THAMES-WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1069, 1 May 1879, Page 2

THAMES-WAIKATO RAILWAY.

TURNING THE FIRST SOD

To-bay the ceremony which has been anxiously looked forward to, when Sir George Grey will turn the 'first sod of the Thames- Waikato Railway, at this end of the line, comes off on that portion of the work which passes through the grass paddock near the residence on Mr Claude's farm, at East Hamilton.

Sir George Grey and the hon. Mr. Shee,han left Auckland yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock by spocial train, arriving m the evening at Ngarawahia where they remained tor the night. From thence they proceed to Hamilton early this morning, and will be met by the Acting Mayor, the Councillors of the borough and the reception committee at the Hamilton station at 10.30, a.m. The' ceremony, of turning •will take place at 11.30, and at 12,30 a public banquet will be given ,to Ministers at Pearces' Commercial Hotel, at which both ladies and gentlemen will be present. There will probably be but little speecbmaking on this occasion, as the hour for perforraiug the ceremony, orignally intended to take place m the afternoon, has, late last night been fixed for an earlier hour m the day, m deference to the wish of Ministers who are bound to be m Alexandra the same clay.

All suitable arrangements have been made by the committee for ! ensuring the successful carrying out of the undertaking- A fine level grass spot has been chosen, and a piece of ground about two chains m length roped ofl, inside which the ceremony will t.ike place. The children . of the Hamilton school will meet on the ground, and take ,up their position ,inside the ropes, the general assemblage standing outside. An address will be presented by the Acting Mayor, Richard Gwyn::e, Esq., and replied, to by Sir George Grey The barrow and spade . have been specially provided by Mr I. JR. Vialou. No doubt, if the day prove fine the occasion will be made the opportunity for a. general holiday, and very many besides those of Hamilton will be present. The construction of a lailway between the Thames and Waikato has been a matter of many years expec T tation and hope, and the ceremony which symbolises the actual commencement of the work, is one which cannot but be singularly interesting to this community.