of champagne.

Mr Barrett replied for Mr McGrath, who was absent.

Dr. Frankish said he had a most important toast to propose, viz.,." Tho Agricultural and Pastoral Interests." He was well fitted to do so, as he was the only one of a large family who had not followed agricultural and pastoral pursuits. He was glad the line had got so.far towards Akaroa and thought they should get the line on as soon as possible, as the present terminus was certainly in an out-of-the-way spot. Ibis lino would no doubt develop fresh industries' in passing through the country, as railways did in other parts of New Zeealand. He begged to propose the toast, coupled with the names of Messrs Parkinson and J. Gebbie.

Mr Parkinson, in responding, said that he believed there was no part of New Zealand so suited for pastoral purposes as the Peninsula. It would carry more stock to the acre than any other part of the colony, and the railway should endeavor t*> offer every facility forgetting them away. Year by year as the bush was cleared the land was carrying more, and he believed that when the whole was cleared it would carry three times as much stock as it did at present. During tho hist seven or eight months more stock had passed to and fro on the Christchurch road than the previous fifteen or sixteen years, viz, 50,000 sheep, and these alone ought to be enough to support a line of railway. Sheep had been increasing and cattle getting less, but when the Freezing Company had established operations beef would be mora valuable. He was sure that plenty of grain would he grown now they had carriage. There was lota of land fit for the plough though it loo'ced rough and hilly. He believed that in a few years the tunnel would bo made and the botch at Timaru would tend to draw traffic to this line. If the people of Akaroa had their eyes open they would get up an agitition to encourage the extension of the line

Mr Gebbie had much pleasure in returning thanks, and was glad to see the lino opened so far. They had had, he would not say a battle to fight, but great opposition to encounter in first starting the railway. He referred to i being a member of the Lake Trust, who I had gnat difficulties to contend with. A -lnemipr of thai Trust had said that day that the line had better have been carried in another direction, but they had obeyed the voice of the people in taking it to Lincoln, and it was quite possible there would be a branch to Burnham before long which would connect it with the South. There was an objection to this line being made through Tai Tapu and Halswell, as there would then be three parallel lines of railway at a very short distance from each other and they must recollect that people living within seven miles of Christchurch would never make a line pay, as it was as easy for them to cart to Addington. He hoped that in another month or two the seven miles more, required to carry the railway to Little River would be finished. Until the railway was in existence they had grown no grain along the lake, but now he and others did a bit of farming and he might inform them that his land that year had averaged forty bushels of wheat to the acre.

The Chairman said ho was certain the time would come when a line would run along the spit connecting Akaroa with the grain.growing country of the South, MrG. R. Joblin proposed "The Visitors." He was glad to see so many present, and amongst them the, Mayor of Christchurch, who had been kind to him when he first came out. Mr Ruddenkhiu was not Mayor then, and never thought he would be so. There was another gentlemen present who had occupied the Mayoral chair of Akaroa, and who had also shown him great kindness twenty years ago— he alluded to Mr Waeckerle—and Mr Adams, the present Mayor, who he was also glad to see present, had also always been most kind in all transactions they had had together. He begged to propose " The Visitors." ■ Mr Ruddenklau responded. He thanked tlieuj for tho kindly reception accorded the \toast, and said he was delighted to be present on the occasion of another link being added to the Canterbury railways. No doubt it would tend to develop tho district, and he hoped before long it would be carried "*- further. The lino would be of great benefit to the citizens of Christchurch, who •.fomld no doubt take advantage of it for tne\ benefit of their health He was glad to old friends pre-, sent,particular! from Akaroa whom

be did not often meet, owing to the difficulty of communication. He hoped this latter would soon be a thing of the past, and that the door would speedily be opened lo get into that splendid harbor. Mr Coutts proposed the health of " Their Entertainers." Ho had never anticipated such a gatheiing, and had never dieamt that it was in Birdling'a Flat to produce so much --Krug;*" but it uhowod bow the railway developod things. Messrs Coop and Joblin suitably responded. Mr Garwood said that of all the toasts >o-iven there were none of more importance than " The Lake Trust.'' They had been the first to start in the matter, and had been the true means towards the_ end. Those .gentlemen had worked bard without hope of reward or present remuneration, and the fact that they were there to celebrate the opening of the first section of the line that day was, in no small measure, due to the members of the Lake Trust. He coupled the toast with ihe names of Messrs Joblin and Gebbie. Mr Joblin in responding, said that if it came to the -chronological oeder of things Mr Garwood himself occupied no unimportant position as Omit man of the Akaroa Railway Committee, which had really been the first body to start fhe matter. He begged to propose the health of Mr Gar.wood and the Committee.

Mr Garwood made a humoious response, ending by saying that tbe Committee was not dead, and never would be till the line was completed to Akaroa. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the Meeting, and the visitors visited Olpherts Hotel and other localities till the time arrived for their return to Cbrisl■church. The Akaroa continent had a rather damp, but on tho' whole pleasant journey home.