PUBLIC OPENING OF THE WELLINGTON TRAMWAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5449, 13 September 1878, Page 3

PUBLIC OPENING OF THE WELLINGTON TRAMWAY.

This event, which had been looked forward to for some little time past as likely soon to take place, became an accomplished fact on August 24th, and was witne sed by several thousand people,-the majority of the inhabitants of the city turning out for the occasion, and lining the streets along the route from Burrett’s■ corner ‘ to the Adelaide-rbad. It must have been a proud day for Mr. C. O’Neill, C. 8., whose efforts to promote this work were recognised by Sir J, Vogel, “ who termed him the father of tramways of the colony.” Punctually at iho time appointed his Excellency the Governor, accompanied by his suite and the captain and officers of H.M.S. Nymphe, arrived at the point of departure, where five gaily decorated passenger cars ‘ were drawn up in line. Here be was received by the directors of the company, Mr. W. V. .Jackson, the manager, and a large number of invited guests. His Excellency and suite having taken their seats in'the car, the procession started in the following order :—No. 1 car, drawn by the steam engine “ Zealanclia,” piloted by Mr. W. V. Jackson ; No. 2 car, drawn by the engine “ Hibernia,” contained the members of the Ministry, the Mayor and City Councillors, and other notabilities, with the ladies of their several families. No, 3 car was drawn by the engine “ Wellington,” and was filled, os were the other two cars, which were drawn by horses, by invited guests, amongst whom were many members of the Assembly, leading citizens, visitors from the sister provinces, and others. A large number of persons also followed the train, if so it may bo termed, in carriages, on horseback, and on foot. The - day was remarkably fine, and the scene was a gay and animated one. It was, moreover, an evidence,, of the progress now being made in Wellington, which can boast of having the easiest, best, and cheapest system of street locomotion of any town iu these colonies, and is indeed ahead of many a centre- of much larger population in the old country. Great credit is due to the promoters of the undertaking, who have thus far brought it to a successful issue, and there can he no doubt that the prospect before them is a most encouraging one, as the people seemed highly pleased with the results of Saturday. From all we can hear on the subject, they intend to show their appreciation in a very practical way by giving the company their patronage and support; and in so doing they will be studying their own comfort, as a ride in one of these oars will convince the traveller that this mode of conveyance is far superior to any other. The engines aud cars ran smoothly all the. way, and although the streets were crowded with horses, vehicles, and foot passengers no accident of any kind occurred on the journey to the Adelaideread station. On arrival there the Artillery Band played “God Save the Queen,” and the Governor, who was received with loud cheers, alighted At this spot a very large but most orderly and well conducted crowd were asssembled. A platform had been prepared, on which the Governor mounted, and addressed the assemblage in a few appropriate words, saying that it was his pleasing duty to declare the Wellington City Tramway open to the public. He called upon the people to give three cheers for the success of the undertaking, which invitation was heartly responded to. Mr. E. W. Mills, one of the directors of the company, then called upon those assembled to give three cheers for his Excellency the Governor and Lady Normanby, and we need hardly say that three most enthusiastic cheers were given. The guests to the number of 180 then adjourned to the large carriage shed, which was abundantly and tastefully ornamented with flags, banners, ferns, flowers, evergreens, &c. The shed was also brilliantly lighted by eight large chandeliers, suspended from the rafters. The arrangements for carrying this out had been very efficiently seen to by Mr, G, Hall. Special attention had been paid to the comfort of the guests by having sawdust spread on the floor. THE LUNCHEON. The tables were arranged down each side of the building, with a T at the far end fronting the door. The Volunteer Artillery Band were seated in the centre, between the two side tables, and played some well chosen selections. The lunch was catered for by Mr. Peter Laing, and it is almost unnecessary to say that everything in his part of the programme was carried ont in the most perfect manner. It is seldom that so many ladies are seen at a public entertainment here os were gathered together on this occasion, and their presence added greatly to the attractiveness of the scene. In the absence of the chairman of the company, Mr. Toomath, the chair was occupied by Mr. W, T. L. Travers, one of the directors, who was supported on his right by his Excellency the Governor, and on his left by Sir W. Fitzherbert. Amongst the assembled company were the following : Captain Townsend and officers of H.M.S Nymphe, Hdn. J. Sheehan, Hon. Mr. Fisher, Hon. Colonel Whitmore, Sir John Richardson, his Honor Mr. Justice Richmond, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. J, Martin, Hon. P. A. Buckley, G. Hunter, M.H.R, G. E. Barton, M.H.R„ and several other members of Parliament, his Worship the Mayor and the City Councillors, O. 0. Graham, Esq. (Town Clerk), G. Tolhurst, Esq., W. Johnston, Esq., Colonel Leckie, D. Anderson, Esq., E. Pearce, Esq., F. Kruil, Esq. (GemnmConsul), J. Billings, Esq., J. G. Holdsworth, Esq., Dr. Hector, R. J. Duncan, Esq., J'. H. Wallace, Esq., F. Sidey, Esq., H. Dodson, Esq. (Mayor of Nelson), J. C. Crawford, Esq., T. A. Mansford, Esq. (E.M.), G. Crawford, Esq., T. Turnbull, Esq. (architect to the company), J; D. Baird, Esq. (City Engineer), O. O'Neill, Esq., and J. Henderson, Esq. (two of the original promoters of the undertaking), G- B. Shannon, Esq, J. 3. MThompson, Esq., F. M. Ollivier, Esq., J. R. George, Esq, (manager of the Gas Company), 8. Brown, Esq. (contractor for laying the line), J. F. E.. Wright, Esq., A. 0. Fairlie, Esq., Captain Mclntyre (American Consul), P. Johnston, Esq., N. Reid, Esq., the captains of the G. M. Tucker and Medea, and other representatives of the mercantile marine, several representatives of the Press, and others. Full justice having been done to the excellent luncheon, the Chairman rose to propose the first toast, that of “The Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family.” Then followed the toast of “His Excellency the Governor.” (Cheers.) He said it had been often remarked that the Governor took a most active part in fill demonstrations, particularly when they were for the benefit or welfare of the people of the colony. His Excellency’s presence on the present occasion was another proof of this. The citizens of Wellington could now say that they had seen the first steam tramway that had ever been used in the , Australian colonies. He need scarcely tell ; them that the promoters of the tramway had ; experienced great difficulties in obtaining thenecessary power to construct the line, but he was happy to say they had overcome all obstacles, and the ladies and gentlemen present could bear witness to the successful opening of the line to public traffic. He hoped the start made to-day would be the precursor of a prosperous career. The success which had so far attended the undertaking had been in a great measure due to those gentlemen who had had charge of the work, particularly Mr. Davis, tho engineer, I he contractor for the works, Mr. Samuel Brown, had been most faithful in fulfilling his part of tho contract, and had carried out his work according to the specifications and in a most satisfactory manner. He (the chairman) had no doubt of the success of the ■ undertaking, commercially and otherwise. He felt confident that the tramway would prove to be a boon and a utility to the peopleof Wellington. He felt confident, when he saw the large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen, then present, that the tramway was regarded by them as a work beneficial to tho city, and ho was also sure that if those present only gave the tramway their patronage, and he bad no doubt they would do this, it would materially contribute to the company’s success. He had much pleasure in proposing “The Health of His Excellency the Governor.” Hi* Excellence', who was received with cheers, said -. Mr, Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen,—-I thank you sincerely for tho kind . manner in which you have received tho toast of my health. It is to me, and I feel confident to all those whom I see around me, a matter of congratulation to see the manner in which Wellington is progressing from day to day. In driving through the streets from one part of the city to the other I cannot fail'on each occasion to observe the many new buildings that are springing- np in all directions, I have been four years amongst you, and daring that time it seems to me that the town has nearly doubled in size. Long may this progress continue. We have met hero to-day to celebrate an event which adds another to tho many progress works of this city. Wellington can boast of being the first city in New Zealand that has introduced tramways in its midst. That this tramway will be a great public advantage and convenience I cannot doubt. It will enable easy communication to be carried on from one end of tbo town to'the other. It may doubtless bo found a matter of some slight inconvenience to those who are

in the habit of driving in their carriages along the route, but we must study .the convenience of the bulk of the population, to whom it will be found a general advantage. I would ask the servants connected with the tramway to use more than ordinary care at first in driving through the streets, as doubtless horses will sometimes take fright, and accidents may occur. I am sure, for their own.sakcs, and -also for the interests of the company, that they will use every care. I wish you all success, and trust that the Wellington tramway will prove'to be equal to what tho pr imoters confidently anticipate. Ho asked them all to join in drinking “Success to the Wellington Tramway Company.” Mr. T. K. Macdonald, in responding to the toast, said on behalf of the directors of tho company that it afforded him very great pleasure to see so many ladies present, which was a proof of the interest they took in the undertaking. He said ho did not think it would be out of place for him to say that the directors had to thank a -ertain banking corporation—be meant the Bank of New Zealand —who bad at all times been most obliging to them. He thought this was one proof of the confidence they had in the undertaking ; for if the bank had not been satisfied that the tramway would be a remunerative work, they .would never have given the assistance they had. Wellington was far ahead of the sister colonies in respect to steam tramways, and it was a notable fact that the British House of Commons had not passed the Bill granting permission to run steam tramways at Horae until the latter end of June last. When the promoters of this undertaking first started they had very great difficulties to overcome before they could hope to open the line, but these obstacles had been all conquered, and be was happy to say that tho Wellington City Tramway was an accomplished fact. (Cheers.) He might tell them that although the directors had spent £40,000 iu constructing the line, they hoped to spend £IOO,OOO before they had given steam communication to all parts of the city. Mr. Macdonald concluded by saying that he would nut detain tbo company by making a long speech, but before sitting down would thank all present for the hearty manner in which they had responded to the toast. (Cheers.) The company then adjourned to the cars, and proceeded back to Barrett’s corner. In rounding tho curve at the corner of Vivianstreet and Sussex-square one of the cars got off the line, owing to a switch being left open. The car was quickly lifted on to the rails, and the tram went on without further mishap. In passing along Lambton-quay a speed of twelve miles au hour was obtained, when orders were given to the engine-driver to stop. This was done, the engine pulling up in its own length, and this was repeated several times, which clearly proved that iu case of anything getting across the rails there will he no difficulty in pulling up at once. Of course the rate of speed on the opening day was far higher than it is intended to run at on ordinary occasions. What was done on Saturday was to show that if necessary a high rate of speed could safely be adopted. On arrival at Barrett’s corner, tho passengers alighted, and the engine being shunted, the cars returned to the. sheds, setting down their passengers in many instances opposite their own doors.

The whole affair passed off in the most successful manner, and great praise is due to the directors of the company for the very careful arrangements they had made to ensure the comfort and safety of their’guests; It is worthy of remark that not a single instance occurred of any of the general public offering any ob- t struction or annoyance,indeed everyone seemed most anxious to assist. A more orderly orwell behaved assemblage than the large multitude assembled not be met with. On and after to day the tram cars will run every quarter of an hour, or thereabouts, and will, we have no doubt, be largely patronised. We wish every success to the Wellington Tram*, way Company. . '