EAST COAST RAILWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 181, 30 January 1912, Page 5

EAST COAST RAILWAY.

FIRST SOD TURNED. A START IN REAL EARNEST. By Telegrapk—Prees Association. Napier, Last Night. A memorable event in the history of Hawke's Bay took place at West Shore, when, in the presence of about four thousand people, the first sod of the NapierGisborne railway was turned tliis afternoon by the Prime Minister. The town was profusely decorated for the occasion, most of the business places and many private residences displaying bunting, while streamers were stretched across the principal streets and at intervals along the entire line of route. Sir Joseph Ward was entertained at lunch at the Masonic Hotel bv the executive of the Citizens' Committee, among those present being the representatives of various local bodies throughout Hawke's Bay. Immediately after the luncheon the procession started for the scene of the ceremony, a little over three miles from Napier Post Office, headed by three bands. The route was lined with ,eager spectators, and as the principal participants in the procession passed l>y they were frequently cheered and sa- ■ luted. The scene at West Shore was an extremely gay one, the inner harbor beach being lined with over sixty yachts with sails set and bunting flying. On arriving at the spot chosen for the ceremony the Mayor (Mr. J. Vigor Brown, M.P.), pre? sented Sir Joseph Ward, who was accompanied by Lady Ward, with a silver- •, mounted spade. The Prime minister then' turned the first sod of the railway amid the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled crowd. In his speech Sir Joseph Ward said that the work of the construction i of the line would be commenced iiv real earnest within the next ten-days. ' \ •