GISBORNE-TE KARAKA RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1398, 8 March 1905, Page 3

GISBORNE-TE KARAKA RAILWAY.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES,

I A meeting of the Railway League was j hold yesterday morning in connection with I the opening ceremonies of tho GisbornoITo Karaka railway. Tho president, Mr J. I Townley, presided, I Tho Ihresident stated that 'the meeting I was called for the purpose of conferring I with Mr W. A. Hood as to what tho I Karaka people people intended to do with I the opening of the line. Mr Hood said that tho settlers in and around Te Karaka anxious to attract a good crowd to fittingly celebrate the | opening of tho line. Thoy further, proposed holding a monster sports gathering with a view to obtaining funda to start a public library at Te Karaka. Mr Hood suggested tfiai all the public ceremonies, addresse^,. sports, etc., should bo held on tho at Te Karaka. The visitors could be taken for a drive the sports were progressing. ~’HrEl'M. Hutchinson wrote as follows:

I —“ In mukiog your arrangements for the I entertainment of visitors on tho opening of I tho line to Te Karaka, would it suit you to I bring your party to Waikohu in the afternoon?' Wo would bo .vory pleased .to seeI them and point out the way tho railway is I to take, - not to mention afternoon tea. 1 Hoping such an Idea will fall in with your j plans.” /’.'T-v;X j it was decided to heartily cO;Operate~ I with the Te Karaka nommittea m regard I to tho programme-suggested by Mr Hood, I and Mr Hutchinson’s offer was also acI cepted with, tbaoks. I The stationmaster, Gisborne, wrote I acknowledging receipt of the League’s I memo re free trains on tho opening day, I Maroh 30th, stating.that be had forwarded I the request to the General Manager for Railways. The League would be advised of the.result on receipt, and a copy of the time-table would be supplied. * It was decided to ask the Karaka Uommittee if they could undertake tho luncheon for thevisitors and members oh! the chief local boilioß. Mr Hood said thaft he was sure tho Karaka settlers wo"ota be only too pleased to do wbat they coiiuL in regard to this mattor. Some discussion re the shortage of rolling stock took plaae, and the necessity for an improvement in this direction was strongly urged by Mr W. L. Rees and the President. The latter stated that unfortunately one of the engines had broken down, and unless another was Boon to hand there would be difficulty in meeting the demands of the traffio on opening day. The following motion was unanimously adopted :—“ That in view of the pressing the district, as illustrated by the impassibility of bringing into Gisborne quantities',, of ’ timber and shingle, this mcetiogstrongly urges the Government to -increase the Uaulage power. At the pret Bent tin 10, in consequence of the shortage of-trucks, public business on the line is at a staDdatiy,' ! and a further drawback is that one of the engines has broken down. An additional supply of trucks and engines is required in order to cope with the demands of ths existing traffic.” PREMIER UNABLE TO ATTEND ; AT THE OPENING. Last evening Mr IV. Gaudin, Hon. Secretary of the East Coast Railway League, leceived the’ following telegram from the Premier in regard to the opening of tho Gisborne-Te Karaka railway :

•’ Many thanks for your kind telegram, inviting mo to the opening ceremony of the Gisborne-Te Karaka railway at the end of the present month. I regret very much that in consequence of a prior engagement I cannot bo with you on that day. I hopej the ceremony will be well worthy of tiro occasion, and if not with you in person'll am with you in spirit. Kind regards.” (Sgnd.) R. J.i SEDDON.