EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1350, 30 January 1912, Page 4

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

FIRST SOD TURNED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Napier, January 29. A memorable event in tlie history of Hawko's Bay took place at West Shore when in tho presence of about 4000 people the first sod of tho Napier-Gisborne railway was turned this afternoon by tho Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward). The town was profusely decorated for tho occasion, most of tiro business placcs and many private residences displaying bunting; while streamers vera stretched across tho principal streets and at intervals along tho entire lino of route. Sir Joseph Ward was entertained at lunch at (he Masonic Hotel by the Kxecutive of the Citizens' Committee,_ among those present brring representatives of various local bodies throughout Uawke's Bay. Immediately after luncheon tho procession, headed" by threo bands, start - od for the scene of the ccremony, a liltlo over three miles from tho Napier Post Office. The route was lined with eager spectators, and as the principal participants in the procession passed by they wero frequently cheered and saluted. The scene at West Shore was an extremely gay one, the inner harbour beach being lined with over CO yachts with sails set and bunting flying. On arriving at the spot chosen for the coromony the Mayor (Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P.) presented Sir Joseph Ward, who was ncoompanicd by Lady Ward, with a silver-mounted spade. The Primo Minister then turned the first sod of tho Railway amid the enthusiastic cheers of the ass&mblcd crowd. In his speech Sir Joseph Ward said that work in the construction of the line would bo commenced in. real earnest within'the next ten. days. A HASTINGS VIEW. (By Telenripli.—Special Correspondent.) Hastings, January 29. Tho turning of tho first sod in connection with the East Coast railway has aroused no enthusiasm in Hastings. The feeling locally is that the Primo Minister has allowed himself to be over-persuaded bv Mr. Vigor Brovrn, with the object of placing out of court tho Hastings people, who had asked for a thorough export investigation of tho remta question at this end. It is considered little short of madness to send the lino along tho Petane beach, as seems to bo proposed. To-day's ceremony scorns obviously a most hurried affair, "it would appear that Sir Joseph Ward was waylaid on bis trip to Taupo, and persuaded by the Napier member to hurry the matter forvard. Tho initial ceremony, the sports, the making of the silver spade for Lady Ward, have since been arranged in desperate haste, and tinder tho circumstances the bulk of the people look on bewildered and wonder lust what is being done. Many local residents hold the view that if Mr. Mnssey is pla°ed in power, to-day's preceding* will be rendered null And void by the .setting up of a really competent and independent tribunal to investigate the route.