Railway Demonstration. :

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3074, 21 December 1878, Page 2

Railway Demonstration. :

TTONlß'aef thePIBST SOD.

The interesting and important ceremony of turning the first sod of the Thames and Waikato Bailway, for which arrangements have been made for the, past few days, took place to-day. The Bailway Committee, to whom was relegated the task of the arrangements for the ceremony, and the luncheon afterwards at the Volunteer Hall, deserve great credit for the amount of work done in so short a space of time. At tha request of His Worship the Mayor, the principle tradespeople closed their shops early, but with the exception of some bunting, there was little other attempt to decorate 'our principal thoroughfares. The Burke street wharf was gaily ornamented with strings of flags, and the signal post decorated with them, the new Harbor Board flag showing conspicuously, from the mast-head. A telegram having been receded from Captain Fairchild, of the New Zealand Government steamer Hinemoa, to .the effect that that vessel, with Sir George Grey and a number of ladies and gentlemen, would arrive at Tararu at 11 o'clock to-day, the smart little p.s. Euby was chartered to meet the Hinemoa,

and was ready to depart as soon as the steamer hove in sight. It appears that the time for the Hinemoa sailing was altered, and she consequently did not arrive till after eleven. His Worship the Mayor, the County-Chairman, Chairman of Harbor Board, and Chairman of Parawai Board then proceeded in the Euby to meet the Premier and party. In the meanwhile a number of gentlemen, had collected at the, end of the wharf, amongst whom we noticed County Councillors Brown, Greenville, Coutts, Bagnall, and Porter; Borough Councillors Ehrenfried, Hansen, Speight, Graham, and Wilson; Mr J. Cadman, Chairman Coromandel Council; Mr F. C. Dean, Town Clerk ; Mr W. Bowe, M H.E.; Messrs Spencer, Hopcraft, Gibbons, Best, and a number of others.

THE LANDING.

About 12 o'clock the little steamer was seen to leave. the side of the Hinemoa, and in about half an hour, after some delay was experienced through the shallowness of the water, the Ruby got alongside, having on board the following visitors: — Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Premier-; W.: Mitchell, Esq., Private Secretary; J. A. McMinn, Esq., M.H.E., Waipa; Captain Wilson and Mr Wilson; T. Peacock, Esq., Mayor of Auckland^; J. W. Melton, Mayor of Parnell, and Miss Melton ; Crs Waddell and Fleming, Auckland City Council; P. A. Phillips, Esq., Town Clerk, Auckland; — Kinselia. Esq., New Zea--1 land Herald; D. H. Perry, Esq., reporter Auckland Star, and C. O. Montrose, Esq., reporter for Eeuter. The party, beaded by the Thames Scottish band, then marched down the wharf' to where the carriages were stationed and a large crowd had as* sembled. Hearty cheers were given for the Premier by the public at the town end of the wharf, as the party reached the. locality where the carriages were stationed. The Naval Brigade fired a salute. The Premier, the Mayor, Mr Rowe (M.H.E.), County Chairman and Chairman of the Harbor Board were accommodated in the second carriage, the leading vehicle being occupied by Borough and County Councillors. The other carriages, to the number of fifteen or twenty, were quickly occupied by representatives of the Press, visitors and 'members of ■ local bodies, and the procession started up Burke, street, continuing along Owen, Brown and Albert streets into Pollen street. All along were hundreds of spectators and many accompanying the procession, which went at a slow pace headed by the Thames Sco tish Band on foot. On arrival at Mary street the carriages turned down to the beach to the site selected by Mr J. Blackett for

TUBNMfG THE FIBBT SOD,

which is a plot of ground below high water mark on the foreshore, next the Thames Gas Company's property, and in front of the residence of. the Jlev. Mr Laishley. A good piece of land had been fenced in temporarily, a small structure erected for the reception of the Premier, and other inclosures for the band and the school children. The general public were not admitted to the enclosure but the whole of the proceedings could . be witnessed from the outside, and there was no undue crowding or pushing. On arrival at the inclosure Sir George Grey was received by Dr Kilgour, Chairman Thames Valley Railway Committee, and other members of the Committee, and some four or five hundred school children sang two verses of " God Save the Queen," under the leadership of Mr J. Grigg, in very good style. The Chairman Thames Valley Railway Committee next read and presented to Sir George Grey the following

ADDBBSS :—

To Sib (Seohoe Gbbt, X.C.8.,—• Sib, —Thii Committee, in asking ypj* to turp the first sod of (ho TJwnei

Valley Bailway, desire to express to you the' great satisfaction which they, in common with every inhabitant of the District, feels on the present occasion, which is the happy termination of a long and arduous agitation commenced more than six years ago, and carried on without much encouragement. Notwithstanding the want of success which attended their efforts to obtain a favorable consideration of this question for many years, the Committee never lost sight of the object they had in view, but took every opportunity of pressing it upon the attention of the Government of the day, but still without any result until you, sir, appeared upon the scene, and announced to the people of the Thames that you considered the scheme to be not only pracicable, but reasonable, and a project deserving the attention of the Legislature of the Colony and of capitalists seeking profitable investments. From that time until the last session of Parliament the prospects of the Thames Valley Bailway continued steadily to improve, when your Government took the decided step of placing it on the schedule of railway works to be undertaken.by the Colony of New Zealand. This recognition of a scheme no less useful than necessary redounds much to the credit of your G^etiinapnt for justice, impartiality and foresight, and weHtow have the pleasure to invite you thus to crown an. undertaking which already owes so much to your advocacy, by making a formal commencement of the work. For the Thames Valley Eailway ' Committee.

•' James Kilgoub, Chairman,

Sir George Grey said he was rery much obliged for the address just presented to him, and very happy to be present on such an occasion, as that, when the work they had been striving for for years was about 10 be practically'started. (Cheers.) '',

Sir George Grey then proceeded to turn the first sod. A gangway had been run out from the small building erected, alongside which were some turf sods. A very handsome wheelbarrow of rimu (manufactured by Mr P. Dann), and Tarnished,|was standing near, and a light spade of ordinary make, the. silver implement ordered.for the occasion not having been finished. Sir George proceeded to handle his tools in a workmanlike manner. He dug a good sod, put it int* the barrow and wheeled it back to the shed instead of putting it over the " tip,';' amid the cheers and complimentary re? marks of the spectators, and thel greatest enthusiasm was manifested. Addressing Dr Kilgour, Sir George made a short speech — on si- { lence being restored—the purport of which our representative (who was not near enough to hear distinctly and was entirely unable to write just at that time by the pressure about him) understood to be that he trusted the railway thus in? augurated would prove a blessing to the .community and a convenience for the commerce of the inland districts, and that it would conduce to make this one of the finest ports in New Zealand. Mr Peacock, Mayor of Auckland, said he had very great pleasure on behalf of the people of Auckland in congratulating the Thames on the proceedings of that day. There would have been it much greater attendance of Auckland visitors, but for some - uncertainty regarding the steamer and the day. He need not 1 dilate on the importance of rail way works. That was recognised everywhere, and the benefits felt. Auckland people were aware of the importance ojf opening up the country. The energy which had been displayed in bringing, the' work commenced (hat day to a practical issue was deserving of success, and he could assure them they had the good wishes of the people of Auckland. Mr J. W. Melton expressed the pleasure he felt at being present to represent the Borough of Parnell. After the speech of ivi r Peacock it would be unnecessary, for him to say much, but he would reiterate that they had the good wishes of the burgesses of Parnell in this undertaking. He regretted that the Mayor (his successor), Mr Cpleman, was prevented by illness from attending to day aud occupying the position he (Mr Melton) did. He would again say he congratulated the Thames people on the result which had attended their exertions.

Mr McMiun, M.H.B. for Waipa, hoped to be able some day to congratulate them at the other end of the Hue on the completion of the work begun that day. He was sorry there was no other representative from Waikato present, but the fact was they - were nearly all farmers in Waikato, and. il was very inconvenient to leave their homes at this season. The Thames had a warm friend in the Premier, who had always done what he could for the district, and particularly in regard to the railway and other matters during the late session of Parliament.

Mr Cadman, Chairman Coromandel County Council, also congratulated the Thames people, that day. He hoped it would not be many years before the Coromandel people would be able to invite the Thames to assist in a similar work at their esd of the peninsula. l)r Bilgoufcread an apology from H. Brett, Esq., ex-Mayor of Auckland, congratulating the Thames people on the work of the day, and regretting that he and Mrs Brett were unable to avail themselves of the invitation to be present. : Three cheers were then given for the visitors in a hearty manner, and the band played a selection of music. The school children present then sang " My Own New Zealand Home," a song, the words and music of which were composed by Mr J. Grigg, wiio conducted,, the Thames Scottish Band giving an accompaniment in the chorus. On the finish of the song. Sir George Grey went over to the children and informed them that he was much obliged for their nice singing, and the children made answer by giving three lusty cheers for Sir George, which he responded to by bowing, and the children seemed mightily pleased. A tew minutes were spent in loboking about, many of the visitors leaving the platform and going into the main inch> sure, and Sir George Grey then made a short speech to the children. He said he was very happy to see them to-day. Their presence gave him unfeigned plea* oure. He hoped they would preserve tbeir smiting faces and cultivate a habit of using gentle words. Their smiling faces showed they had happy homes, and if they used gentle words they would know that a soft answer turned ,*wej wrath.' Ho would impress upon them obedience and respect for ■ their' pa> rents, so that when they became mothers and fathers they would.

know how much pleasure that gave to parents. He hoped they would grow up to be virtuous, aad strive to make the country of their birth one of the greatest and happiest on the face of the earth Not only great in material wealth, but great in regard to virtue and intellect and ail that tended to render people happy. He was very pleased to have the opportunity of saying a few words to them that day. The children again gave three cheers for bir George, and. a move was then made for the carriages the occupants reseating themselves without delay, and a start was made, the Band playing in front as usual. It Wag intended to proceed ' directly to the Volunteer Hall for the luncheon, but it appears arrangements were not quite complete at the time appointed, and the carriages continued past .Richmond street and went along the County Boad. LTOCHBOK. On returning from Parawai the driving party, with a large number of ladies and gentlemen, proceeded to the Volunteer Hall, where about 230 tat down to an excellent lunch, provided by Mr Symington. - The , hall was deeooted with evergreens and mottos. Dr Kil gour, Chairman of the Bailway Com. mittee, occupied the ebair, and was supported on his right by Sir Gvua* Grey and His Worship the Major, and on the left were. the.County Chairman and Mr W. Eowe, M.H.B* ifSjffi .Brown, County Councillor, occupied the Vice-Chair. The members of the recep. tion committee, distinguished by blue and white rosettes, made themselves h«iy attending to the wants of the gueits' The Chairman called on them to fill their glasses to drink to the health nf 11 Her Majesty the Queen." . Drank with cheers. i . ■" The Chairman proposed the health of "His Bbyal Highness, the Prioee of Wales and the rest of the fioyal Family " The Mayor proposed " His Excellency the Governor." He had much pleasure in proposing the toast, and he was sure it would give them pleasure to respond to it. There was no place in the British Dominion more loyal than New Zealand, and he was sure the toast would be well receired. . , ,1 . ' jl~' The County Chairman, ie a neat speech, proposed the V Army, Nary>dv3un! teen, especially referring to the present deed* of the Army in India. „ , „ 'Major Withers responded- to the tout. They all knew; >whaMhe Army had done, and also what the Volunteers h*d done for the country. ' :.-.•'•* ;-■ -■/*> Mr Greenville responded for the navy. He said he was somewhat takenabick it % bejng asked to respond, as he; was not aware that anyone knew he was a navy man. He thanked them for the manner they had drunk the toaifc. .■' ; ' • [Owing to the alteration of the:hour at which the banquet commenced.out report.is necessarily incomplete.] ; .„. -