THE ORETI RAILWAY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 60, 18 October 1864, Page 5

THE ORETI RAILWAY.

To-day, 18th October, the first railway in Southland is to be formally opened* This event has been looked forward to with much interest by all classes of our population, and the most sanguine expectations have been cherished respecting the great impulse which "will necessarily be imparted to the settlement and successful cultivation of the vast, alluvial piainß in the interior of the Province. That such anticipations will ultimately be, realised, no one for a moment doubts ; but, inasmuch as only a portion of the projected line is yet available for the purposes of passenger and goods trafilc, an interval of time must elapse ere the full benefits which may legitimately be expected to arise will be reaped. The length of line to be opened to-day is about eight miles, i.e., as far as the Makarewa Biver ; and the country traversed is in every respect admirably adapted for agricultural purposes. The opening train will start from the station at noon, and will proceed without stoppage to the Makarewa, where a short stay will allow time to the excursionist party to view the surrounding scenery. This done, the train will return to town, and the invited guests will partake of a splendid Luncheon, provided by the Committee of Management, within the Station Buildings. Throughout the whole of yesterday workmen were busily engaged in the decoration of the station with evergreens, banners, &c, and their labours have resulted in a most effective display, worthy of the occasion. Along the whole length of the platform table's have been erected where the luncheon will be served. The proceedings will, doubtless, be of an exceedingly interesting character, and the whole of the arrangements have been made with the view to impart to the demonstration that amount of eclat which the importance of the occasion demands. In the evening there will -be a ball in honor of the event, at which the elite of the town and province will be present, and the day generally will be observed as & holiday in Invercargill.