THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1329, 18 April 1885, Page 1

THE NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

The ceremony of turning the first sod of the North Island Main Trunk Railway at the Te Awamutu end of the line was performed on Wednesday afternoon, and was witnessed by a large assemblage of natives and Europeans, The preliminary operations are being carried out on Ihe Pumi River, three miles from Te Awamutu, and immediately within the boundary of what is known os the King country. Around the spot selected for the ceremony Europeans and natives to the jiumber of 600 sat or stood, in apparent anxious expectancy. The importance of the event appeared to be fully realised by all. Precisely at two o’clock Mr Hales, District Engineer, slopped forward, and said as engineer having charge of the local Public Wotka, he had much pleasme in calling on Wahanui, on behalf of the native people, to commence the work of the construction of the railway by the first sod, Wahaum divested himself of his coat, and cutting three sods placed them in the same barrow which was used by Sir George Grey at Cjandetands some time ago, Rewi then called upon the Premier to wheel the sods away, and Mr Stout, also removing his coat, wheeled the sods to the end of a plank and tipped them out on to the sward. Loud cheers greeted the conclusion of this part of the ceremony, the Band playing “ God ; Save the , Qpeen,” and ‘ ‘ Cheer, Boys, Cheer,” , ' Mr Stout delivered an admirable address, as also' did Wahanui. At the conclusion of each speech the cheers were renewed. At the call of the Mayor of Auckland, three hearty cheers were given for Rewi and Wahanui. The party was afterwards shown over the battlefield at Orakau by Rewi, who related to Mr Stout a number of incidents connected with this memorable fight.