PREPARATIONS FOR TURNING THE FIRST SOD OF THE BRUNNER RAILWAY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1507, 3 June 1873, Page 2

PREPARATIONS FOR TURNING THE FIRST SOD OF THE BRUNNER RAILWAY.

A public meeting was held last evening, in Gilmer's Hall, to appoint a Committee to mako anangomeats for celebrating the turning of the first sod of the Greymouth and Brunner Bail way. There was a large attendance, most of the leading men of . the district being present. The Mayor of Grey mouth was called to the chair. ; Mr J. Wylde, in proposing the first resolution, spoke of the great importance of the event they intended to celebrate, and in alluding to the selection of Mr Harrison to perform the ceremony of turning the first sod of the railway, he said it was' an appropriate choice, and ah honor the bestowal Of which Mr Harrison had fully earned. : It was a. graceful and well deserved compliment in recognition of Mr Harrison's persistent efforts towards the advancement of the district he represented in the General Assembly. He proposed "That the Mayor and Borough Councillors of Greymouth, with the gentlemen whose names were appended to the requisition asking the Mayor to call the meeting, should form a Committee (with power to add to their number) for the purpose of carrying out the objects of the meeting." Mr W. M. Cooper, in seconding the resolution, agreed with the mover that in requesting Mr Harrison to perform the ceremony, a fit selection had been made, and he might go so far as to say that itwas principally owing to Mr Harrison's exertions that they might attribute the fact of the railway being about to made. Even if, as some said, the County Chairman was the proper person to be called upon to take a leading part in the ceremony, the other public duties of that gentleman would prevent his attendance on the occasion, for it was understood that Mr Robinson was now on his way to Wellington on the business of the County. After discussion, it was agreed that the names of the head officers of the Masonic lodges, with those of the Volunteers and Fire Brigade, and the presidents of all the friendly societies of Greymouth should be j added to the Committee. The names of the following gentlemen were also added to the list): Messrs D. Girdwood, C. Hoos, J. Kilgour, D. Sheedy, Hindmarsh,Nicol, J. Hamilton, G. W. Moss. R A. Young, Gilbert King, John O'Brien, Jas. Leslie, Garven, H. Cassidy, P. Cameron, W. F. Strike, W. M'Millan, G. Perotti, R. J. Johnston, W. H. Revell, Wylde, Cooper, D. Maclean, George Muir, M. Levy, Jas. Middleton, George Taylor, E. B. Fox, H. Kenrick, Lunden, J. M'Beth, G. Gilmer, James Taylor, T. Joyce, R. J. Tonks, P. M. Griflfen, Captain Kitchenham, G. C. Bowman, E. S. Lapham, J. Cavanagh, A. Hosie, J. Thomas, J. Greenwood, and J. J. Blackmore. It was stated that Mr Harrison would arrive at Greymouth during this week, and that, as Mr Hungerford was anxious to proceed with the work, the ceremony would take place early next week. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.

The members of the Committee met, after the public meeting was over, to make arrangements as to the appointment of sub-committees, and to decide upon the form of the demonstration. It was agreed that a procession should march, to include members of the public bodies, Masonic Orders, and Friendly Societies, schools, trades, &c, &c, to be fdlowed by an al fresco lunch, and a treat to the school children. To furnish funds for these purposes, sub-committees were appointed to canvass for subscriptions to-

day. On the liberality displayed by the public, and the success the collectors meet with, the completeness of the demonstration will depend. It was also suggested that a banquet should be held in the evening, admittance to be in the usual manner by ticket. The following gentlemen were appointed a sub-committee, to canvass the Borough for subscriptions : — East Ward— Messrs J. Kilgour, W. S. Smith, and W. M. Cooper; Middle Ward— Messrs M. Kennedy,- J. S. M. Thompson, .and P. ; Cameron ; West Ward— Messrs E. Wickes, W. J. Coates, and J. M'Gregor. . After transacting other business the Committee 'adjourned to Wednesday evening, at ,, 8. o'clock, at Gilmer's Hotel.