THE ACTING-PREMIER'S VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2582, 17 August 1909, Page 7

THE ACTING-PREMIER'S VISIT.

EXCURSION TO RAILWAY TERMINUS. A VERY PLEASANT OUTING. {By Our Special Reporter.) Those fortunate individuals who Fore honored with invitations fob the railway excursion yesterday-were unanimous in their praise of the trip, for it was simply delightful from beginning to end. The project of running up the line with the Acting-Premier and a lew friends as far as the present terminus was only conceived late on Saturday night, and on Sunday the telephone wires were kept sizzling hot with the numerous invitations which were being ’phoned by those responsible for the arrangements. The party thus got together ultimately totalled close on 80, comprising members of local bodies, prominent citizens and their lady friends. As Captain Tucker remarked in his speech at Waihuka, the only regret in connection with the function was that there- could not have been ten times the number present to enjoy such a delightful jaunt into the country. The train, consisting of four carriages, left town at a quarter to twelve and, with few stoppages, rapidly made its* way through' the magnificent flats that astound the casual visitor to Poverty Bay. Even the old hands were impelled to wondering admiration of the beautious scene which met their gaze from the carriage windows, for in the vivid green of abundant pastures dotted freely with cattle and sheep that grazed contentedly in the sun, they witnessed a scene which could scarcely be excelled, if it could he equalled, in. any part of the world during the winter season. All kinds of stock were in first-class condition, a welcome proof of the leniency of the. past few months. The day was exceptionally mild, and cute little lambs gambolled in the meadows, apparently in the height of glee. Evidently the season’s increase of flocks will be substantial enough to satisfy the most mercenary, for twins were exceedingly common in the paddocks that were passed. Except for the bareness of deciduous trees, it would have been difficult to believe that the day belonged to the winter season, but if the willows and poplars appeared somewhat dejected, the landscape was fully recompensed by the brilliant coloring’of the evergreen native trees which, fortunately, are still quite common on the flats. On all 6ides contentment reigned, even to the merry little sucking pig which, nearly frightened out of its life by the approach of the train, dashed across the road to join the rest of the baker’s dozen which represented his proud mother’s progeny. Indeed, the “puffing Billy” which took so prominent a part in the picnic struck the only discordant note in as charming and peaceful a scene as ever gratified • the eyes of man. Knots of sheep scattered in dismay as we passed along, the dams rushing smartly to aid their bleating offspring, horses galloped away, pigs grunted, and two big curly-haired bulls, with massive 'necks, disdaining to fly, glared morosely; all protesting in their ■own way against our unwarrantable intrusion. Even to the tops of the highest hills the welcome pasture grew in abundance, and stock could be seen dotting the hills from the foot to summit. It was truly a remarkable pastoral scene, and one that might with propriety and advantage be embodied in the first kinematograph scenes of pictures ‘which attempt to make known the appearance of Poverty Bay for the edification of those who have hitherto been debarred from the pleasure of witnessing it. Waikohu, the present official terminus, was reached in good time, after which the train moved more slowly up towards the Waihuka tunnel, not quite three miles further on. The tunnel is now complete, but a stream still remains to be bridged before it can be used for general railway purposes, although a temporary structure over the gully enables ballast waggons to cross. They are then able to pass through the tunnel, and travel along the line for another mil© and a-half. On arrival at the Waihuka tunnel a first-class luncheon was laid out, much to the appreciation of the passengers, whose townjaded palates had been considerably stimulated by the freshness of the country air. The commissariat had been as well attended to as all the other arrangements and, despite the fact that the number to he provided for had exceeded the original estimate in the way that will always happen with gratis functions, there was ample for all. The meal, served in true picnic fashion, was heartily enjoyed, after which a few brief speediest were made, and then the ladies, placed in two waggons drawn by horses, were taken through the tunnel and on to tho actual end of the line. The male folk, it may be added, had the privilege of covering his odd mile and a-half on foot, and the task of hopping from sleeper to sleeper was subsequently pronounced to be an absolute preventative of indigestion. Those who have ever footed it over a railway line will doubtless re " member that by the inevitable cussedness of things in general sleepers are set apart at extremely inconvenient distances for the average pedestrian. If he walks along stepping from one plank to the next his steps are perforce so short that he has to adopt the silly, mincing gait of a high-stepping society girl, while to endeavor to stride two planks at a time is to lose all dignity, and give a ridiculous exhibition, likely to end in' physical disaster.

PRESENT POSITION OF THE LINE. This part of. the line, be it noted, passes along a narrow valley surrounded by hills that evidently furnish capital grazing for stock. Some heavy cutting work has had to be accomplished in order to clear the way for the four mile run which we ,made after leaving Waikohu. The end of oxir run was made at a point where a big gully' has still to be bridged, but excavation and

other preliminary formation, work lias been carried out for several miles further on, Waikohu station is marked at 23} miles from Gisborne ; we stopped at 27} miles. Formation work has been done up'to 31 miles, and it is on a. section just beyond this that Mr. Armstrong has most of his army of 480 cooperative laborers employed. At 32 miles the huge gully that is to be crossed by the Otoko viaduct stands as a big bug-bear to further progress. The Otoko station is situated on the other side of the viaduct, and already some work has been done beyond that point. In a few days Mr. Armstrong will forsake his present quarters at To Karaka and will move with'liis family to Otoko, and make this his homo for the next year or two. ‘ At present this locality—although Mr. Armstrong declares it to be charming—must inevitably be a lonely outpost, but soon it will be the centre of operations, and in the future it will inevitably rank as an important stage in the progress of a great undertaking. The line will bo complete as far as the viaduct before very long, but then the big gully will represent a serious block to progress. Therefore, it is interesting to note that the plans for the structure are already completed ; and there is not likely to be. any undue delay in. its construction. The Public Works Department may carry out the whole of the undertaking; jv certainly will do the foundation work, but it is possible, though likely, that the erection of the? structure, whien is to ho of steel, may be let on contract. In chatting with Mr. Armstrong over these matters, I found him in excellent spirits over the progress he had been able to make as a result of the exceptionally favorable weather that has been experienced during the winter months. As to his experience with the unemployed who had been drafted on to his works during tho last few months, lie stated that some had proved very satisfactory, and others were indifferent. In the case of the latter he had placed all the less competent men in special gangs, where they would not interfere with the earning power of the experienced hands. THE RETURN JOURNEY.

When all that could be seen had been seen, a start for homo was made. The ladies still persisted in monopolising the ballast waggons, whilst mere man had, in the manner of 20th century traditions, to trudge behind. However, there was at the Waihuka tunnel some compensation in the fact that in respect of the liquids which accompanied the excellent refreshments provided, the ladies were restricted to tea, and the men were not. Thus reinforced, the party entered the train, and precisely at four o’clock steamed for Gisborne. A few brief stoppages took place, and town was reached at about 6.30. As the passengers left the train, Mr. C. H. Ambridge,performed a courteous and graceful act by giving to those who had participated in the excursion an opportunity to express their appreciation of the wisdom and thoughtfulness of those who had arranged it. Ho called for three cheers for the local bodies concerned, and these were given in a manner sufficiently lusty to provide ample jiroof of their sincerity. It is proper to add that the arrangements for the gathering were remarkably good, and this is all the more creditable when tho short time at the disposal of the promoters is taken into consideration. The Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lvsnar) and Air. John Tmvnley were amongst those who seemed particularly conspicuous for their attention to the guests. Mr. H. J. Day, District TrafficManager. handled the railway portion of the programme, so that no hitch or uncomfortable waits took place, and the gathering from first to last was completely successful. THE SPEECHES.

Just after lunch had been partaken of at Waihuka tunnel, His Worship the Mayor mounted a plank and announced that he desired' those present to honor the toast of the ActingPremier. Firstly, however, he desired to explain that the excursion had been arranged conjointly by the Harbor Board, Borough Council, and the Cook County Council, whilst the Government had supplied a free train for the occasion. 'He would have been glad to have seen a much larger gathering, but it was impossible to extend the invitations further than had been done, simply because the accommodation was limited to the capacity of the four carriages which Mr. Day had been able to supply. They were honored by having the Acting-Prime Minister with them, and they were still more honored in that that official was their own representative in Parliament. He said they had a great deal to thank the Government for in the vigorous manner in which it was prosecuting the work of constructing the railway. He trusted that while the Hon. Mr. Carroll held his present office he would continue to push on the railway, and would keep on at least the 500 men now employed, if not more. His Worship, concluded by congratulating the district upon the fact that its member had had the important position of Acting-Premier bestowed upon him. (Applause.) Mr. John Townley remarked that ho had attended many gatherings in Poverty Bay, but never before bad he travelled so far in the district in a train. (Laughter.) He hoped the work would be kept at full speed ahead till the Motu was’ reached, for ho looked forward to. the time when they would be able to run up from Gisborne to the Motu, enjoy a few hours there, and return to town the same day. (Applause.) The undertaking was undoubtedly a difficult one, for they must not forget that Gisborne’s railway was not being constructed through country which contained plenty of metalled roads for carrying material and so forth. He would like to urge upon Mr. Carroll that all possible speed should be made with the construction of the viaduct, and then they could get, at least, to Rakauroa. Captain Tucker, Cliarman of the Cook County Council, reminded those present that when Sir Joseph Ward had been opening a section of the line lie had been asked to put at least 200 men. on the work. Sir Joseph had promised that) he would, and they could see how he had more than iulfilled his promise. He joined with those who had expressed the feeling that the district had been honored by the appointment of the Hon. Mr. Carroll to the ActingPremiership. ~ The Hon. J. Carroll, Acting-Premier, thanked his hearers for the hearty manner in which the toast of his health had beem received. He was very grateful for the kind things that had been said in respect of his efforts in endeavoring to push on tho railway, but in regard to the inception of th© railway he did not care to take more than the ordinary share of having been one to help with others in advocating its claims. The credit of the pioneering work in regard to the railway rested on the shoulders of the Railway League and other bodies, with such gentlemen as Messrs deLautour, Townley, Whinray, Rees, and others, whose names for the moment escaped his memory. These men had.,always*stood beside, him, and had always urged upon him the importance of keeping the claims of tlie Gishorne-Motu line to the front. In

regard to the work now being so stf ominously pushed forward, he-could not do bettor than echo the words of his late colleague, the Hon. Mr.' McNab, who had declared that tho .line would add another province' to the Dominion. (Applause.) He believed his hearers ■ would realise that the line was now within measurable distance of Rakauroa 'and that practically meant the Motu Valley. They were now within five miles of the viaduct, and that represented an obstacle to be overcome. The viaduct would be of steel construction, and tho material would have to come from England. However, in the meantime line construction would ho pushed on on both sides of Otoko. He was particularly glad to seo the ladies present, for the fair sex invariably provided inspiration to any big undertaking. In conclusion, ho sincerely thanked all present for the kindly manner in which they had received liis toast. The Acting-Premier’s remarks were concluded amidst hearty cheering. THE CONGRATULATORY SOCIAL. The social to bo tendered to tlio Hon. J. Carroll at the Garrison Hall to-niglit in recognition of his having been appointed to the position of Acting-Pre-mier of tho Dominion, is expected to be a highly successful function. It is to begin at 8 p.m. The music for the dancing, which is to occupy the major part of the evening, will h© ’supplied by the City Band and Mr. Wootton’s orchestra will play the music for tho extras. At 10.30 p.m. a complimentary testimonial will h© presented to Mr Carroll, and short addresses will he delivered by tho Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), Hon. Capt. Tucker (Chairman of Cook County Council), and Mr J. Townley (Chairman of the Harbor Board). The catering for the refreshments has been entrusted to Mr. Wootton.