THE OPENING.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 969, 4 September 1871, Page 2

THE OPENING.

Everything being completed; it was determined that the retorts should be charged on Saturday morning last, as it had been announced that the town would,, be supplied with gas in the ; evening. It was not contemplated that there should be any formal opening ceremony Qvhy we are unable to say), but aiinumbeif of the Directors and their friends assembled, including two ladies, and I 'it was then hurriedly determined to attach a little importance to the occasion by christening the works. • ■ ' Mr E. Masters .. said „ it must . be a source of satisfaction to them all, especially to the Directors, to be assembled on the occasion of the completion of. their undertaking. They had had great| difficulties to contend 'with, as all the material had to be obtained from other colonies, but these troubles had now been overcome. This would be a great satisfaction to many of the shareholders who had lately been rather despairing, but who, he hoped, would now take heart again. (Applause.) ' ■ Mr J. Kebr heartily endorsed what had been said by the last speaker fas to the difficulties the Directors had tended against and successfully overcome. It was now the wish of the Directors that Mrs Masters would throw the first shovelful of coal into the retorts. (Hear, hear.) Mrs Masters then threw: the first shovelful of coal into the retorts, broke a bottle of champagne on the report-door, and wished success to the Greymouth Gas Company, amid loud cheers from all present. The Company then retired to the purifier-room, where some refreshments were provided. Mr Lahman (County Chairman) said he felt highly pleased at being present at the rtnAninquof ,ait- lfnAoxloW-ne-fiii^li-aji this. It was highly creditable alike to the gentlemen who had carried it out to such a satisfactory conclusion, and also to the town at large. (Applause.) The completion of these works would not only light up the town of Greymoutb, but-'would open the ej es of the people in. other parts of the Colony to the fact that the residents on the West Coast had sufficient confidence in the stability of their towns, to invest their capital in carrying out large works of this kind. (Hear, hear.) It would not only benefit Greymouth, but every other town on the Coast, when these facts came to the ears of our law-makers in Wellington, who would be more likely then to treat the West Coast towns like other settled places. He thanked the ladies for their presence, and called upon all to join him in drinking the toast, "Success to the Greymouth Gas Co." The toast was responded to with three cheers. Mr E. Masters, in acknowledging the toast, said it was not necessary for him, on that occasion, to enter into all the details of the difficulties they had to contend with, or to give an account of their proceedings, if, as he had already mentioned, they had met and overcome any serious difficulties. In Melbourne they had been successful in securing the services of Mr Lowrie, the working-manager, and it was almost solely owing to the energetic manner in which that gentleman had discharged his duties, that their works were so far advanced. He had pleasure in proposing " the health of Mr Lowrie" (Applause.)

Mr J. Kjlgour replied on behalf of the manager. Mr E. Wickes (Mayor) said it must be. extremely gratifying to every person in Greymouth to see such a great work as this carried out so successfully in so young a town, when they could point to other towns settled for twenty years where ,such an enterprise had not been attempted.— (Applause.) The directors must have had very great difficulties to contend with, seeing that all the material required had to be obtained from another colony, and it must bea source of congratulation to all concerned not only that these difficulties had been overcome successfully, but that the works had been completed within the capital of the company. — ( Hear, hear.) He expressed his pleasure at being present at the opening of the works, and hoped" that very soon they would be found far too small for the demands which would be made upon them. — (Applause.) The toast having been duly honored, Mr W. S. Smith gave the toast—" The Original of the Company, Messrs I^ilgoup and Masters." Three cheers were, given for the gentlemen namecL . ». ; , Mr J. Kiioouß returned thank?, | He said when he originated the t scheme he saw not only that it would greatly benefit the town, but would be a magnicient paying speculation. For years the scheme had been in contemplation, but it was not until Mr Masters anid he took it in hand that the public came forward 'and gitvo it their support. f4(Hear, hear.) There were many difliculties at the start, but it was certainly creditable that everythiug^ appeared^ in such a finished state. Mr J. KEMt'said there iwas another gentleman who had been intimately connected with the enterprise from its commencement, and who had greatly assisted the directors in all their troubles. He referred to their indefatigable secretary, IVfr Hindmarsh, and proposed a vote of thanks to him. — (Applause.) Mr Hindmarsh replied, and the company dispersed.