OPENING OF THE WAIMATE GORGE RAILWAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1073, 20 February 1883, Page 3

OPENING OF THE WAIMATE GORGE RAILWAY.

The above railway line was opened last Friday. About 400 persons were present, these gathering from Waimate Timaru and other places. About 11 o’clock a train of 14 carriages left the Waimate station and arrived at Waihoa Forks about ten minutes to 12. The day was a most unfavorable ones and doubtless caused the absence of many who would otherwise have been present A luncheon was given in the Waimate Forks Goods station, of which some 120 persons partook. The chair was occupied by Mr Douglas, Chairman of the Directors, supported by the Eev C, Coates, and Mr Steward, M.H.Ro, Mr M. Studholme and His Worship the Mayor of Waimate occupying the vice-cbairs. The toasts of ‘ The Queen and Royal Family,’ ‘ The Army, Navy and Volunteers,’ ‘The Advisers of the Governor,’ and ‘The Par*’ hament of New Zealand,’ were drank and duly honored.

Mr W. J. Steward said the next toast called for a few remarks. It was was necessary the work should be carried to its legitimate conclusion by extending it to the Hakateramea. It was now five or six years since the railway through the Gorge was projected The natural facility offered by the rift in the hills naturally suggested the idea, In June, 1878, a Company was formed with £50,000 capital, nominal for some time nothing was done except making a preliminary survey. Eventually after great delay, about tcu months ago the contract was let to Mr Black. The cost of the line, taking the average of the three sections and including fencing, plate-laying, stations, and the bridge built to avoid using tho traffic one over

the south branch of the Wailioa / was

> £3522 13s 4(1 per mile, which showed 1 favorably with the average of Govcru--1 raent construction, which was £5500 t per ni’le. It spoke volumes for the good management of the Engineer, Directors, contractors, and all coni cerned, as also did the fact that they were now celebrating the opening of these Similes, the first contract for which was signed last April. It was highly satisfactory to find they had men of enterprise sufficient to project these works and men of practical ability to carry them out. Mr W. J. Black was contractor for the construction and bridges, Messrs O’Malley and Easley for the platelaying, and Messrs bimpson and Anderson for the buildings. There was no doubt of the success of the work. That had been proved by their pleasant trip that day, but the financial success was another thing. Ho felt no doubt about this, however, There was no better land in the Middle Island than that now opened up and to be opened up. Messrs Studholme and Douglas’ late consignment ot mutton fiom the district realised an average of 7d a lb in the London Market on 1500 sheep, which left a very handsome margin of profit. The land would bo sold and settled on by farmers. The railway would help to sell the land and that was the object of some of the shareholders of the line. There would not only be freight from agricultural produce, but tho minerals,stone, coal, etc., with which the Waihoa district abounded would be made available, and cause traffic beyond all present ideas. The stone exceeded in value the famous Oamaru stone. (A voice; No,) The Mayor of Oamaru said ‘ No,’ How ever, it could not be gainsaid that there were practically unlimited quantities of stone, excellent pottery clay, and lignite, No doubt coal also would be found, and thus many branches of industry would be fostered by the opening of the line. Besides, the beautiful scenery went for a good deal, and would certainly create a passenger traffic to a great extent. The work was a great provision for the future, and, as the value of property increased, both the district and the state would be benefited. This line must not stop there, but be continued to Hakateramea, through the Mackenzie Country and on to Burke’s Pass. This would be about 65 miles in length, through a grand country, and at a cost of £4OOO per mile would cause such an increase in the value of the land opened up as would be equal to the cost of construction. The agricultural land too, was only one item. Pastoral country convenient to the line would be increased in value ofjrental from 7d to Is 6dper acre. Mr Steward here gave statistics of the land which would be opened up by this line, showing the splendid effects which would be produced by carrying on the work as he recommended, It might be asked why the Government did not support it, but kissing went by favor. Very few members of the Government knew this country. He had mooted the matter and attended a caucus of Canterbury and Westland members and gave an estimate of £64,000 for the construction of the Waimate and Hakateramea railway, but failed in getting the sum placed on the Estimates. He would say that if the Government did not go on with it, the Company should carry the work on at least for 16 miles further, making applications to the Government for land. Every man in South Canterbury should take an interest in this work. He concluded a very able speech by proposing the health of * The Directors,’ coupling it with the name of Mr Douglas.

Mr Douglas briefly replied. After eulogising the Company’s Engineer and Secretary (Messrs Ilolt and Sice) he referred to the magnificent country they were opening up, and he hoped those present would be ashed up to luncheon on a similar occasion at a point from which could be soon the Hakateramea Valley, the Mackenzie Country and the Waihoa.

Mr Goldsmith (Mayor of Waimatc) in a short speech proposed the health of Mr McGregor. Mr McGregor regretted tho absence of Mr Holt, to whom was in a great measure due any credit derivable from the planning of the work, but ho was happy to say Mr Holt, tho Contractors, the Directors, and himself worked with one accord. The work had been creditably done, with materials of tho best. He would correct some of Mr Steward’s figures, Tlie capital of the Company was £IOO,OOO, not £50,000, with borrowing power of £75,000 so that there was a large margin for further operations. He would only say the country fully

deserved the outlay for tapping it, and the line would surely pay.

The toasts of‘ The Contractors,’ ‘ The Farming Interests of New Zealand,’ Success to the Town and Trade of Waimate/ ‘ Success to the Timnru and Oamaru Harbor works,’ ‘ The Waimate County Council,’ ‘ The Mayor and Council of Waimate,’ ‘ The Visitors/ ‘The Ladies/ and ‘The Press/were given and responded to, ‘ Auld Lang Syne/ was then sang and the event of the day was over. The train was in readiness, and the visitors were soon on their way home well pleased with the proceedings-