PUBLIC OPENING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 64, 27 October 1864, Page 2

PUBLIC OPENING.

Tuesday, the 25th October, 1864, will be a day long remembered \>y the people of Southland, as marking : the first opening of its railway system, an event which has been looked forward to, for a long time back, with anticipations of the most lively interest. The morning dawned somewhat inauspiciously, and several drops of rain which fell about seven o'clock, and a loaring sky, gave indications of a disagi'eeable day for the pleasure-seekers. Fortunately, however, the wind veered a little into the north-west, and the sky then wore a brighter aspect, to the intense satisfaction of hundreds who had set apart the clay as one of festivity and rejoicing in honor of the occasion. By eight o'clock the whole town was alive with bustie and excitement, and great numbers were observed hurrying to the railway station, determined to be in tiinc for the first train to the Makarewa. Nor were the members of the General Committee idle. Many of them had been "up and doing " from a very early hour, completing any necessai-y arrangements which required attention in town prior to the great exodus of the inhabitants to the Makarewa Valley. The time, however, drew nigh, and at nine o'clock the train, consisting of two close carriages and seven open trucks furnished with seats, were in a trice densely packed with eager excursionists. Various members of committee, weai'ing silken rosettes as distinguishing badges, were observed busily employed in superinteudiug the operations and maintaining order ; but in many instances their efforts proved unavailing, so far as the carrying out of the arrangements with regard to tickets were concerned. This, however, was a circumstance almost anticipated ; but those who were denied a trip in the one train geuerally secured a seat in the following one, and with great good humor they resigned their places to those who were more nimble in securing them. Punctual to its appointed time the train moved off from the station, with its living freight, amidst the vociferous cheering of those left behind, who patiently awaited its return, that their turn might come next. The next feature iv the clay's proceedings was the -mustering of the children belonging to the various schools in Invercargill. The Provincial Brass Band turned out and marched to the various starting pl aces > whence they conducted the juvenile excursionists to the general mustering ground, at the Presbyterian Church, Tay-stroet, accompanied, of course, by the teachers. jot, ten o'clock the march was again sounded, and. between 300 and 400 children walked in procession to the Station, to start by the next train, which was appointed to leave at half-past ten o'clock. A short delay occurred, however, but about eleven o'clock the traiu returned IVom its fivst journeyr and in a remarkably short space of time Lheveafte, it was again packed in the most dense manner possible with a perfect swarm of youugstevs, who evidently enjoyed the fun amazingly. This train likewise' was cheered most heartily as it moved slowly from the station, and it returned in good time after discharging its precious load on the verdant banks of the Makarewa. Two more trains succeeded, on each occasion packed as closely as before, and leaving many disappointed would-be excursionists behind. So great was the desire to get to the Makarewa that, on the return of the children's return traiu at 3.30 p.m., another rush, was made for a trip up the line, and no amount of persuasion could displace them ; not even the threat that they might have to remain all night afc the Makarewa, had the slightest effect, at least, on some of those who had secured seats. GrO they woiild — and it turned out afterwards, unfortunately, that the threat used was fulfilled — to the annoyance of those who went, and the regret of all who considered their situation. It is calculated that there could not have been fewer than I,SOO persons conveyed, from town to the i Makarewa that day.