OPENING OF THE LA WHENCE RAILWAY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 781, 6 April 1877, Page 3

OPENING OF THE LA WHENCE RAILWAY.

(Condensed from Tuapoka Times.) This important ceremony took place last Monday, and was as successful, regarded from all points of view, as tho most sanguine could have wished. Tho line is exactly twenty-two miles long. It leaves tho mam line at Clarkesville, 371 miles from town—the total distance to Lawrence being 5!) I miles., and cost 1.200, 000, Messrs Smyth and AVain being the contractors ;Mr AV. N. Elair, Chief, and MrAV. Dartnell, Resident Engineer, and Messrs Hunter and M'Millan, Inspectors. At an early hour in the morning Lawrence was stirring, and it was quite evident from the number of persons in the streets at what we may term the milkman’s hour, that something unusual was going to occur. Flags were being hois,fed in various parts of the town, and everything wore quite a holiday appearance. Mr Storry. who had been appointed flag-master by the Demonstration Committee, secured a number of flags from Mr Edmond of Dunedin, and these were hung across from the Town Hall to Air M. Hay’s auction rooms opposite. The residents inight he seen in small knots of three or four, discussing the probable advantages of railway communication with Dunedin, while others were blessing the engineer for tho handsome buildings he designed at the terminus. The little debate?, however generally wound up with tho argument th it half a loaf was better than no bread, and that we should he thankful for small mercies. Towards one o’clock, the hour at Which the train was expected from Dunedin, the crowd of holiday-seekers wended their way towards the railway station. Arranged near the platform were about 400 children from the various -schols in the district, under the immediate command, for this occasion, of Mr H. L. Squires. Near them was the brass hand, and facing the little ones Mr E. Tovvsey, who officiated as musical director the conductor. The train arrived at a quarter to one, and after the visitors had left the carriages, the children sang the New Zealand Hymn, written by Mr Thomas Bracken. The time kept was excellent, and the effect of all the little voices in perfect harmony, was really beautiful. The hymn being concluded, Mr Horace Bastings mounted the steps of tho engine, and on behalf of tho Government, formally declared the Lawrence lino open for regular traffic. The announcement was received with loud cheering. A move was made for the Town Hall, where tiie banquet was to he held. This, the most important event in tho opening ceremony, took place at 2 o’clock in the Town Ball. About 200 persons sat down to -an excellent cold collation purveyed by Mrs George Silk, and we do not flatter the caterer when we say that the banquet was equal to any we have sat down to either in Dunedin or elsewhere. The viands, which were of the best description, were in abundance, and there was no lack of anything. The Chair was occupied by Mr Horace Bastings, M.H.R., while his AVorship the Mayor officiated as Vice-Chair-man. To the left -aI the Chairman, we noticed Messrs Seaton, M H.R., Conyers, Green, Cargill, Hislop, and Bell—and to the right, the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Messrs Burns, M.H.R., \V. N. Blair, M'C.arthy, Steward (Mayor of Oamaru), Mouat, Stout, M.H.R., Professor M‘Gregor, T. K. AVoldon, and R. H. Leary. The Lawrence Brass Band, under the eadersliipof Air Corrison, played appropriate selections during the banquet. After the cloth had been removed, The Chairman proposed the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, “ The Queen and Royal fimily,” and “ His Excellency the Governor.”

The ATce-Chairman, in proposing the “Parliament of New Zealand,” coupled with the names of Messrs Reynolds and Stout.

These toasts being responded to and speeches made by Mr Blair (the Chief-En-gineer), Mr Smyth (Contractor), Mr Steward (Mayor of Oamarn), Mr Cargill, and a number of other gentlemen, and after the Chairman’s health was proposed by Air H. S. Fish, junr., and responded to, the company separated, and strode 1 about the town till the shrill whistle of the engine warned visitors that it was time to get down to the station. At a quarter to six the train heavily freighted, moved out of the terminus, amidst the hearty cheers of those assembled on the platform. The run down to Clarksville occupied one hour and twentyfive minutes. Here the special waited till the clown train for Clutha had passed, and then steamed ahead for Dunedin. The guests one and all pronounced the whole day’s celebration a great success, and were lend in their praises of Lawrence and its inhabitants. Not on accident happened during the day to mar tho pleasures of tho opening ceremony, and as we predicted in a former issue, “ All went merry as a marriage hell.” In the evening the hall given by Mrs Sdk was well attended, and dancing kept up till daylight did appear. This concluded the clay’s celebration, which was most successful all throughout. On Tuesday the trains commenced to run regularly from Lawrence to Dunedin. The morning train leaves at 0.15, and the evening one at 5 o’clock.