NAPIER-WAIROA LINK

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 461, 1 July 1937, Page 6

NAPIER-WAIROA LINK

NEW LINE OPENED Official Ceremony Press Association —Copyright. Wairoa, June 30.' To-day was the greatest day in the history of Wairoa and a large part of the east coast district, being, the occasion of the opening of the Mohaka viaduct, the construction of which is ' considered the most 'difficult task in the building of the east coust railway, by the Hon. R. Semple,, Minister of Public Works, who drove the last spike holding the rails to the sleepers, and of ithe arrival of a raii L car at Wairoa, the first passenger unit of the New Zealand railways to be seen on the Napier-Wairoa line. A ceremony at the viaduct and the arrival of the railcar at Wairoa signified the completion of the first section of a railway which has been long looked forward to by the people of ' the district. The occasion was one which caued wild excitement in the ■a jo whole district between Nalpier and Wairoa, settlers for ‘ miles around flocking to the nearest point on the line to cheer the vehicle as it passed In addition to Mr Semple, the party which came from Wellington by railcar comprised the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Mr G. H. Mackley, Mr L. J. Schmitt. Mr Wood, engineer in chief of the Public Work, Department, Mr E. P. MCachen, M.P., Ministers’ wives and departmental officers. The party was joined at Nt pier by Mr W. E . Barntrd, M.t>., Mr E. L. Cullen, M.P., and local body members. The railcar left Napier at 8.45 a.m., arriving at the viaduct at 10.50, a stop being made at Putorino, where a welcome was given by school chii dren. With Mr Sullivan at the controls the vehicle, proceeded across the viaduct, at. 'a. slow pace to the' cheers Of hundreds of settlers and children, many of whom had not seen a train before. Hakas of welcone were given by Maori children and a welcome was extended to the Ma, isters bv Mr Culler-. Mr Meachen read a statement for Mr Semple reviewing the 'history of the construction of the line The total expenditure since the resumption of work about the middle of last •pear had been £420,000, a considerable proportion of which had been on plant. Mr Semple paid tributes to the efforts of the men engaged on the construction of the viaduct, especially the engineer in charge, Mr D. H. 'Haskell. The building of the viaduct had exploded the theory thi.t to pay men well was bad for the country The men engaged on the viaduct had .haltered all records tot Work of this nature in the Dominion and, he be lieved, in Aurtrallta, too. The viaduct was also built at less than the estimated cost. Mr Sullivan said it was desired in the meantime to give an express train connection between Wairoa and Wellington, 270 miles, in about 114 hours, and then by road motor to Gisborne, making the through time between Wellington and Gisborne. 14 hours for a total distance of 328 miles. Tentative proposals also provided for ta night passenger service, in which a special combination sleeping and day car would be provided.