TE AWAMUTU. The Railway Extension.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1247, 26 June 1880, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU. The Railway Extension.

At a meeting of the Te Awarautu Railway Celebration Committee, held in Devin's hotel on Wednesday evening last, the following members were present, viz. : — Messrs Ciuimnghivu) (chanman), Winstone, Rutherford, MoncriefF, Sloane, Farrell, Walton, Wainwright, Westney, and Parsons. Mr Wainwrighi, as one of the gentlemen appointed at the last meeting to wait upon the members of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association regarding the sum of £26, the surplus of that institution, stated that he obtained the sanction of its members to the money being spent in connection with their railway celebration ; but that the conditions attached to the distribution of the grant were that a show of roots and general farm produce should be held. This would of course necessitate the giving of prizes to the successful exhibitors to the extent at least of half the money, which would then leave £13 to go to the general fund of the celebration. He had also, he said, the satisfaction to inform them that Mr G. E. Clark would offer his silver cup, value £5 os, to be competed for at their exhibition on the opening day, for the best sample of turnips grown from seed purchased from himself. The Chairman said he was quite sure the show would form a most agreeable and pleasing item in the programme of the day, and that it would meet with the approval of the settlers generally. Mr Clarkes silver cup, too, would be an additional attraction. A member present recommended that athletic and other foot sports be held on the ground near the exhibition, and that prizes be given for the competitors of the same, should the funds admit of it ; and also that a dance be got up in the hall at 10 o'clock after the. entertainment, while another gentleman suggested that the sandwiches on the arrival of the train should be of the very best description, and should consist of first-class hams and prime rounds of well-fatted beef ; the cheese, too, should be the be&t local production of the neighborhood, while the beer should be of choice brew, and in 36 gallon kegs, and be made to flow on freely like a shining river, and not, as he had seen it somewhere, in minute driblets. The meeting promised that everything that could be done to contribute to the amusement of the day should be attended to. The Chairman at this stage said that Mr Lewis had acquainted him that it was impossible for him to give a dinner suitable for such an occasion for ss, but he would undertake to supply it for 10s 6d ; his large and commodious dining-room would, he s-iid, seat 60 comfortably. MiLewis guarantees to supply for that sum choice and well-selected wines, the best malt liquor, superb three dagger or battleaxe, the celebrated red heart 30 o. p. ram, and whiskeys, mild, mellow, or "biting." One gentl»m.m in the room felt sensibly relieved on hearing the announcement of the worthy host of the Ceutral Waikato Hotel that he would have nothing- to do with the 5s dinner. He had suffered a g-ood deal from dy.-jpep'-ia and its loncoraitant traiu of evils since he heard of the miserable .Is touch. He did not like to see the credit of the dibtrlct lowered in that way. He would now take heart and proceed to business by moving;, "That two sub working committees? be formed to carry out tho arrangements and details of the exhibition and dinner : Messrs Cunniagham, bloane, and Walton to be a Reception Committee ; and Messrs Parson«, Westney, and W ainwright to be the members of the Exhibition Committee." The motion was unanimously agreed to. It was decided that the number of invites be limited to 10, with the addition of three Press reporters ; but any gentleman was at liberty to invite a guest through the Committee by giving his name to tbe Secretary, and paying himself for tho cost of his friend' h dinner. The Committee had not received any''ung definite from the Railway Depart- ., nt at this meeting as to the certainty of the opening day ; but the following < • ter since received by the hon. secretary is conclusive and satisfactory that July Ist is the day :— " Sir,— The Ist of July has been fixed for the day of opening the line to Te Awamutu, according- to advice sent me this morning. I am ready. I have submitted to the Cnnniissionpr for Railways that for tho opening- celebration a special train should leave Auckland about 7 a.m., arriving at Te Awamutu about 1 p.m., and leaving again for Auckland aud intermediate stations at 5 p.m. Fares: Return journey at single rate as far as Oluiupo; between which place and Te Awamutu fres. I hope to receive assent in the cour.se of the day, and I will telegraph to you. — Ymns, etc. (signed) A. Y. Macdonald. Railway Department, Auckland, 23id Jun3, 1880."— [Own Correspondent.]