OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN RAILWAY.
(PER PRESS AGENCY.) Christchurch, Friday. The first through train to Dunedin left this morning at six o’clock. A very largo party was on board, including members of both Houses of the Legislature, the Mayor and City Councillors of Christchurch and Dunedin, and representatives of many other public bodies. The train was piloted by Mr,*'W. Conyers, Commissioner of Railways. • Members of the Press are somewhat indignant at the shabby way in which they were treated at the banquet. They were crowded like sheep in the gallery with the band, where they remained three hours without the slightest notice being taken of them. “ The Press” was omitted from the toast list. Ashburton, Friday. The first through train, with the viceregal and parliamentary party, reached Ashburton at five minutes past eight this morning. His Excellency was received at the railway station by the Mayor and Town Councillors. The Town Clerk read a pithy address of welcome and congratulation. His Excellency replied aa follows: .—'‘Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, —i thank you for your, address and for the expressions of loyalty and good will which it contains. I cordially join you in hoping that the great work whose completion is celebrated to-day may add to the prosperity and happiness of tho country. As time and tide wait for no man, neither will the railway. Hence brevity is necessary on this occasion. Gentlemen, I cordially thank you for your welcome." His Excellency was then driven to tho Town Hall, where he and the company breakfasted. The morning was beautifully fine, and the town looked gay with flags and arches. At half-past eight precisely the train left the station en route for Dunedin. Tibiaru, Friday. The train conveying the Governor aud suite, M.H.R/s, and other distinguished visitors, arrived here, the volunteers firing a Royal salute, at a quarter-past ten this morning. The party was received by the Mayor, the Borough Councillors, and the Harbor Board, aud Chamber of Commerce. The Town Clerk read an address of a congratulatory nature on the union of Dunedin and Christchurch by rail. His Excellency replied, trusting that there would be increased prosperity to both provincial districts, and. New Zealand also. At the back station a guard of honor was drawn up in line on either side of the steps. The Governor and suite were driven in a carriage and four greys to Meikle’s ‘ Grosvenor Hotel, for refreshment. After staying there about ten minutes, they returned to tho station, departing at 10.35. Oaiiaru, Friday. Oatnaru town displayed a large amount of bunting and a triumphal arch. Tho party in the train were greeted with a most cordial welcome—royal salutes and all the rest of it. Fort Chalmers, Friday. ■ A special train with the Governor and others passed here at 6 p.m. Dunedin, Friday. The opening of the Dunedin and Christchurch line, the great event of connecting the two commercial cities of the South Island by means of the iron-hoise, was consummated today. The train left Christchurch punctually at 6 o’clock, so punctually, indeed, as to cause several laggards to lose their passages, and ‘they could be seen from the train’looking after us with rueful faces. The Duuedin Glee Club enlivened us during the whole of the. journey by their excellently rendered melodies, accompanied by a harmonium which they had in the carriage. The Railway Band also played “Auld Lang Syne" as we steamed away. Shortly after eight, with a slight stoppage at Rakaia, we arrived at Ashburton. Here the Mayor and Councillors were in waiting, aud the inevitable address, which got to be exceedingly monotonous before we arrived at Dunedin, was presented. His Excellency replied in suitable terms, congratulating Ashburton on the completion of through communication to Dunedin, and expressing a hope that the completion of .the great work that day inaugurated would prove of great aud lasting benefit to'Ashburton, as well as to the rest of the colony. The party then entered a drag aud were driven to the Town Hall, *■ where breakfast was laid. After partaking of this a start was made for the train, and we were once more en route. I may mention that a triumphal arch spanned the main street near the Town Hall, bearing the words “ Welcome to the Borough of Ashburton," and that the township was gaily decorated with flags. At Temuka we stopped for a few minutes to take in water, and there was a very goodly crowd to welcome us. No time was lost in pushing on to Timaru, where great preparations had been made to receive the party. Timaru was reached at 10.10 a.m., aud there was a large assemblage of people on the station and adjoining streets. On alighting the Governor was met by the Mayor and Borough Council, and another address was presented, to which he replied suitably. His Excellency and party, together with the members of the House, then entered the carriage which had been provided for them, and were driven to the Grosvenor Hotel, where slight refreshments were partaken of. Tho party then started out for a drive round tho town, passing the schools, hospital, and other public buildings. They also drove to the proposed site of the Timaru breakwater. Timaru locked very gay/ The day was observed as a close holiday, and flags floated from every conceivable point. In George-street, near the railway station, a triumphal arch had been erected having the word “Welcome ” in the centre and “ Success to Agriculture, Trade, and Commerce," aud “.Advance New Zealand, Otago and Canterbury United." The fire brigade with their engine liued the street from the entrance of the station to the arch, aud the volunteers formed a guard of honor at the station yard. After about twenty minutes’ stay Mr. Conyers gave the signal to move on, and we left Timaru amid loud cheers from- the people who lined the station and a salute from the Timaru Artillery. Oamaru / was reached at 12.30, and here also great preparations had been made. The station yard was kept clear of all by a line of volunteers, aud a dais had been erected, upon which the Mayor arid Councillors were waitingto present yet another address. This. ceremony having been gone through, and his Excellency’s reply having been made, the Oamaru folk being naturally anxious to show their breakwater to their northern visitors, a start was made for it. The Governor was met on arrival by the Harbor Board, ’the Chairman* of which, Mr. Sumpter, presented one more address of the formidable roll of which Captain LeFatourel was the custodian ; aud his Excellency having replied, Mr, Sumpter requested him to perform the ceremony of christening the new wharf. To this he acceded, and having broken a bottle of champagne which was handed to him by a young lady, he declared the name of the new wharf to bo the “ Normanby Wharf," which was the signal for immense cheering, A move was then made to the carriages. His Excellency and party aud tho visitors generally wore invited by Mr. Steward, the Mayor of Oamaru, to a luncheon. This, which was a capital spread, was laid out oa the upper floor of a large grain store, and fully 400 sat down ; his Worship tho Mayor occupying the chair, with his Excellency the Governor, tho Hon. J. T, Fisher, Mr. R, Stout, Captain LeFatourel, aud Major Lean on his right and left. As time pressed and Mr. Conyers was like that driver of the stage coach spoken of by Bret Harfce, being bound to get us through in time, the Mayor perforce commenced to propose the toasts before the guests had hardly commenced their luncheon, “The Queen, Prince of Wales, aud Royal Family," “ His Excellency the Governor*," and “His Excellency’s Advisers," followed each other in quick succession, and then his Excellency gave “ Prosperity to tho Town and Trade of Oamaru," which was loudly cheered; and a move was at once made. Here as at Timaru we lost somo of the members of our party who lagged behind. Passing through tho streets, or rather across them, which were lined with people, we set off at a rapid pace on the second stage of our journey towards the Melbourne of the South. The first object of interest which attracted the attention of visitors after we had passed the little township of Ralston was tho large quarry of the justly celebrated Oamaru stoue, known as the Taipo Quarry, about seven miles out of Oamaru. Hero we had a flying glance at the way in which the stone is got out by menus of patent machinery imported specially. The blocks are sawn out of the quarry as easily as though tho hill side were made of cheese instead of stoue, and they .come out ready for working up into anything. The land all along this portion of the line is of splendid quality, and here and there we get glimpses of bits of scenery, combining forest, hill, and ocean, which delight tho hearts of the Canterbury portion of our company, used as they are to the flat,, treeless, and somewhat monotonous plains of that great district. Just a littlefavtheron wo pass the Kaknuui River riming between two. ridges of h»U« sloping down to it on ’ either side, and ■ then pass tho township of Mahemn and the Kakauui station and. the township of Otepopo, where slate quarries exist. Passing through a
small .tunnel, we cross two branches of the river, which are’called Rookery and Otepopo respectively. The former is noted for trout, being a shingly burn running between two eminences ; and just beyond this is is the township of Hampden, which is a very pretty little township scattered picturesquely over undulatcountry backed by bush, and facing the sea, which little distance off. Weran in hefo at 2.45, and iu a few moments are away again, Moeraki Junction is the next point reached, aud without staying we push on for Palmerston. On the way we go over some heavy gradients, but big American engine makes light work of it, and we reached Palmerston at 8.35. Here the Mayor and Councillors met the party, to partake of refreshment, which is served in the goods shed, and after a short stay the Mayor aud Councillors proceeded to his Excellency’s carriage, accompanied by tho Town Clerk, bearing the inevitable address, . This is duly read, and his Excellency briefly 'replies, aud “all aboard" is the cry. Our American engine, which has brought us so gallantly to this stage, is hero cashiered in favor of a double bogie “Fairlie," which is better adapted for the steep gradients met with ou this section. At 4 p.m., amid the cheers of a very largo crowd, we steam out on our way, aud now begins the most picturesque part of our journey, forest, sea, and hill all combine to make this the best part of the trip. The line winds in and out around the foot of the hill, with the sea on one side of us ; and after a short run we pass through Waikouaiti at 4.30 p.m. From this to Blueskin the scenery ia grand. The train winds close alongside the descent to the sea, aud spread out before us like a panorama is the township of Walkouatiti and Blueskin Bay. The pace, from the nature of the gradient, is exceedingly slow, but though all are impatient to get to Dunedin, the views every now and then are really so lovely that no one grumbles because we are not'going at express speed. At the Maori Haile a deputation of Maoris appears on the high bank and dance a welcome, one old lady iu particular waving a “mere" in a most demonstrative manner. Passing through two small tunnels to Deborah Bay, we begin to draw near to the end of our journey. We get to Port Chalmers, from whence as we pass an artillery salute is fired, the red flashes of the guns lighting up the dusk, which is just beginning to fall ; and then everyone is ou the alert to gather up his belongings, as we draw near Dunedin. Long before we run into the station we can see the colored electric lights and illuminations with which Dunedin is ablaze, and on reaching the station, and remembering the undemonstrative manner in which the event was celebrated in Christchurch, we begin to think that the two cities have changed characteristics. Every nook and corner around the station is packed with . people, and as the electric light falls upon them we see a perfect forest of faces.. The train runs into the station, which inside is lined with volunteers ; the guns thunder out a salute ; the vast crowd give cheer after cheer, aud the marriage of Sir. Duuedin with Miss Christchurch, as felicitiously remarked by one of the speakers at the banquet in Christchurch, is an accomplished fact. His Excellency the Governor is cordially welcomed to Dunedin by Mr. R. H, Leary, his Worship the Mayor of Dunedin,. and briefly replies, expressing the pleasure he feels at being present on so auspicious an occasion, and in being privileged to open a line which ho feels will be of the greatest benefit, not only to the two cities connected, but to the colony at large. His Excellency and party then drove off in a fourhorse drag to the Fernhill Club. To-night Dunedin is brilliantly illuminated. There are electric lights on the Custom House, Watson’s Hotel, and Guthrie and Larnach’s. The fire brigade was stationed opposite the Times Office with colored lights. The various shops are brilliantly illuminated with Chinese lanterns and various devices. On Sargood, Son, and Ewen’s warehouse was a pretty device in gas jets forming the words “Emulation with t combination." On the Bank of New Zealand were gas jets forming the words “ Christchurch and Dunedin United.” The Cargills’ Monument was brilliantly illuminated, and over the Prince of Wales Hotel was a transparency representing Sir Julius Vogel in a railway train. Over the Daily Times Office was “ Christchurch —Dunedin. Welcome to our Northern Visitors." The streets are thronged, I append details of sections ; —The first section of the line passed over is what is known as Kartigi contract, extending from Moeraki j auction to the Flag Swamp, a distance of 17 miles 67 chains. The contract for this was accepted on January 5, 1876, the time for completion being two years. The amount of the contract was £58,747 ss. lOd. “ On. May 22, 1878, the first portion—twelve miles sixty-five chains, from Moeraki Junction to Palmerston —was opened, and the remainder on August 26. The stations ou this section are Walhene, Pukerete, aud Hillgrove. The next., section over which we passed is the Waikouaiti section. This extends from Flag Swamp to the Blueskin section. The Waikouaiti section is about five miles iu length, and has been constructed by the Government partly by day labor and partly by piecework. It was commenced at the time the “ unemployed " were agitating for work. This portion of the line goes through an easy country, the work on it comisting of nothing but light cuttings. Here, however, progress was at one time much retarded by a very bad slip. There are a great many culverts on this section, all built in bluestone, while- there are two bridges of considerable magnitude spanning the ’ Waikouaiti River ; the largest of which has been completed by Messrs. Day aud Co., contractors; the contract price being some £4200. The timbers used iu the construction of this bridge were ironbark for the piles aud totara aud black pine for the superstructure ; the longitudinal girders being of icon. The rails are. of the same standard as the Blueskin section, and .the ballast used is fine gravel obtained from the bank of the Waikouaiti River. The resident engineer on this section was Mr. Dartnell, the work having been executed and carried out under the energetic and able supervision of Mr. Fraser. Next in order comes the Blueskin section. The total length of the contract for this section is seven miles, commencing at tho township of Evansdale, and terminating at Matthews’ barn. The contract price for the whole of the work was £45,000. There are no less than 63 cuttings on tho work, varying- from 10ft. to 70ft, in depth, 61 embankments, ranging from Bft. to 55ft. in height; the longest embankment being about 30 chains in length. There are two truss viaducts built of ironbark and totara timbers, each comprising three 40ft. spans, and one of four 20ft. spans, and another bridge with stone abutments. ' The whole length of this section is'a series of grades and sharp curves; the total length of the straight line being only one mile and 63 chains, whilst there is only a length of some 59 chains level. The ruling gradient is lin 50. There are 37 stone culverts (2,3, 4, aud 6 feet in the open) varying in length from 40 to 200 feet, all built with blueatoue, aud set with the best Portland cement. The material for a good many of the'culverts had to be packed and sledged, tho country being of an almost impassable nature for othermeans of traffic. The number of cubic yards of masonry iu the culverts alone is 3800. There is a tunnel o, 176 yards, 'or SO chains, in length, the walls of which are built of bluestone and Portland \ cement. 200 000 bricks which were made on the ground in close proximity to the tunnel were used in the arching. The line forming the tunnel approach is an the deepest cutting on the contract. The total number of cubic yards of earthwork removed is about 300,000. The whole of the line was very thickly timbered, aud the clearing extends one chain in width on each side of the centre peg. Two very serious slips took place in the course of construction, involving the removal of some 10,000 cubic yards of material. The rails used on the line are 521 b. weight to the yard, inpeu of 401 b., as originally specified, and are fastened with fish-plate joints. The sleepers are of black pine and totara, the bulk of them having been imported from Southland. The ballast used on the line is metal, which has been broken to 24in- gauge by machinery. The work .throughout is exceptionally heavy, compared with the total length of the contract, and during the progress of the works several alterations and deviations were deemed advisable, involving a still greater expenditure of labor and time than was originally contemplated. One cutting in particular near the tunnel has been altered in position so as to necessitate the removal o! several thousand ■ yards of extra earth.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5444, 7 September 1878, Page 2
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3,114OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN RAILWAY. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5444, 7 September 1878, Page 2
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