FORMAL OPENING OF TIME OCEAN BEACH RAILWAY.

Evening Star, Issue 4264, 26 October 1876, Page 2

FORMAL OPENING OF TIME OCEAN BEACH RAILWAY.

The formal opening of this line took place at noon to-day. Some seventy gentlemen, including his Honor the Superintendent, the members of the Provincial Executive, the Mayor and City Council, and most of our leading citizens, the invitees of the Company lefb the central station at that hour by special train, and after, a pleasant run of about eight minutes were deposited exactly at the rear of the grand stand at Forbury Park. The Company's track is in capital running order, and for smoothness is much before the Colonial lines. The superiority of the Ocean Beaoh line in this respect is manifest the moment the train leaves 'the main line, when that jolting, so unpleasantly strong on the other line, at once ceases ; thus demonstrating the serviciableness and advantage of the old fish plates. Another matter that was the subject of general commendation was the elegant, comfortable, and roomy carriages they possess, four of which—two firat class and two second—were attached to the trains to-day. These carriages, which are turned out from the factory of Findlay and Co., while they hold quite as many passengers as those in ordinary use on the Government lines, are of different pattern, the seat* being arranged much after the style of the* carriages on the broad,gauge lines of Canterbury. Instead of compartments, there is a clear space of about twelve by two feet, the seats being placed all round the carriages, w,hich are entered by a door in the centre of each side. Of course, the first-lass carriages are better fitted up, but in all other respects the second-class is every bit as comfortable ; and with a table Bcrewed into the* floor, which might be easily contrived, they w«uld prove very popular with pic-nio or other parties proceeding by train any distance. Cedar and jarrah are the timbers used in the carriages, which, with the exception of the iron work, are wholly made by Findlay and Co., and are highly creditable to that firm. To return to to-day's proceedings. Those who went out to the Forbury by the first train at once found their way to the stewards' room (as the apology for a room is called) underneath the grand stand, where luncheon, was provided by Mr Sibbald, of the Pro' vincial Hotel. The chair was occupied by Mr David Proudfoot, and the vice-chair by MrG. W. Eliott. After the customary loyal toasts had been duly honored, The Vice-Chairman proposed the - health of his Honor the Superintendent. He said he felt in a somewhat peculiar position, as, with the near prosptKjt of the Provinces being abolished, it was probably the last occasion on which this toast would be drunk. (Laughter and cries of "No!") On such an occasion he would not introduce politics, and hoped succeeding speakers would refraia from doiug so. The company had to thank both the General and Provincial Governments for assisting them in constructing the line, and most "particularly his Honor, who both in his official capacity and as James Macandrew had taken that interest in the line which appertained to all his endeavors in regard to the Province and the Colony. At all events if the Province was wiped out they would never get the name of James Macandrew as that of a gentleman who had so long occupied the position of its Superintendent. (Loud cheers.)

His Honor, in reply, said he had been Superintendent for about twelve years altogether, and during th&t time had endeavored to io bis bast to fulfil bis duties. He did not know any political office in Few Zealand, the duties of which were more onerous or responsible than those of the Superintendent of r thiß Province. As he said before he bad always endeavored to perform those duties to the best of his ability. It appeared now that those duties were to be divided or rather diffused amongst eighteen or twenty different gentlemen, from the Governor downwards to members of the Executive and chairmen of County Councils, He only hoped that 'these duties might be better and more efficiently performed under tbis system ; he certainly did not think they could be more economically performed.— < (Hear.) That he ventured to prophecy. It had been said that language was given us to conceal our thoughts. "Well, the last time . he had occasion to address this assembly he did not conceal his thoughts, otherwise perhaps they might have had the present pleasure some eighteen months ago, However, he would not say anything that would . give offence to anybody. All would agree in this: that this was a red letter day in the history of Dunedin. He was very happy indeed to 1 have been the means, to some extent, of bringing aboutthe eventthey were now celebrating. There was no doubt whatever that 25,000 men, women, and children, now located in Dunedin, were by tbis line brought within Beven or, at the outside, eight minutes' of the magnificent Ocean Beach—and of the great rolling a our feet, boundless, endless, Bublime. Every inhabitant of Dunedin was under a debt of gratitude to the promoters of this railway, in providing ffthem with a moßt healthy means of recreation.' He was glad to think that the railway was not going to stop at the Forbury. The company had power to construct it along the' sunny slopes of the Peninsula down to Portobello, and he had no doubt that ultimately it would be extended to the Heads, when ships of any tonnage would be able to load or discharge at any hour of the night or the day. That was what the company ought to aim at, and made the- ultimate result of the* undertaking. He would not detain the company further. Of course the toast wa3 a very tempting one; and it would be very difficult to respond to it at any length without treading upon the corns of somebody. He had always taken great interest in anything that was for the benefit of the Province. He stood by its cradle; and one thing he was determined upon—he should not follow its hearse. Let others do that. . He thanked the company for the kind way they hod received the toast.(Cheers). Mr Bathgate, in proposing "Success to the Ocean Beach Radway Company," expressed his admiration for the company's enterprise. "With careful management the line was bound to pay. He suggested that, the judicious expenditure of a thousand or so in providing a bowling green, a lawn for the lads and lassies— (lauphter)—strawberry beds, and a bathing establishment, would help to develop traffic. He also suggested that the example of a Scotch railway company, which gave free passes to all persons owning land contiguous to the line who put up buildings of the value of XSOO and upwards Bhould be followed; and that the company Bhould make a loop-line connecting Darley with the m lin line, and so supply the inhabitants and the industries that must settle on that part of the Flat. Mr David Protxdfoot had been, connected with the construction of many large works in this Provinoe, hnt of none waß he proudor than this railway. It was the indention of the Company to proceed forthwith with the Anderson's Bay section, and if the Dunedin public would just accord them a little assistance, they would in a few weeks afterwards proceed to construct the line to Portobello. But to do that would require a little assistance from the Dunedin publio and the settlers upon that side of tbo Peninsula. He was satisfied if Ithe settlers took a few shares in the company, they would never regret doing so. The lint would not only pay a fair penwaV

.age on the cost of construction, but give them a handsome profit upon their land—not 80, but 300 01 400 per cent. He was satisfied the Ooean Beaoh line would pay at least 20 per cent., and, when carried down to Portobello, 12£ per cent. To bring the railway within the reach of all classes, the directors had fixed the charges at Is 6d return to Forbury Park, and Is to the Beach; and they would use their best endeavors to prosecute the works to completion.—(Cheers.) The otber toasts were "The Mayors of Dunedin and the suburban municipalities," to which Messrs Reeves, Jones' (St. KiJda), and M'Kinnon (Pott Chalmers) responded, and "The Press." There were loud calls for the Mayor of South "Dunedin, ani on Mr Jones getting up he was understood to say that "Mr Malouey had been laid out for a week," which provoked roars of laughter, and when silence was restored, it' was explained that Mr Maloney had been unwell for a fortnight. The bulk of the company returned to town at two o'clock, but a good many remained and spent the afternoon cm the Beach and in btrolling about. Free trains were run during the afternoon, and it is estimated nearly 3,000 persons of all ayes availed themselves of this opportunity to obtain an outing.