OPENING OF THE MATAURA RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3429, 17 February 1874, Page 3

OPENING OF THE MATAURA RAILWAY.

Close upon 601) persons availed themselves of the invitation of the contractors, Messrs Brogden and Sons, to witness the public opening of the line as far as Woodlands. A pleasant ride of thirty-five minutes from Invercargill landed the party at the Woodlands meat-preserving establishment, where lunch was laid at the meat works. The chair was taken by Mr J. W. Mitchell, the place of honor being occupied by Governor Weld, Mr Wade on the left. Mr D. M‘Arthur was vice-chairman. In proposing the toast, “The Governor,” the Chairman expressed regret that his Excellency was not present to take part in the proceedings, and remarked that, by a happy coincidence, they still had a Governor with them, withal an old and staunch friend of our own esteemed one, who would no doubt reply on his behalf. He asked them to give their friend and old fellow-colonist of thirty years’ standing—one who might fairly be called one of them, and who could not but take a lively interest in the Colony—a loyal and hearty welcome. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm, and with musical honors. His Excellency Governor Weld, who was received with cheers, said; I need hardly tell you that, having landed only this morning at the Bluff, it is a totally unexpected pleasure to find myself among you. it is, I may add, enhanced by the manner in which you have received the name of my friend, . v ir James Fergussou.—(Cheers.) I cordially endorse that expression of your appreciation, and can say, from my personal knowledge, that it would have given him pleasure to be tyre. 1 know already of the interest he has thrown into the affairs of the Colonies with which he has been connected, and feel assured that his influence will not be less energetically exercised in those of New Zealand. However, I am not here on behalf of Sir James F«rgussoq or apy other Governor ; I am here as one of yourselves—as one of the oldest colonists in this large assembly. In justflication of this broad assertion I may say that I took up my residence in the “ bush” of New Zealand in 1844, and during many years worked ray way up through the various gradations incidental to the life ot a colonist. 1 should be entirely destitute of feeling if I should be entirely destitute of pleasure at once more finding myself in New Zealand. It is indeed my greatest pride to have taken part in the framing of those institutions which have conduced to the prosperity of which proofs have met me ou every hand. Your chairman spoke of Western Australia, That Colony is a bab'y compared with New Zealand—it is only beginning to walk alone. It has been, and is, my desire to teach it to walk in the path its sister Colony has trodden. It is not for me to say whether my efforts have been crowned wuh success. 1 have been delighted to see the evidences of progress in this district, and must confess that’ I was not prepared to find such a town as yours, or such a railway as the one on which we have just travelled, in addition to the one from the Bluff. In conclusion, I will on y ask to be excused from formally proposing a toast, but perhaps you will allow me to drink “Prosperity to the district, prosperity to the town, and success to the railway and to those who made it, ” (Cheers.) The Chairman, in proposing the next toast, “The Premier: the Honorable Julius Vogel,” paid a high tribute to his energy, foresight, perseverance, and statesmanship. He alluded to the powerful opposition Mr Yogel tod met witty' t*nd remarked ttot the

highest compliment that could be offered him had been paid by the people of Nelson, who—formerly his bitterest opponents—had, on a recent occasion, acknowledged that he was right and they were wrong. Che toast was drunk with acclamation.

The Vice-Chat «MA2f then proposed “ The Health of his Honor the Superintendent.” He briefly referred to his untiring efforts to promote the progress of the Province. The toast was warmly received, the band playing “ For he’s a jolly good lellovv.” The next toast, “ ihe Parliament of New Zealand,” was proposed by Mr Blackwood, coupled with the name of Governor Weld, remarking that the Colony might justly be proud of its representatives. Hifa Exceli ency, in reply, said he had again an unexpected honor, that of returning thanks to an unforeseen toast. He could only say that he had long taken a deep interest in New Zealand affairs ; that it was so long ago as 1854 when he for the first time was returned to a seat in the New Zealand Parliament—a seat which he had held with but but brief intermissions till 18(35, when be retired on account of ill-health. When he spoke of the pleasure he felt as an old New Zealand settler, it was not without a recollection of the compensation that attended the always arduous and oft-times irksome work of a member of Parliament. There were naturally many differences and some sharp passages at arras, but he could remember no incidents in which he was not well received by that Parliament, nor any in which unpleasant personalities bad been brought to bear, the opposition being to the policy, not to the person. More than this :in every part of the world in which he had travelled —Great Britain or the neighboring Colonies —he had found but one opinion, that the character of the New Zealand Parliament stood as high as that of any under the Imperial rule. He did not say these things to flatter—it was well known he was not in the habit of doing so; but he would say that the New Zealand Parliament would highly and honorably compare with that of any other in any new country in the world. One thing more he desired to say. It was a good thing to keep a sharp look out for the faults and shortcomings of their representatives ; it was a healthy sign. But they must remember that theirs was an arduous task, and should not, even if they occasionally went astray, attribute improper motives. They should place confidence in their public men ; they had indeed done so, and that was one reason why New Zealand politicians had risen to a higher status than those of most other countries. He would thank them, on behalf of his own friends, for the manner in which the toast had been received. Mr Wade, in pioposing “Success to the Invercargill and Mataura Bail way,” said that whatever might be the result as regarded other lines, the one just opened could not fail to prove a reproductive work, were it only for the outlet afforded to the product of the vast works they had that day seen, works which utilized a previously dormant source of wealth—the line might be regarded as supplying an acknowledged want. A number of personal toasts followed—- “ The Contractors,” “Engineers,” “Mr Watson, the engineer of the Meat-preserving Work«,” “The Ladies,” and a vote of thanks to the Chairman.