OPENING THE MAIN TRUNK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 269, 6 November 1908, Page 2

OPENING THE MAIN TRUNK.

By Telegraph.—l'res9 Association. Wellington, Last Night. A banquet was held in the concert room of 1 lie Sown Hall this afternoon to celebrate the completion of the .Main Trunk line. The guests numbered iiliout 80, the principal being the P:eniier, the Hon. \V. IJall-Jones, and Dr. Findlay. Others included member-; of 'Parliament ami other prominenl local citizens. Mr. «i. Dutliie, vii-t--])iesitli-nt of the Chamber of Commerce. presided. He slated the line bad not been lorriedly built, but was of a permanent character.

The Premier said lie was coalident the line would pay well. The Hon. W. Hall-Jones said the first sod had been turned by Sir Robert Stout 011 April 15, 1885. Since 1000 good progress had been made, find the line would have been completed in four years from that date, hut other important works required attention. Ilu praised tile Department's staff and the co-operative workers. The health of the new High Conmiis-

sinner was proposed by O. Sliirtclilfo. The Hon. Hall-Jones, replying, expressed the opinion that our products should be better known at Home. lie felt that a demand for our products could be created hi parts of England whe \-c prejudice al present exists. Once that demand exists, then there would be competition and better prices. What ener','v lie had ,would be devoted to the interests of .Sew Zealand, to do all he could to further trade and commerce.

The special train with the party for the Main Trunk line, celebration aboard left Wellington punctually at 10 O'clock to-ui"lit. The party numbers about one hundred, including Sir Joseph Ward, lion. W. llall-Jones, many members of Parliament and prominent citizens of Wellington. , Auckland. Last Night. The special train which left Auckland at 10-15 to-night in connection with the openiii" of the Main Trunk line, bore 1 upwards of a hundred invited guests. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds hail with him in the Ministerial carriage Captain Parker, of the American warship Annapolis. Amongst the other were the Hons. T. Thomson and W. Beeiian. M.'sL.C., and Mr. C. H. Poole, the various Consuls, mayors, chairmen and members of local bodivss, president and members of the Railway League, and several other representative men. lac Mavor of Auckland was "unable to make the trip, and wired Mr. Fowlds to the effect that lie felt assured the consult " ination of this important undertaking ' would not only add to the productive- ' ness and prosperity ol the North Is* " land, but would tend to a more united ' and vigorous national life.