RAILWAY CELEBRATION.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1210, 11 September 1874, Page 2

RAILWAY CELEBRATION.

.As-if to cheer the hearts of AVestportians "and their friends and visitors made despondent by lowering clouds, whistling gales, and comfortless down pour of rain, old Sol shone out brightly on Wednesday morning, and from an early hour the town was alert in preparation for holiday keeping. Bright banting flaunted in the breeze, loads of evergeeqs and ferns, carted hither-and thither, ' betokened that adepts in decorative skill were busy, holiday garbs were donned, living presentments of elegant extracts from the latest book of fashions promenaded 1 lie. rudimentary macadamite of Palmerston street, conveyances well freighted with passengers rolled to and fro, visitors from the country.kept,dropping in by twos and threes, by dozens, and by twenties, and with their town friends were all ajog for pleasure seeking. Many were the preliminary cups of friendship quaffed and hearty the congratulations. Westport at last had cause for rejoicing. The long talked off, long striven for, railway line had been commenced, the navvies were at work giving ocular demonstration of the fact and it was meet that Westport should be jubilant. Wending their way to Upper Palmerston street the good folks waited in expectancy for the first event of the day, and about noon tho strains of music were "heard, and, in brilliant uniform and martial array, the Westport Brass Band .marched up the street heading a procession of civic and legislative dignitaries, burgesses, and non-burgess'es; of free and independent electors, their wives, children, sweethearts, friends, and countrymen. Marching onward to the spot where the line will cross Palmerston street the conventional ceremony of turning the sod was performed amid loud acclamation. It matters little who did it or what was said thereafter. Few men were present who could not justly lay claim to having to the full extent of their power and opportunities, by the exercise of such individual influence as they possessed, by contributions from their purses and by unwearying pertinacity, urged on, year after year, the consummation of the event they had met to celebrate. So, in the fullness of their satisfaction, they little recked who claimed the greater meed of honor, nor need it be recorded. This part of the programme fulfilled, the band again discoursing excellent music, the concourse, which had by this time swelled to at least six hundred souls, marched back to Wakefield street, where on the wharf an alfresco spread awaited them. The wharf, which made a splendid platform for the occasion, was roped in, swept, and garnished, and gaily bedecked overhead, with bunting, the shipping alongside also wearing holiday colours. Tales wore spread with viands, substantial and inviting, nut brown ale was on tap for all who felt drouthy, while in an adjacent building lighter viands aucl comestibles were spread in tempting array, and all who chose to partake were heartily welcome. A. grand attack was made upon the spread, flank movements executed in gallant style towards the beer casks, retrograde manoeuvres towards.the piies of fruit. Tho infantry wore iu full force, alert and ready, and the plungers seemed never to, forget that each man that day should do his duty—to himself first and to friends thereafter. The triumphs of tho caterers skill were attacked and demolished, and the good things of life enjoyed with a zest that never fails the British holidaykeeper. After awhile tho crowd thinned oil* to rest awhile and prepare for coming evening pleasures. There was no lack of choice or variety in this respect. A banquet at Gilmer's Hotel occupied the early part of the evening, and a ball and supper at the Empire carried on tho amusement, blithely till far into the small hours of the morning. The banquet, improvised at short notice, was a decided success, and fully sustained the credit of enterprising Host Gilmer for doing all things well pertaining to good cheer and creature comfort. The lono; dining hall and adjacent parlor of the establishment had been made one spacious room, and was decorated with flags, evergreens, and ferns artistically blended. The tables were spread with a profusion that surprised while it gratified the guests. The olirf da cuisine had fairly excelled himself and won new honors. Every delicacy of the season was there, every triumph of Hie culinary art, and wines of choicest vintage. Tho chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor, the vice-chair by Mr Munro, tho legal interest was represented by Messrs Fisher and Pitt, the banking by Messrs Andrews, Kerr, and Smith ; public works by Mr Jno. M'Lean ; commerce by Messrs Field, Rowlands, Barkley, Why to, Horn, Cross, Patterson; Stitt, Barllemy, C.olyin, and Other's j mining by Messrs

Leslie, Wilson, Riding, Bossard, and others; Visitors by Messrs .Dwan, Delany, Waudrum, and some whose faces were more familiar than their names. Covers had been laid for forty guests, and none were absent. After the removal of the cloth, the Chairman intimated that on this occasion brevity would bo considered the soul of wit, that the toasts to bo drank would be limited, so that those on further pleasure bent might hie away to the ball at an earlv hour. The preliminary toasts of the " Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Poyal Family," " The Governor, both Houses of Parliament, and the Provincial Council," having been disposed of, the toast of "The Mayor and the Corporation of Westport" received due response from the Mayor in propria persona, and from Cr Stitfc. The toast of the evening, " Westport and Mount Roclifort Railway," fell to the lot of Mr John M'Lcan, the railway contractor, and who gladdened the hearts of his hearers by avowing his intention, if good fortune favored, to complete his present undertaking within six months from date. The " Commercial interests of Westport " received justice from Messrs Field and Whyte, the " Mining interest" was well entrusted to Mr William Hiding. ''Visiting friends" drew hearty acknowledgement from Messrs T. Dwan, Wilson, Waiulrum, and Delaucy ; the gallant Tom leading off with a side-splitting speech, of which " don't blow " was the ever recurring refrain —a subject congenial to the humorous fancy of the speaker. " The Ladies " found in Mr Smith, of the Bank of New Zealand, a most able champion. " The Host " spoke , for himself and spoke well; " The Press," " Tho Chairman," and " The ViceChairman," were all acknowledged. A resume of the speeches made need not be attempted. The one prevailing sentiment was peace and good will to all men, dobateablc ground was untrodden, and politics carefully eschewed. The gratification of being able to meet to celebrate the commencement of Westport prosperity was the one sufficient bond of union. It is doubtful if ever in the annals of Westport can be found record of hours that more happily sped away than at the Railway Celebration Banquet. The festivities were brought to a close about 11 p.m., and the majority of the company then hasted to the ball.

The bail at the Masonic will be an event not soon forgotten. The Committee who had taken charge of this portion of the programme, ably seconded by host Hughes, had secured a triumph. The capabilities of the Hall, and indeed of the whole range of rooms in the hotel, were taxed to the utmost; to accommodate the throng of guests. The Hall was a blaze of light, of tasteful decoration, glowing- colors, fair forms, brilliant robes, and faces beaming with pleasure. The music, excellently well sustained, excited the twinkling of many feet that seldom step a measure. The ladies were radiant in attractiveness, and their cavaliers sana reproclie in attention. Tliiarrangements made for the convenience of guests were well devised and as carefully carried out, A covered and well lighted way extended from the Hull to the main staircase o( the hotel, leading- to the retiring- apartments, and the King room on the ground floor was transformed into an elegant and well appointed supper saloon. Of the spiead on the table mere words will hardly convey a just conception. The infinite variety of viands was only excelled by the artistic skill with which they wero displayed. The cuisinerie was perfect, the tout ensemble complete. In the minor details of arrangement throughout the establishment, the comfort of tlie guests was studiously considered. It need hardly be said that dancing., commencing about 10 p.m. was kept up with unabated vigor until the near approaching- dawn, and that the merry-makers retired but to dream again of their unalloyed enjoyment. •Well earned thanks are justly due to the Committee of management, Messrs Roche, Munson, Bailie, C'orr, Hughes, Clark, Simpson, Siaioh, Organ, and their numerous confreres not forgetting the indefatigable Secretaiy Mr T. Watson—for the pleasurable associations of the celebration.