TRIP ON THE MANAWATU LINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1444, 2 September 1885, Page 4

TRIP ON THE MANAWATU LINE.

By invitation of the Directors of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, a large number of members of both Houses of Parliament and other gneets took a trip aloner the line on Monday afternoon. Mr Nathan, Chairman of tlie Directory acted as host, and the company (which included many ladies) numbered about 280. A train of seven carriages was m readiness and ft start was made at 2 o'clock precisely. Tlie trip to the point beyond Parramatta , to which the line is made, was smoothly and piesantly run m something over an hour, including a short stoppage at Johnsonviilo. The weather m Wellington was extremely boisterous, and at one time it was thought that it would be necessary to abandon the excursion for the day, but it having been ascertained that the weather was much better at Parramatta, it was resolved to make the trip. On getting out of the train at the journey's end, it was found that tables were laid out with champagne and other refreshments. The Hon. Colonel Brett, M.L.C., proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Nathan, and the other Directors for their hospitality and kindness. He highly praised the Directors for their perseverance and pluck, and wished them Godspeed with their work. He asked those present to drink the health of the Director, and coupled with the toast the name of Mr Nathan He also called for three cheers for that gentleman, and an additional cheer for Mrs Nathin. The cheers were heartily given. Mr Nathan desired to express his thanks, for the manner m which Colonel Brett had proposed the toast, and m which it had been responded to. He would pot attempt to make a speech with so many gentlemen of oratorical powers before him. The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company was not formed to make money, but was formed on purely coloiral groundf? to open up the country- Ho hoped that when finished the line would be a monument to the pluck and energy of the people of Wellington. Mr E. J. O'Conor, M.H.R., proposed the health of the engineering staff, and paid a high compliment to Messrs Fulton and Higeinson for the skill they had displayed m the construction of the line. Mr Hieginson acknowledged the toast, but said he would rather abstain from marine remarks until the railway was finished. After a plesnnt stay of three-quarters of an hour, the tourists resumed their seats m thn train. On the return trip two engines were placed, one m front and one behind, and tho run back to town including a stoppage at Johnsonville, was done m less than an hour, all being highly delighted with the trip. The stations at Johnsonville and Parramatta have been pushed on with vigor, and with their outbuildings, are nearly ready for use. — N. Z. Times.