OPENING OF THE PORT CHALMERS RAILWAY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 165, 7 January 1873, Page 5

OPENING OF THE PORT CHALMERS RAILWAY.

(Daily Times.) The formal opening of this line took place on Tuesday, Dec. 31. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Bowen, and suite, arrived at the Dunedin Railway Station at about half-past twelve o'clock. Soon afterwards the Vice-Regal party, and a large number of other ladies and gentlemen, who had been invited by Messrs Oliver and Proudfoot, proceeded by special train to Port Chalmers. The visitors inspected the recently erected pier and ships on either side. These, and other vessels, displayed bunting ; and before the party returned, Lady Bowen consented to christen the pier, naming it the Bowen Tier. A few remarks were then made by His Excellency, expressive of the pleasure it gave him to have his name associated with so important a work. The time occupied in returning to Dunedin was Wenty-two minut s, being, so we are informed, the quickest journey yet made. Shortly after two o'clock His Excellency and suite, the promoters of the railway, and guests, assembled in the large hall of the University, and partook of LUNCUKOX. Mr R. Oliver presided. He was supported on the light by His Excellence, the Right Rev. Bijhop Nevill, and Sir F. D. Dull ; and on the left by His Honor the Superintendent, Mis Honor Mr Justice Chapman, Mr D. PromL'oot, and Jiis Worship the Mayor. The health of His M\ceiluney was proposed by Mi' Justice Chapman, and Sir George concluded hid reply in the following words : "lean assure you that whatever destiny IVovidencn may have in store for me in the future, I shall alwavs look back with proud remembrance of this great Colony of New Zealand, where 1 have spent five of my best and happiest years, where one of mv children has been born, and with whose history, during a critical period, my name must ever be associated. The principal events that have occurred during my administration are—first, the establishment of what I thoroughly believe is a permanent with the Maoris —that noble and formidable race—the most formidable that ever came into contact with civilised men ; and, secoudlv, the initiation of that large scheme of Public Works and Immigration, now sanctioned by two Parlia-ments.--(Applause.) T need scarcely say that I have not the most remote idea (if touching upon any controverted question in Colonial politics—l hope I know my constitutional duty too well for that—but I believe it is the opinion of every reasonable man of all parties, that the proper course for the Colony was to combine the prudence of the Englishman with the energetic enterprise of the American. —(Applause.) You then combine, in one word, the ' all right' of England with the 'go-ahead' of America. -(Applause.) I believe this liapnv combination will be carried out in New Zealand ; at any rale, I am sure if will be carried o it in Otago, for hj to we have the prudence of the Englishman, the go ahi ladism of tiie American, judiciously blended vith tV> nmvorhial c.i.uniness of the Scotchman. (laughter and applaiue.)"