THE LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2548, 8 June 1882, Page 3

THE LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY.

The formal opening of the railway line connecting Little River with the metropolis took placo yesterday. Shortly after nine o'clock yesterday a train, consisting of eight oarriages and one saloon oar, moved out from the Christohurch railway station, n. avin « among the passengers his Worship the Mayor, members of the City Council, the Chief Postmaster, the traffic manager Mr Back, Drs. Prankish, Doyle, and others. The total length of the newly constructed line is seventeen miles acd ten chains, and in part of it passes through Lake Ellesmero. The line is substantially built, the whole of tho section being laid with 421 b rails. When the train reached Birdling's Flat it was found that the population there had made considerable preparation for the recaption of the visitors. The Akaroa County Council were introduced by Mr Coop to Mr Back, and in doing so he said that this line to the Little River would sooner or later lead to their being connected with Akaroa. The line had been constructed out of funds appertaining to the cjistriot, and therefore he did not consider that they were under any great obligations to the Oovornment for it. He then expressed a hope that the opening of the line would lead to tho inauguration of a new era of prosperity for the distriot. Mr Parkerson spoke hopefully of the future success of the line, and trusted that the tariff would be so arranged as to enable the settlers to send their produce to market at reasonable rates. The Mayor of Akaroa followed in a brief speech, and said that he looked forward to the time when Akaroa Bay wculd be known as an important harbor. Mr Back said that it groat pleasure to meet the representatives of the various local bodies on that occasion, and assured them that it had always been his endeavor to carry out his oflloial duties in suoh a way as to meet the requirements of the public. After a few remarks by Mr Barker, chairman of the Akaroa County Council, the visitors, on the invitation of Mr Coop, adjourned to a large marquoe, whioh had been erected on the ground, and in which an excellent luncheon had been prepared by Mr Olphert. The chair was taken by Mr Barker, and on his right was the -Mayor of Ohristohurch. The Mayor of Akaroa was vioe-chairman. The following toasts were duly honored—" Success to the Akaroa Railway," coupled with the name of Mr Black. " Tho Public 3 Works Department," coupled with the names of the contractors for the line, Messrs Coates and McGrath. " Tho Agricultural and Pastoral Interests of the Peninsula," proposed by Dr. Prankish ; " The Visitors," coupled with the name of the Mayor of Christchurch, by Mr Q. R. Joblin ; " Our Entertainers," proposed by Mr Coates ; " The Lake Trust," proposed by Mr J. D. Garwood ; " The Akaroa Railway Committee," proposed by Mr Joblin ; "The Chairman," proposed by Mr Birdling. The train returned to Christohurch at 7 o'olock.