THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi.` SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1878.

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

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi.` SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1878.

On a day like this, when speech after, speech has been made, the tenour of which has been congratulatory, it is unnecessary for us to say much on the matter. The first practical step towards connecting Thames with the upper country, with the main trunk line which must ultimately connect Auckland with the interior, the terra incognita now known as the "King Country," and with the principal ports in the North Island, has been taken to-day under the most gratifying andauspiciouscircumstances,and there is no doubt we have mainly to thank Sir George Grey for the early commencement of the work. There are others who have assisted, but on such an occasion as this we need only refer to the chief amongst the friends of Thames, who has placed the community under a further obligation by coming down to turn the first sod—no doubt at the sacrifice of personal comfort and convenience. This day will hare to be marked with a white stone as being the most important in its checkered history, and the undertaking will undoubtedly associate Sir George Grey's name with it for all time.