MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2343, 9 November 1908, Page 2

MAIN TRUNK RAILWAY.

DRIVING THE LAST SPIKE

[Press Association.]

TAUMARUNUI, Nov. C. After a tedious night journey, the special 'Ministerial train {reached Maiigamii-o-te-ao at 8.30 this morning. The party took the truck in a drizzle of rain. The 'associated public bodies of Wellington and Auckland were fully represented. The Hon.W. Hall-Jones briefly introduced the Prime Minister, ancl in a speech of conspicuous modesty, reviewed the pust history of the rail-

way. Mr. Poacocke, chairman of the Auckland Railway League, congratulated the Government cm the completion of the line. He deprecated the pretence of parochial prejudice between Auckland and Wellington. Ho congratulated Mr. Hall-Jones on his appointment as High Commmissiouer. Mr. David Nathan, in a verv effective speech, reviewed the past history of the line. Since the first spike of the Manav atu railway was driven in 188 G lie had taken a keen interest in railway matters, so that to-day’s function had a special significance folium.

Sir Joseph Ward, beset by a body of photographers, drove the last spike. In a very telling speech, liereviewed the history of the railway. He emphasised the necessity of enlarged railway facilities in connection with the completion of settlement. A big crowd manifested great enthusiasm throughout the proceedings. BANQUET AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Nov. 6. The banquet to-night in connection with the opening of the Main Trunk railway was; a brilliant function, and was attended by a large gathering, including the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, and Hons. W. Hall-Joucs and G. Fowids. Owing to a break-down on- the journey, dinner did not commence till 5.30 p.m., and the speecli-m-aking was not begun till after 10. The Mayor congratulated the Minister for Railways on the fact that a project that had been talked of for a quarter of a century had at last been completed. The opening of the railway 'marked an important epoch in the history of the North Inland, and was a landmark in the national progress. Sir Joseph Ward, in -replying, com. mented on the fact that the two great cities in the North Island were meeting to celebrate their connection bj railway, the greatest public work undertaken in the history of New Zealand. From Marton to Te Awamuto the -line had cost £2,650,000, and the whole line to Auckland could not have cost under five millions. Considering that the population of this country was still milder a million, and considering that the railway vote did not exceed a million a year, and for -a long time was not over £700,000, it was not to be wondered at that the Main Trunk line had taken a long time to complete, but still for a country like this, with so caniparativelj sniiail a population, the railways made were really a wonderful achievement The progress and development of Auckland were touched on by the Premier, who said that that develop ment must be -assisted by further railway votes. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones also spoke. * The Wellington party returned bj special train leaving at 11.30 p.m.