COMMENCEMENT OF WAIMEA PLAINS RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1542, 28 January 1879, Page 3

COMMENCEMENT OF WAIMEA PLAINS RAILWAY.

[Special Wire.] Invercargill, January 27. The turning of the first sod on the Waimea Plains rai:way took place at Gore to-day. The line in question is about thirty-six miles in length, and traverses a large amount of arable land. The contract for its conetruction has been secured by Mr John Whitaker. The event was distinguished by a holiday at Gore, almost all the townspeople turning out on the occasion. By the through train from Dunedin the Hon. Mr Ballance arrived, together with Mr Bastings and others, while this number was considerably augmented by the arrival of a number of prominent citizens from Invercargill. Mr Ballance, on turning the sod, referred at some length to the extent and nature of the country to be opened up by the line. He said he would not tell Jiem how anxious the Government of the day were that railways of this kind should be constructed by private enterprise, and trusted the day was not far distant when the Government would be prepared to take over this and lines of a similar nature, as part of the general scheme. He trusted those who had invested their capital in this venture would reap a handsome reward. They ought not to be jealous of capitalists. They were necessary to the general welfare of the country, and when, as in this case, their enterprise tended in. a direction beneficial to the country at large, they should wish them every possible success. Messrs Bell and Bastings also spoke, and cheers having been given for the Messrs Ballance, Bastings, and the contractor, the company adjourned for lunch. The luncheon was most successful. Mr G. M. Bell occupied the chair, supported on the right by Messrs Ballance and Feldwick, and on the left by Messrs Shanks and Whitaker (the contractor). The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed. Mr Ballance replied on the part of the Ministry, and said the establishment of small townships was the clue to progress. They were the handmaids of civilisation. Mr Bastings said Southland was the fines district in the colony, and Mr Cuthbertson expressed the conviction that district railways would work a revolution in the condition of landed estates. About eighty sat down, and the dinner went off very successfully. The special train, with the visitors from Invercargill, returned to town at six o’clock. CITY COUNCIL. Monday, January 27. The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held at seven o’clock. Present— His Worship the Mayor and Crs. Gapes, Ayers, Lezard, Jenkins, Tromayne, Binstead, and Clifford. SPECIAL MEETING. Prior to the ordinary meeting taking place, a special meeting whs held for the purpose of confirming the Hackney carriage by-law. Cr. Ayers reported that he had seen the chairman of the Tramway Company in reference to their termini interfering with the cab stands. The clauses 29 to 34 were read, relating to cabs carrying dead bodies, and after some discussion were passed as printed. Schedule G was then considered, also the other schedules of the by-law. On the motion of Cr. Jenkins, seconded by Cr. Gapes, the by-law as printed was then adopted and confirmed, his Worship the Mayor signing the minute on the subject. The Council then proceeded to the ordinary business. YINANCB. The Town Clerk reported the credit balance in the Bank to he £IB4O, Receipts for the fortnight, £774 5s 04, drainage rate account, Cr. balance, £IO2O 7s 34 ; receipts, £IOO 17s B£d ; bills paid, £597 Hs 4d ; balance, £IOSO Os 8d ; bills paid, £484 15s 3d j bills to be paid, £202 3s 7d.

mayor's statement. The Mayor informed the Council that hie Excellency the Governor would be in Christchurch on the 12th of February, and that ho would leave on the following day. H a Worship added that as it would bo the last time the Governor would be in Christchurch, it would only bo showing him a proper regard to present him with a farewell address, and he would suggest thct the Council should appoint a committee to draw it up. Ho might next tell the Council that ho had received a number of papers on the subject of the distress existing in Glasgow, and ho would ask the Council to take some steps to ameliorate such distress. lie hoped the Council would concur with him in calling a public meeiing to form a committee for the purpose of collecting subscriptions. The committee appointed to see Mr Stout had met that gentleman, and wore well satisfied with the interview, and there was little doubt that the result of it would bo to hand over the Market place reserve for a town hall and municipal offices. A letter had been received from the medical officer of the Board of Health, referring to the necessity of enforcing the pan system. Dr. Foster had been seen on the subject of the telegraph poles, and had told him (the Mayor) to fortify himself witli extra legal advice, if necessary. QUESTIONS, ETC. Cr. Ayers drew attention to the condition of several streets in the city where it was desirable that the stones should be rolled down. THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE. The Mayor said that as the Marquis of Normnnby had so recently been to Christchurch, a simple address would, no doubt, bo preferable to any other way of testifying their respect to him. ()n the motion of Cr. Treraayne, seconded by Cr. Lezard, it was resolved that a committee, consisting of the Mayor and Cr. Capes and the mover, prepare an address to the Marquis of Normanby on his passing through Christchurch to Melbourne, and take such action as they may deem advisable. COLOMBO STREET BRIDGE. Cr. Binstead drew attention to the state of this bridge, asking if anything was being done, and Cr. Jenkins explained that the surveyor had been directed to prepare plans for sft. instead of 3ffc. Gin. as decided on by the Council, if approved. THE BOARD OP HEALTH. The letter of the medical officer was read on the subject of closet pans. THE GLASGOW FAILURES. The Mayor read a letter re the Glasgow failure, asking that the Council would take steps to form a local committee for the relief of the sufferers. Cr, Gapes said all the Council could do was to direct the town clerk to call a public meeting. Cr. Lezard did not approve of the Council taking up such cases as this, Cr. Ayers suggested that the Mayor should call the public together to awaken their sympathy. After some further discussion, the Mayor was empowered to call a public meeting to consider the question of the Glasgow relief fund. RESERVES. After some discussion a committee was appointed to visit and report upon the best mode of letting the 2000 acre reserve with power to take an expert. LETTERS. Several letters on subjects affecting footpaths and other matters were laid before the Council, and attended to. SANITARY COMMITTEE, The report of the sanitary committee was read. It referred in forcible terms to the necessity of the pan system being adopted within the city. The inspector of nuisances was called and consulted as to the state of the various closets in the city. He quite agreed with the letter of the medical officer. It was resolved that the pan system should be strictly enforced within the city, and that all persons refusing to obey the notices served on them should be prosecuted, without respect to persons. The Mayor said it would be as well to communicate with the Drainage Board, and inform that body what action had been taken. Or. Lezard drew attention to the slovenly way in which the nightman was carrying out his contract, and thought the attention of the sanitary committee ought to bo drawn to the fact. Cr, Tremayne said the committee in question had been moving in the matter, and in all probability no further complaints would be heard, RATE COLLECTOR’S REPORT. The report of the rate collector was read. It recommended that several persons’ rate* should be remitted, and the Council gave effect to the resolution. INSPECTOR OP NUISANCES. There was no regular report from the inspector of nuisances, that officer having for the last few days been so busily employed in other ways that he has not been able to carry on his house to house inspection. THE TOWN BELTS. Some discussion took place on the question of the town belts, and it was asked if the sanitary committee intended to take any steps on the subject of the nuisance existing on the south side of the South town belt. Cr. Tremayne said the sanitary committee considered that it would be unfair that the city should have to pay to abolish a nuisance that was created by the borough of Sydenham. With regard to the channelling of the north town belt, the expense of doing so might be taken out of the general rates and repaid by the loan which they would borrow. Ho would move a resolution to that effect. Seconded by Cr. Binstead. The question of the south side of the south town belt then again came up, and Cr. Gapes expressed his opinion that the city should take some steps in the matter. He thought if the city did the whole of the channelling of the bolts the public would be satisfied. The Mayor said ho believed the Heathcotc Road Bnard had done the channelling on their side of the East Belt, and that the Avon Road Board were prepared to do their share on the north side. It would be most unfair that the city should bo called upon to do this work. The motion of Cr. Tremayne was then put and agreed to. TENDERS, Two tenders were received —one for the supply of forage, and the other for the supply of iron culverts. It was resolved not to accept the former, and the latter was referred to the works committee. FIRE BELL FOE THE EAST BELT. In the absence of Cr. Cass, his motion for the erection of a fire bell on the East belt fell through, CARRIERS. Cr, Ayers said he had been spoken to by some of the carriers, who complained of the hardship entailed on them through Messrs Heywood and Co. being allowed to ply without paving a license fee. It was said by some of the members that they were connected with the railway, and therefore wore exempt. At the same time it was pointed out that they cut up the roads a good deal, and his Worship the Mayor was instructed to take legal opinion on the subject. THE SUB-COLLECTOR’S SURETIES. It was stated that these sureties were not yet made out, and the town clerk was instructed to inform him that unless the sureties wore prepared by the next ordinary meeting his appointment would be considered vacant. A CITY RANGER. Cr. Gapes said he had withdrawn his motion at the last meeting on the subject of the appointment of an officer to impound cattle and register dogs, with a view to enlarging it so as to embrace the appointment of a permanent city officer, but after thinking the matter over ho did not now see bis way te do it. He would, therefore, move his original mot ion, “ that some person be appointed to collect the dog tax by commission.” The motion was not seconded, and conooquontly lapsed. Cr. Tremayne gave notice of a motion for next meeting, having for its object the appointment of a permanent officer to act as city constable, dog tax collector, impounder of cattle, and city ranger generally.

MDLLE. CHARBONNET’S CONCERT. The second of Mdllo. Alice Chnrbonnet’s grand pianoforte recitals took place last evening, at the Oddfellows’ Hall. There was an improvement on the attendance at the first concert, but it was far from commensurate with the merits of the concert or the talent of the principal artiste. As on the first occasion, the programme was selected with an eye to suit the tastes of all classes. For the lovers of classical compositions there was Beethoven’s exquisite “Moonlight Sonata,” and admirers of operatic music were regaled with a grand fantasia on “ Lucia di Lammermoor.” Lastly, those whoso partiality was for the sparkling music of Offenbach must have been delighted with the caprice de concert on “The Grand Duchess.” All these different styles and themes were played with the true esprit of a cultivated and accomplished musician by Mdlle. Obarbonofc, the “ Moonlight Sonata ” earning 100 fair artiste a perfect ovation in the shape of a shower of bouquets. Mddle. Charbonct received encores for each of her pieces, on each occasion gracefully responding. In one instance she substituted for the original number the "Last Rose of Summer,” played with the left hand. This was an exquisite performance, besides exhibiting the extraordinary talent of the performer, Mdllo Charbonnet was assisted by Miss Florence Neville, Signor Luisetti, and Mr Winter. Miss Neville won golden opinions by her charming rendering of Roichardt’s pretty ballad “ Love’s Request,” and later on she created an equally favorable impression by the perfect maimer in which she sang Gantz’s “ Sing sweet bird.” This being encored, she sang “ Home, sweet home, ” which was enthusiastically applauded. Mr Winter created a highly favorable impression by the style and feeling with which ho sang the favorite ballad “ Killarnoy,” subsequently taking part with Miss Neville in the duet “Parigi o Cara,” from the opera of “La Traviata,” which was warmly applauded. Signor Luisetti was in excellent voice, and gave the popular “Largo al Factotum” from “II Barbiere ” to the satisfaction of the audience. In the second part of the concert ho contributed a “ Romance,” by Meyerbeer, singing with excellent effect, though the selection seemed scarcely suited to the taste of the audience. Mr W. H. Simms acted as accompanyist with his accustomed ability. The final concert will bo given by Mdlle Charbounet on Wednesday evening, when a new, varied, and choice programme will be given. As it will bo the last opportunity of hearing this accomplished artiste, a crowded hall may be anticipated.