First Sod Turned.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 32, 29 May 1914, Page 5

First Sod Turned.

'the opunake railway. I A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. Yesterday was what has been termed a "gold-letter" day in the history of |Opunake, when the ceremony of turnling the first sod of the Opunake-Te ■Rati Railway was performed by the 'Minister of Public Works (the Hon. jW. Fraser). The site selected for the function I was a chore distance from the main street, and there was a large concourse. A raised platform had been erected, and this was well filled by the invited guests, the Minister being in the forefront. i Mr W. C. Dudley, chairman of the 'Opunake Railway League, opened the 'proceedings with a short speech, and was followed by Mr C. A. Wilkinson. JM.P. for the district, after which Mr ! Dudley requested the Hon. W. Fraser to turn the first sod of the railway. WITH BARROW AND SPADE. Divesting himself of his coat, the Minister descended from the platform and trundled a miniature barrow down a plank at the cud of which he stopped and, taking a small spade, lifted half a dozen small pieces of turf, which he deposited in the barrow and then, wheeling the load to the ond at which he started, he overturned it amid the cheers of the people. In subsequent remarks the Minister said it was a red-letter day for Opunake, adding that it might also be called a yellow day. He knew of their long desire for a railway, and he had very great pleasure in turning its first sod. It was over 30 years since the question of a railway to Opunake was first mooted, and a reserve had been set apart for that purpose from the main line to Opunake, which was then in a stato of nature, but nothing further had been heard of it until recently. After referring to the steps leading up to the present function, Mr Fraser ,mentioned the route, which would be from To Roti to the northern side of the Skeet road, then to the Oeo river where after making a turn it would make a straight line to Opunake. He was told that the earthworks would not be heavy or difficult, though there would be several small cuttings, and the grade would not be more than one in sixty. The only tmid.de was that there, would have to be 17 bridges, but nature had been kind to the district and provided the necessary gravel for the concrete. The length of the lino was 21 miles 17 chains. As to the cost, all he could say was that that would be known when the line wn? finished. He saw no reason why the line should not be finished in 18 months—if Parliament would grant the money but ho pointed out that there were 32 lines now in course of construction and people interested in each of these would take care to fight for a fair share of the available money. Tt woiJld probabN?-cost £IOO,OOO. Mk» Allen said that financial matters were very satisfactory, so he did not anticipate any difficulty in getting money. but he would not ask too much, as be felt he should be careful ns to tb.p total amount to be borrowed. He thanked those present for the hearty welcome given to him, and jointed with them in their wishes for the completion of the line. The country through which the line passed was very beautiful and fertile, and if there was one line in the country that ought to bo made it was the Opunake line. COMPLIMENTARY. Mr Dudley, addressing Mr Fraser, asked his acceptance of a memento of the interesting occasion, in the form of a silver inkstand, and expressed the hope the hope that every time the Minister dipped his pen into it he would put another £1 on the Estimates for the Opunake railway! The Minister suitably acknowledged the presentation, and said he would cherish it and whenever he used it would recall one of the most pleasant days in his life. Three hearty cheers were given for the Minister and for the member, Mr Wilkinson.

Mr Dudley said he had much pleasure in accepting the harrow used that clay and presented by Mr Fraser to the town.

Luncheon was held in the Town Hall, which was prettily decorated for the occasion, Mr Dudley presiding, and having on his right the guest of the day, supported by the members for Taranaki, Egmornt, Stratford and Patea, as well as the representatives of the various public bodies throughout the province.

Tn his remarks (according to the News), Mr J. B. Hine, M.P. for Stratford, said he represented a dairying constituency, whose aims and ambitions had been and would be to assist the Opunake settlers to obtain a connection with the main line. He hoped that those who were ambitious of contesting the various seats in Taranaki would curb their ambitions and leave the present holders undisturbed. He pointed out that the Royal Commission had recommended that the line should connect with Stratford, and ho hoped that there

would ultimately be a connection with the line at that town after the comIpletion of the present line. Ho could say that the people of Stratford were | actuated in their motives by the desire that the Opunake railway should Ibe built, and were content to sink their difference to accomplish it. • Mr Pearce, M.P. for Paten, tipheld [the decision of the Commission in reigard to the route. A long toast list was honored, and j the proceedings lasted till after four o'clock. A banquet was held in Eltham in the evening. .-.; which the Ministerial ■ Dart? were present.