RAILWAY OPENING AT WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, 24 March 1881, Page 2

RAILWAY OPENING AT WAVERLEY.

BANQUET AND BALL.

A public dinner was held on Tuesday, in the Waverley new Town Hall, to celebrate the formal opening of the railway extension to Waverley. Feasts and celebrations had been got up by Mr J. Handley at Nuknmaru and by spirited residents at Waitotara, to mark the extension of railway to each place. Waverley tried to eclipse these efforts by an expensive banquet and by a grand ball, inviting notabilities ami public office-bearers between Wanganui and Patea to go and cat a guinea dinner, exchange congratulations, and rejoice with them that do rejoice; joining also in the merry dance after nightfall. Waverley is famous for balls, and is trying to be great in dinners.

About fifty persons sat down to a good dinner supplied by Host Ballam in the new Town Hall in the afternoon. Perhaps a dozen invited guests were present, including Mr Bryce, M.H.8., Mr Ballance, M.H.R., the Mayor of Wanganui, the Chairman of the Patea Harbor Board, the Chairman of the Wairoa Highway Board, the Chairman of the Waverley and Waitotara Highway Board, &e. Major Atkinson, Mr C. A. Wray, and the Chairman of the County Council sent apologies.

An excursion train had come in from Wanganui, bringing a number of tradesmen and others to join in the Waverley celebration. These persons expected to find a public dinner open to all-comers—perhaps not free, but at a moderate charge. There was a sort of Wanganui thunderstorm when these visitors learned that the public dinner was to be highly select, at a guinea ahead. Half-a-dozen members of the Wanganui Corporation held an indignation meeting in the street declaring not one of them would go in and rejoice at that rate. They said the hard times wouldn’t run it. They resolved to mortify the flesh by getting up foot-races, leaping, and jumping—these being favorite recreations with Wanganui tradesmen and Corporate dignitaries rvben they go from home. So each group of persons “ rejoiced ” after its bind, and the fine weather kept all things smooth. Patea sent only two persons to the feast, both by invitation ; and this fact indicates that the Committee who got up this dinner did not hit on the happiest arrangement for drawing neighbours to join in celebrating an event which is a common benefit to all within a wide area. A railway should be a link of sympathy.

Mr G. S. Bridge occupied the chair, and Mr Lowes (Wanganui) the vice-chair. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given. The Giiaiiimax proposed the toast of the day, “ Success to the Railway.” (Applause.) Ho said : The opening of the railway line to Waverley may be looked upon as a new era in the history of the place. Ten years ago, if anyone had said that in March, 1881 the iron horse would be running to Waverley, people would have laughed at him as a dreamer. But the thing has been accomplished. We have the railway to-day. Those who have known the country for this last ten or twelve years have only to look back to see how much the country has progressed in the time. I remember that at that time, where this Hall is built was covered with fern—in fact the whole country was fern and flax and toitoi rigid from here to the Kai Iwi. Now the greater paid of the place is grassed and fenced. If we could have expected that prosperity and change in the last ten years, what may we not look forward to in the next ten, more especially when wc look on the increased facilities wo shall have for getting from one place to another. I need hardly remind some of you of the former dangers of travelling Hick’s lane. Whoever travelled that lane in the winter time would remember it was an arduous undertaking. 1 was afraid to go down with a horse and cart. I met in Hick’s lane a man stuck with his load ; a little farther another man was in the same position ; a third man had left bis cart stuck and gone to help a fourth man farther on. At that time there was really no

road here. We went along this so-called road down on to the beach, and crossed the mouth of the Waitotara river, and finding our way to Waiorley as we could. It was some time before we got the metalled road, and finally bridges crossed the streams. But still there was a great check to the enterprise of the place. We may' remember that at that time the freight between here and Wanganui was about £7 a ton, and afterwards as tbe road improved it came down to £2 10s and £2 a ton. Still, many' of the farming industries are heavily handicapped by excessive freighting. By the opening of the railway I hope to see farmers and tradespeople here placed on a more equitable footing with those persons near the seaports. The opening of the railway will not only give us an exit for our goods Wanganui wa3’, but we have now the port of Patea within ten miles b3 r the road, and we will get the port of Wanganui within hours ly rail from here. Various articles of produce that we have been unable to grow with profit we shall now be able to get rid of. We shall also got through communication to Foxton to get our supply of timber, so very much needed here. I have just received a second telegram from Major Atkinson, which says : “ Accept m 3' best wishes and hearty congratulations on the opening of this railway, and m3’ assurance that 1 will lose no opportunity of getting the gap between Waverley and Hawera completed at as early a date as the funds of the colony’ will permit.” (Applause.) I do not now wish to dwell so much on this point as I otherwise would, but I think you will agree that there is nothing which will so much ensure success to the railway as the canying out of this promise of Major Atkinson’s. (Applause.) The toast was drunk in a bumper.

Mr Stewart, District Engineer, responded, saying : This length of lino is important as connecting us with a central district. It is said by competent authorities that the farther north the railway is opened, the more successful it proves. If it is successful here as to traffic, that will be a very good argument to ask for it to be extended. It is said this line runs very' much along the coast, and does not develope the country more inland. But this railway will be fed in the future by roads leading into the interior, and ultimately by branch-lines. (Applause.) The Vice-Chairman proposed “ The representatives of our district,” explaining how much thch had done towards putting them where they arc. Mr Brvoe, in responding, said: This toast is usually put in the form of “ The House of Representatives.” Mr Lowes : Allow me to correct you in this case.

Mr Bryce : Well, it appears so on the toast list at this end of the table. It has been my fortune to be in the House of Representatives a considerable number of years, and I have had some opportunity of judging what a House of Representatives is like, yet it has not ever fallen to my lot before to respond to the toast. It has been said that of late years the House is deteriorating, I have observed a considerable change in the tone of the House, but I am not prepared to say that the House has in any sense fallen in respect of practical policy. There are no very shining lights ; but if you take the average of the members, I believe their ability will be found to be considerably high. 1 cannot help thinking that the attempt to degrade the House or its members is not only injurious to the members but actually to the people who choose them. It is a poor compliment to the people to say they have selected a lot of muffs to represent them in Parliament. My opinion is that the House of Representatives as a whole consists of men of considerable practical ability, and men of considerable patriotism. (Applause.)

Mr Ballance also responded, saying : There is one thing about the House of Representatives which you will all admit. It is exceedingly liberal. It has been liberal in the past in voting railways, but it is not always so liberal in providing the money. I remember about ten years since the railway along this coast was first placed in the schedule of public works, and now we arc inaugurating the latest extension, which still leaves a large gap before the railway is completed. There is a distinction to be drawn between the performances and the promises of the House of Representatives; still I think it fairly represents the varied interests and the intelligence of the colony, and that is all you can expect (he House to be. That House is really the governing body of the colony. In 1871 I looked forward to this railway being completed along the coast within four or five years ; and 1 hold that considering

the importance of the district and the position of native affairs, and considering that the genctal prospects of the district afforded paying returns perhaps superior to any other district in the colony', some parties arc to blame in not having this raihva3' completed at an cailicr date. (Hear, hear.) I am pleased however to hear that we occupy so high a position that the telegram sent to-da3’ announces that as soon as funds permit, which I hope will be very soon, the extension of this railway will be completed. (Hear, hear.) Mr Lowes explained that the toast should have been “ The House of Representatives,” and apologised for his error in proposing it.

Mr Brewer, Waitotara, proposed “ Our Visitors,” whom they were much pleased to see. The line would enhance the value of their property', and give them the pleasant facility of seeing distant friends. Life being short, what was life without their friends ? Mr Watt responded, expressing groat faith in the district’s development. Mr Bkyoe volunteered a toast, “ Success to this district,” and made a neat and lively speech full of allusions to his fighting days and war’s alarms. A rail" wa3’, he said, should really be looked on as a high road, and as nobod3’ asked whether a particular high road paid a dividend, wli3 r should lhe3' not treat a railwa3 r ns a similar kind of investment to a public road ? lie believed Wanganui would be the port of export of that future great industry, frozen meat. Their beef was incomparable in qualil3’, but the quality of their mutton needed improving for the Home market, though they could grow plenty of fat and wool. (Laughter.) Mr W. Wilson, Whenunknra, responded say’ing the present native difficulty would never have occurred if stronger measures had been taken by Ministers some 3’ears ago. Sir Julius Vogel was entitled to much praise for his polic3’ of public works, being the first public man who put his shoulder to the wheel.

Mr D. Scott proposed the “ Health of the contractors ; and alluding to delays in taking over the finished work, he said the longer they built railways the more difficult was it to please the Government. They got more particular, he supposed, because there was now less of this work doing. (Laughter.) Mr Wii.kik responded.

Mr W. Milne proposed “ Successful and speedy completion of the line to Hawera.” He was not so sure.that the Wairoa produce was going to Wanganui. He rather thought Palea was their natural port, snd hoped to see the line pushed on northward. (Hear, hear.) Mr SuEitwoun: In speaking to this toast, it has been a matter of surprise to me, ever since the public works were inaugurated, and ever since such great prominence was given to this line from Foxton to New Plymouth, that the work has not been pushed on with more energy, and been completed within one-half of the time that this portion has taken to carry out. I fail to see the real reason why the work could not be pushed on, while I have seen great reasons why. it should be carried cut. The native difficulty was a bugbear created by the action of Governments, and not by Hie action of individuals. I can remember the time when we were clamoring, as we thought we had a right to clamor, for public works in this district, when we were told that we must submit to a period of rest, and allow public works to be carried out in a leisurely manner. We had no political power. Members who represent this district, and know its capabilities, have walked out of the House, saying they would not join in the scramble for railways ; and that would have been .commendable bad they not, by so doing, indirectly voted for railways in other directions. We have got . a large portion of the Waimatc Plains occupied by Europeans. They are now in the same minority that wc were in former times. It is our duly to support them in what they have had promised to them, and that is a branch line to Opunaki, and so complete the system of the Coast. I should be glad if Mr Bryce could ho brought to believe as much in Patea harbor as I do. Sufficient has been don» there to prove that a little more might ho judiciously expended. Where good has been done, more good can be accomplished. While I believe Wanganui harbor will be improved, I don’t believe it is to be the port for Wairoa district, and that is the Patea district. Patea will be able to convey all the frozen meat that will be exported from this district. I would strongly direct the attention of you gentlemen of Wanganui to devclopo your district inland, and bring forth the long promised coal. Only the other day one of

the Ministers of the Crown passed through Patea and expressed surprise tliat tlic railway was not completed through, and lie said, “ Wliat have yon been about ?” I said “We bave employed every consti-. tntional means allowed (o ns. Wo bave petitioned tbe House almost every session, and bave shown what the country is and its producing capabilities.’ 7 Then the next question came, “ What bave your members been about?” I said at once; “1 give that |np—it is a conundrum beyond m 3' power of comprehension.” (Laughter.) We are told there is no 11101103' available to finish this line at present. This is a mere nothing in comparison with expensive works in other parts of tbe coloiy, yet mone3’ is found for (hem. I believe if there were an honest and sincere desire to push this work on, the money’ would be found. I hope the whole of the people along this Coast, 1 may even sa3' from Wellington to Auckland, will join with one voice in demanding completion of this line rigbf through. I will venture to rim the risk of being classed as a Wanganui lunatic by predicting—which is no uncommon thing below—that within ten years the train will be running through to Auckland, because it will be found that the railway’ 83’Ktem along this coast lias paid so well that whatever Government may he in power will of necessit3' carry out that policy. It is not desirable to spend such large sums in improving harbors where there is great doubt as to what will be the result. Instead of spending thesejsums in solving problems, it would be more patriotic to spend the 11101103’ in opening up the country*, where we are sure of the result. (Applause.) Mr Howie proposed “ The Press.” Mr Nottman responded, and proposed the health of the district railway manager. Mr Rotherham, in responding, said : The farther we open this railway north, the lighter it makes my duties, because the farther north we go the more traffic w'e get. There is a very large trade in stock likel3” to spring up between the .Hast and West Coasts. 1 expect to receive 5,000 to 6,000 sheep from the East Coast in a few days. There is also an increased demand ior timber on the Wahnate Plains, and a great deal of Manawatu timber is likely to be carted from Waverle3 T . (Hear, hoar.) The company' separated about 5 o’clock, some to return to Wanganui, others to prepare for the evening ball.