THE OCEAN BEACH RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3693, 23 December 1874, Page 3

THE OCEAN BEACH RAILWAY.

This afternoon the ceremony of turning the first sod of the Dunedin, Peninsula, and Ocean Beach Railway took place. His Honor the Superintendent, the Provincial .Secretary, the Provincial Treasurer, his Worship the Mayor and several of the City Council were present, A new barrow and spade, prepared for the occasion, were presented by Mr D. Proud foot, one of the directors of the Company, to his Honor, who, taking off his coat, filled the barrow in a workmanlike manner, amid the cheers of the many spectators. The second bawow was. filled by Mr Barnes, Inspector of Works to the City Corporation. Mr W. J. M. Larnach followed, and displayed equal skill and energy as a workman with Mr Barnes. His Honor tlen addressed those present. He described the ceremony as a new epoch in New Zealand Railways, as it is to be carried out by private enterprise, all the Company asking, being the use of the Bay forshore and to be at the cost of reclamation. He trusted the example set by the Company would be largely followed in the Province It was some four or five years ago that several now present witnessed the initiation of the Clutha Railway. Had he equal eloquence with Sir CJ Bowen, he would descant on the advantages to Dunedin. He considered the citizens of Dunedin under a debt of gratitude to the promoters for their aiding in c •nferrin'* health rn the citiz ns of Dunadin. He considered the line would onlv cost one-half of the railwavs made hy the General Government. Many believe i the railway would not pay. It was said so of the Port Chalmers Railway That cost six times as much per mile as this will cost; yet It showed a return of 20 per cent, on cost. This, he considered, would cost far less. One advantage would accrue to Government, as they would save many thousands in reclamation of the mud flat, and no doubt in a few years the flat would be covered with industrial establisbm nts brought into operation by this railway. After three cheers for the Queen and three cheers for the directors, Mr Eliott, on behalf of the directors, addressed those present, and the visitors adjourned to the refreshment tent.