THE OPENING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 374, 8 November 1932, Page 5

THE OPENING

: PRIME MINISTER'S ADDRESS . Thngarakau, Monday. , About 3000 residents of Taranaki and Wa|marino attended the . ceremony, at \vhich' thq Rt. Hon G. W. Forbes drove the last spikq into the line which gives Taranaki direet communication with Auckland hy rail. The weather was hrilliant, Mr. Forbes was introduced by Mr.

F. Langstone, member for Waimarino, who stressed the importance of railway s to the development of the Dominion. Addressing the gathering before performing the ceremony, Mr. Forhes said that anything that would bring farmers and settlers closer to the port would serve to equip them better for competition in the world's markets. He was confident that just as the difficulties eonfronting the completion of the railway line had heen overcome so would he overcome the difficulties facing the Dominion as a whole. Hard work, determination and initiative had aetuated those who had brought about the completion of the railway line, and it was hy the exercise of these qualities that the people of the Dominion would rise above their difficulties. Mr. Forbes paid a tribute to the engineers and all others who had carried out the work in connection with the line. Support Needed The Mayore'ss of Stratford presented Mr. Forbes with a silver spike, and the Mayoress of Taumarunui presented him with a silver mallet, to" commemorate the ceremony. Hon. R. Masters said now the line 'had heen completed it was for the people of the district to make use of it. A very great deal depended upon them. ' Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates gave an undertaking that he would do his besft to make some provision for those who had lost their permanent employment as a resnlt of the completion of the work. When everything was ready for the train to pro'ceed alorig the completed line, Mf, Coates mounted the cabin of the engine and took over control. People rushed to the side pf the line and placed coins under the wheels, thus ereating for themselves souvenirs of the occasion. Standing on the cow-cateh'er with a small pair of scissors open in his hand was Mr. F. W. Furkert, the retiring eng'ineer-in-chief to the Puhlic Works Department, and tumultous eheering hroke forth. as the tape was snipped and the . train proceeded on its way.