OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO EKETAHUNA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3175, 9 April 1889, Page 2

OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO EKETAHUNA.

The opening of the line to Eketabuna on Monday was a red letter day for that nourishing little township. The weather was delightful and hundreds of excursionists consequently took advantage of the ordinary and special trains to visit the scene of festivities. The 12 o'clock through train conveyed about 800 Tisitoi'B, whilst the" special" which arrived at Masterton balf-an-hour later had on board quite 400 more. Extra carriages were here put on, of which quite another hundred excur. sionists took possession, After a smooth run, the train reached Eketahuna a littlo before 2 p.m., whero it was met by im eager crowd of sightseers. The station and various railway sheds, trucks, &c, were gaily decorated with evergreens and bunt, fag. The engine connected with the " speoial" also came in for a share of the decorations. The attendance of

visitors must have exceeded a i thousand, and had the railway : authorities been a little more moderate ! in their charges, this number would have been nearly doubled. The reception lacked the usual amount of celebrations of this nature. There was- a great crowd of settlers gathered together and an excellent band -of music but no formal reception took place. After leaving the station everyone made off in the direction of Parsons' Hotel. Here it was rumored the speeclifying would take place. Color was given to this on account of seeing a large number of leading Bettlera walking in procession in the same direction. Arriving in the vicinity of the ball, whioh adjoins the hotel, a number of persons wearing rosettes were to be seen busily engaged forming a hollow square, This being accomplished another pause ensued, which was eventually broken by the worthy Mayor of Masterton breaking through theranks and making for the luncheon '■ room. On being called back .ho retorted " not for the world," and boldly steered for the door. Many others followed in his footsteps, but did not meet with the same success. The tickets being demanded, only those bearing Mr Danaher's signature were allowed .to pass. This caused a howl of indignation from , the holders of the rejected tickets.

Fortunately, the greater portion of the leading visitors had been recipients of Mr Danaher's as well as the local committee's invites, otherwise a scene of considerable confusion would probably have ensued. This unexpected turn of affairs completely nonplussed tho local committee, who comprised tho leading settlers of the district. From what could bo gathered in the confusion it appears arrange- , monts had been made on Saturday night through Messrs Duthie and Menteath, who acted on behall of Mr Danaher, to amalgamate the two , luncheons. This arrangement Mr Danaher repudiated at the last , moment, when it was 100 late for the local committee to make other pro- , vision for the entertainment of . visitors. Considerable feeling was manifested at what was stigmatised fa 8 exceedingly shabby treatment on , the part of Mr Danaher. Ihe coinr mittee being nnablo to do anyj thing in the matter, those holding , the latter's tickots had to make shift , for themselves. This was a very } difficult matter, as the accommodation ' olsewhero was quite inadequate to , meet the consequent great demand, and many failed to obtain any refreshment whatever,

Till! MJNCUEON was patronised by fully 200 persons. The spread was of exooptional ouality, elaborately arranged and reflected tho highest possible credit on Host Parsons and his assistants. Amongst thoso who sat down we noticed the Hons. Mitchelson and Eichard6on, members of the Ministry; Sir William Fitzherbert, Hon. Riohardson, M.L.C.; Commissioners MoKerrow and Hamiay; Railway Engineers, Messrs Blair, Conuell, and Luff; Railway Officials, Messrs Dawson and Battio; M.ll.R's, Messrs Buchanan, Fitzhorbert, Monteath, and W, C.Smith; Mr Cooper, Under-Secretary; Mayors J, Duthie and A. W, Keimll. The Wellington ■ Manawatu Railway Company were represented bv Messrs Wallace, Fulton, and T. K. McDonald; Messrs Stafford (Welling ton), Gillon, Rouse, Marton, W. H. lieetham, and 8. Brown also occupied-positions near the head of the table.

Full justice having been done to the luncheon,' the President, Sir William Fitzherbert, intimated that the first toast he was asked to pro--1 pose, was that of " Her Majesty the Queen." This was right loyally responded to, as was also tho toast o"f "The Prince of Wales and Royal Family." f After a brief interval, Sir William again rose, and in a neat speech alluded to the roasons that had brought so largo an aesomblago together. They were there as guests aud also to wish success to tho further extension of railways in New Zealand. (Applause). To this he was quite prepared to cordially respond, and in looking around and seeing so many faces ho knew, ho was not wrong in his estimation. If they wanted further assurance, what moro could bo required, than tho crowd of peoplo who woro present to greet the arrival of the special train that day. (Cheers). In this instance he justly used tho term "crowd." It would notseema crowd inLondon or other largo cities, but for a place like this, which only tho other day was a denso bush, ho considered they were greeted by a very greatcrotvd. He expressed in no'small degree the extreme pleasure ho felt aftor journeying from the Hull. In addition to seeing the progress every where apparent along the Hue, they had also the gratification of meeting friends and relatives, somo of whom hadalmost'grownoutof remembrance, Suchgreetings werealmost emotional, Whattbeyhad witnessed thatdaywas similar to the child emerging from the cradle. Hore was a wilderness opened where but a short tinio since it was almost impossible to crawl, along. Tho present was a contrast' when compared with the mode of travelling years ago. For ibis they should be filled with admiration and gratitude to those who had been instrumental in bringing such" a > satisfactory state of affairs about. In toasting success to railway extension ■ in New Zealand, he would couplo the i iiame of the Minister of Public Works, tho Hon Mr Mitchelson. i (Loud cheers.) , I

The Hon Mr Mitchelson expressed the satisfaction it gave him in rising to reply to the toast. Ho, with the last speaker, could also endorse the great pleasure he had experienced in travelling from Wellington to Ekttehuua. He- apologised fori the unavoidable absence of thoi Premier,- who cSuW cot leavs ftton.l

Mitchelson alluded to the Chairman as being one of the pioneers of the Colony, ami also one of the pioneers of the Wellington-Eketahuna railway (Applause). - When this country was fairly opened. up,' ho felt convinced • good prospects were in store for those x who had possessed the energy aud % perseverance- to settle here. There was no disguising the fact that those people who took up land : in the Forty Mile Bush knew what they were about. He regretted provision had not been made on the estimates to connect this line of railway with Woodville. 'ibis line in the future would be one of the most profitable railway lines in thecolony. (Applause) Those who .had not travelled thie far were ignoi ant of <■&' quality of the land. His visit Rat day had surprised, him, and he trusted before long to see the railway line completed to Woodville. (Loud and continued applause).

Mr A. U.Bmith.M.H.B,, proposed the Bailway .Commissioners, coupled i with tho name of Mr McKerrow, In loing so, it was, bis pleasing duty,.as member for tho dietriot,' to give a hearty weloome to'their Chairman, (Sir William Fitzherbert), the members of the Ministry, .Railway Commissioners, and all visitors who had assembled. On behalf of the settlers . ho welcomed them all there that dayfl and hoped it would not be the last occasion. (Cheers). He viewed with pleasure tbe presence of Messrs McKerrow and Hanuey at the open* ing. ceremony. .'They; with Mr Maxwell, had now takto charge of the'railways, and the public looked to them in the future to still further the rapid strides of railway extension throughout the : Colony. He, with the Commissioners hoped the line would, at no distant date, be extended to Woodville. (Applause). But a short time ago Ekotahuna was a dense bush. The success of. settlement and the signs of progress and prosperity which had been witnessed that day was a credit to those who had come and settled here. Ho regretted very much the unavoidable absence of Mr George Beetham, the former representative of this district.. To him aud Mr Buchanan the Wairarapa was greatly indebted for the services tbey bad rendered to those' districts, and also Eketahiuu., In, or out of Parliament, they were always readv to push the claims of these distill* ahead, lie (Mr Smith) hadalwayP been willing to assist them.' Person-

ally be would help to further extend the lino of railway to Woodville by giving his support to any Government who would carry this out. (Applause) To those settlers located in the Bush, it would bo an immense advantage, as it would enatle thorn to send their produce through to Wellington, the principal port in the North Island. Verylittle seemed to be known outside, of the excellent qualities of the country in the Forty Mile Bush. Last session he had repeated applica' tions from settlers in Canterbury with reference to the land in the Bush. This land was being settled rapidly, and in a very short time it would be a thiokly populated district. In conclusion, he trusted the line opened that day would prove of considerable advantage, to Eketahuna, The health of the Commissioner!! was then drank, with oheo:s. Mr McKerrow, Chief Commissioned on behalf of himself and colldagfw responded. As they were all the Commissioners In their official capacity they 6ii«cci*ei/ desirod to aot in thorough concert with the settlors,. It gave tliem great pleasure that day to connect such an important link as Eketahuna. (Ap-

plause). Between Woodville and Eketahuna, a distance of 27 milea, they now had a grand road on which to convey their .produce.' Tho settlers had also good roads open on the eastern 6ido of Eketahuna in the Alfredton district, Then again; on the western side, now settlements were springing up, All these tended to make Eketahuna a most important centre, In alluding to the bush country, Mr MoKerrow stated that in the Mangahao Valley, about four miles from Eketahuna, there was situated one of tho finest totara fjrests to be found in the colony. Ho trusted precautions would ho taken to utilise this splendid timber instead of wantonly destroying it by fire. Boiug within easy reaoh of the railway line its timber was invaluable. Again thanking them, Mr McKeriw sat down amidst a perfect stonnW applause. T His Worship the Mayor of Wellington, Mr John Duthie, was then called upon to wish success to the railway contractor, Mr DanWier, In responding, His Worship sAj considered this the toast of tlie\ay. (Loud applause.) fle spoko in the highest terms of tho faithful manner in which Mr Danaher had carried out, under the most trying circumstances, one of the most laborous sections of railway formation in New Zealand. What with exceptionally wot seasons and other difficulties over which the contractor bad no control, it was a wonder to him how the work had been carried out. Many a strong heart would have broken down under the strain. It must bo gratifying for him to hear aftor so many adversities, such high oompliments as had been passed upon the oomplelion of tho line • to-day. They had been told how smoothly the carriages ran along tho lino, and this was boroe out by tho experience of everyone who came up, This was all tho more creditaHa-pn account of Mr Dcnahei\''beijpf colonial, _ All theoxporionce attained in railway contracting was pioketl up in the colony. (Cheers.) He was sure colonials would foel proud to hear of tho successful manner in which the contractor had earned through his undertaking. (Applause.) They could not help but recognise in MrDanalioragood contractor, and tho in which ho had propareUw luncheon and brought the guests < together was only typioal of a true and generous nature, which could only be found in men of Mr Danaher's disposition.

This toast was received with vociferous cheoring, the assomblage ' joining in singing "For he's a jolly good fellow," Mr Danaber, who was greeted with cheers on stepping forward stated that if ever he had been in a fix in bis life, howaß in a serious one now. It was impossible for bim to attempt to reply in a nmniwjie would like to do, after hearinlfbo expression of hind words and fdm that had fallen from the lips of the speakers that afternoon, As bis guests be was heartily glad to see so many kind faces come a distance to congratulate him on the completion' of his work, It bad, indeed beon-a ■< most laborous work, and if over he had an anxious time, it was whilst carrying-on this contract. The work was one of the largest he had em-engaged iu,Tlwßpread be had provided was offered uutbY jnost - mm tjntotor Hflttoft ty

wonld have hkod lo have seen mow present, but the hall accomodation would not admit of this. H g would like to mention that it was only sinco his arrival by train that ho was made 8 ware his luncheon \va3 to admit tho «.iblio. On account of the sizo of le building this was impossible, and n was his bounden duty to provide for the 150 ho had previously invited. Referring to his contraot, he trusted tho Government would be satisfied. If thoy wers ho had done his duty, and he felt grateful, He was delighted to see so many present and pleased to say " the victory's won." (Loud olioei'ing). The Mayor of Masterton, Mr A. W, Eenall, said an unexpected honor . had fin to his lot. When ho came as a guest he did not expect to be called upon to tako any prominent part in the proceedings, but they all knew at times how he was forced to open his mouth. Thoy must all admit that New Zealand engineering was a most difficult task. lie know

>little of them, and he hoped thoy knew much about him. (Laughter). 3> Engineering was very bard and ho had much pleasure in proposing the health of the Engineor-in-Chief, Mr Blair, couplod with tho names of his assistants. (Applaueo). £ Mr Blair, on rising, was londly W&plauded. Ho considered it really bad of Mr Danaher to treat them so liberally and than call upon his gnests to make speeches. He did not expect that to be included in tho programme Nowadays, it was usual to open short sections, and it was equally advisable to make short speeches (Laughter), lie thanked them most heartily for tho kind way they had received tho toast, If there was any credit due to the Doparttuont for the success attained ou this section, it should be passed on to Mr Connell and his assistant, Mr Luff. So far as he was aware, everythinghad run smoothly, and thoy were well atijfnl with tha nnnner in which the contractor had fulfilled bis obligations to the Department. He endorsed all that had boen said by the Mayor of Wellington, When , a con.raetoftakos pride in his work 1 there is veryhttlo trouble required * on tho part of tnoso in authority. He congratulated the settlers on the

completion of the lino to Eketahuna. Willi such a fine country the Go- « eminent would' receive a largo otura. (Applause.) Tim Major oC Masterton said he was again taken by surprise, but Inwas equally gratified in proposing llio toast of the worthy chairman, Sir William Fitzherberl. (Cheers.) In tho course of his remarks lie alluded to the fad that the Chairman and himself had met togother on public platforms lor over firty years. They were two of the first members elected to the Provincial Council, In politics they had often differed but when they met on other occasions party feelings were laid aside. It gave him great pleasure to again meet his old friend on such a conspionous occasion. [Applause] He briefly referred to the re. mmisconces of early days, when roads and bridgoi wore unknown. Ho concluded by wishing Sir William every happiness and hoped he would live long to enjoy the pleasure he so richly deserved. [Cheers.] mk Sir William feelingly reciprocated jßpjie latter's sentiments. Tho day had tt been a surprise to him, The sensational incidents that had occurred, if taken dowL would have been sufficient to make the Lrtunes of some of tho penny dreadfuls. When he left tho Unit that morning he had no idea of the Burprisos in store for him. He was thoroughly taken aback whon', on 'silting d:wn, he hod placed in his hands a mtm embodying such an excellent spread. The bill of faro was artistically got up, and the general arrangement did credit to the printer. Had it not been for the assistance of the Mayor of Wellington, as far as tho luncheon was concerned, he believed he would, as in tho old days, have boen stuck in the mud. He had thoroughly onjoyed the capital speochos that had been made and congratulated all concerned on the success attained. Mr Kenall and himself had often met beforo. Although, as he stated, they had occasionally crossed swords, whon they mot each other it was always in a friendly tepirit. So would it ever be in British tlooiety. If you differed, you were always allowed a fair ring and no favor. Sir William conoludcd by stating he would ever recoiled the many expressions of good feeling he jgfiie had residod in tho colony. (Loud [ Tho assemblage then dispersed.