OPENING THE MAIN TRUNK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 268, 5 November 1908, Page 2

OPENING THE MAIN TRUNK.

By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Midnight. On Friday morning the Prime jMimster (Sir Joseph Ward) will drive the last spike of the North island Main Trunk Hailway, Wellington and Auckland, linked up at last by a far speeder and more reliable method of communication than they ever before enjoyed, are specially celebrating the eveiit,' for the line will lie of incalculable value in forwarding the progress of these two cities. Tlie celebrations commence in Wellington to-day, when the leading business men of the city, together with Hie Prime Minister and'the Minister lot Public Works (the Hon. W. Hail-Jones) attend a luncheon promoted by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and AVellington Industrial Association, to be held in the concert chamber of the Town Hall. The special train conveying tbe party lo Auckland will be much smaller than the Parliamentary through train, a fact which makes for greater comfort in travelling. It leaves ilie Wellington and Mauawatu (.'unipiiuy's slition at 111 o'clock to-night, and reaches ;lie central point at 8..'!0 to-morrow mumiug. A halt of half an hour is allowed, for the ceremony, the driving of a silver-plated spike by the Prim" Minister at the request, of the lion. W. Hall-lone-., whose administrative courage and ability bave done so much I o accelerate the construction of the line luring the last few \ ears. A special Irain with, the Auckland visitors will meet the Wollnigtoniaiis at the scorn 1 of the ceremony, both trains ninni'igl to the northern city within half an hour of each other, about (i p.m. The return journey will commence at 11.3(1 p.m. on Friday, Wellington being reached at 7 p.m. on Saturday. A complete list of the passengers on the special-train is not yet available, but they will number between eighty and one hundred, including the Prime Minister, the Minister for Public Works, members of the Wellington City Council, the Town Clerk and City Engineer, Wellington Industrial Association committee, Chairman of the Wellington and Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid] Board, Chairman, Engineer, and Secretary of the Wellington Harbor Board, and many members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.