GISBORNE-NAPIER RAILWAY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 192, 12 February 1912, Page 5

GISBORNE-NAPIER RAILWAY

GOVERNOR TURNS FIRST SOD. I AND OPENS A HOSPITAL'. By Telegraph—Preee Association. Gisborne, Last Night. The first sod of the northern end of the Gisborne-Napier railway was turned by the Governor yesterday. Lord Islington said this was the most important function of the many he had been invited to perform in Gisborne. He was instructed that the line would pass through considerable natural obstacles, but looking broadly over the Dominion, and taking into consideration the short time (comparatively) this Dominion had been a British colony, the mileage of projected railways was rightly creditable to the people of New Zealand. The day's ceremony he hoped would form a new era to the whole trade and prosperity of Gisborne and the neighborhood, because it had not been so fortunate as some other towns in New Zealand. He thought all might be fully assured by the duplicate ceremony at Napier a few days ago that there would be for certain from this date simultaneous development at both ends of the line, and he hoped for the early completion of the work,; which was proceeding excellently. He said it was the most gratifying announcement in the district during recent years, and congratulated them upon the increased population and increased trade and commerce, which was highly satisfactory.

• Lord Islington commented favorably upon the marked development in the cultivated area in, the neighborhood >of Gisborne and tie corresponding increase of , settlers established in the district. This had all taken place in recent In spite of the fact that the district was without railway transport. He thought it was a great credit to the people that such developments had taken place. Now they had reached this stage of robust maturity, railway facilities were of urgent importance, and he the benefits that would be obtained therefrom. It was also urgently needed to still further develop the splendid land that he had passed through, and thus add to the sinews of commerce of Gisborne and the whole Dominion. (Applause.)

The Mayor, Mr. W. Pettie, in thanking Lord Islington, commented on the fact that this was not the first occasion on which a railway waß started in Gisborne. Twelve years ago the Premier turned the first sod of a Gishorne-Napier railway, which had. now reached Motu, some 40 miles away, and had been of considerable benefit. Concluding, on behalf of the district, the Mayor presented Lord Islington with a gold spade, suitably inscribed.

Representatives of other local bodies spoke, also Mr. J. Hunter Brown, chairman of the Wairoa County Council, and Mr. F. W. Williams and Mr. D. Whyte, representing the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. '

When laying the foundation stone of the new hospital, the Governor said he thought it a good thing combining legislation for hospital and charitable aid boards, and he thought the public was. better situated here than' in England', where the hospitals had to depend for a considerable part on public subscriptions. The Governor was here presented with a silver trowel. *■{ His Excellency left this evening for Napier, en route to Wellington.