MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2341, 6 November 1908, Page 4

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

the opening.

BANQUET AT WELLINGTON

[Piiess Association.]

WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. A banquet was held in the concert room of the Town liall this afternoon to celebrate the completion of the Main Trunk line. The guests numbered about 80, tbe principal being the RigDb Hon. the Premier, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, and the Hon. Dr. Findlay. The others included members of Parliament and oilier prominent local citizens. Mr. JJ i.'u+me, vice-president ox the her or Commerce, presided, u.nd stated rh«t the line liad not been hu^rfeulj r bv nt, but was of a perm l/ienc) and soiid character. - / The Premier saidue '.yts confident the line would pay\we.|. The Hon. W . la. 11-4oncs said tnat the first sod had I ecu Turned by Sir Robert Stout oil , - prir% 10, Since 1900 good progress epad been made. The lino could have been completed in four JjSMjr,", frdxn that date, but other impfjHKitv works required attention. HWpralsed the Department, the staff, and the cooperative workers. Mr. D. -J. Nathan proposed tno toast “Prosperity vo Auckland ami Wellington Citizens."' and the toast was replied to by Mr. H. C. Tewsley, of Auckland. The health of the new H.ign Commissioner was proposed by Air. G. Shirtcliffc, and Mr. Hull-Jones, m replying, expressed the opinion that our "products should be better known at Home. He felt that- a demand for our products could be created m parts of England where prejudice against them at present exists, and that once that demand was created then there would be competition and better prices. The best energies he had would be devoted to the interests of New Zealand, and he would do all he could to further her trade and commerce.

THE SPECIAL TRAIN. WELLINGTON, Nov. 5. The special train with the party for the Main Trunk line celebrations aboard left Wellington punctually at 10 o’clock to-night. The party numbers about 100. including Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. TV. Hail-Jones. and many members of Parliament and prominent citizens of M ellingt-on.

THE AUCKLAND SPECIAL TRAIN

THE MAYOR'S TELEGRAM. ‘AUCKLAND, Nov. 5. The special train which left Auckland at 10.1-5 to-night in connection with the opening of the Main. Trunk line bore upwards of 100 invited guests. The Hon. G.eo. Fowlds had with him in the Ministerial carriage Captain Parker, of the American warship Annapolis. Amongst other travellers were the Hons. T. son and W. Beelian. M.L.C. s, and Mr. C. H. Poole, the various Consuls, mayors, chairmen, and members of local bodies, president and members of the Railway League, and several other representative men. The Mayor of Auckland was unable to make the trip, aud wired Mr. Fowlds to the effect that he felt assured the consummation of this important undertaking would not only add to the productiveness aud prosperity of the North Island, but would tend to a more united and vigorous national life.