OPENING OF THE OAMARUCHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 243, 1 February 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF THE OAMARUCHRISTCHURCH RAILWAY.

[by our special reporter.] 0 [fiY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] $ The through train to Christchurch, which left Oamaru at eight minutes past seven, picked up a good number of passengers at the Town Boundary, and again forged ahead. Waitaki was reached at seven minutes to eight, Waiho twenty minutes past eight, and Waimate Junction seventeen minutes to nine. Here was met the train from Timaru, the engine being beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens. There was any amount of cheering and hooraying. The train stopped at Waimate fifteen minutes, reached Makikihi two minutes to nine, St Andrew's at twenty minutes to ten, arriving at Timaru at ten minutes past ten, thus making the through journey in three hours and two minutes. Altogether it is a tame affair. Mr. Smith got off at Timaru, and returns by the evening train. There was no demonstration whatever, nor cheering when the train arrived. The Times and Guardian special reporters are at their wits end, and are rushing about like mad to " fake "up something. A whole host of people intended going through to Christchurch, but got off at Timaru. One lion, member of the House of Representatives got disgusted at Waimate, and was seen rushing about the platform with sundry trunks, wishing to transfer them to the Timaru train, and return to town ; but we imagine he was not successful. 3 p.m. A miraculous escape from a serious accident occurred to J. Velvin, storekeeper, at Temuka, to-day. He fell between the train and platform whilst the train was in motion. After some time he was extricated, but had not sustained the slightest injury. Nearly all the excursionists left by the two p.m. train, instead of half-past four, on their return.