FIRST SOD TURNED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3436, 30 January 1912, Page 5

FIRST SOD TURNED.

IN NAPIER-BISBORNE RAILWAY. PERFORMED BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. WILL BE RUSHED ON IN REAL EARNEST. [Pit* PRESS ASSOCIATION. 3 NAPIER, Jan. 29. A memorable event ih the" history ol ■Hawke’s Bay took place at West Shore, when this afternoon in the presence of about 4000 people, the first eod of the Napier-Gisborne railway was turned by the Prime Minjistetr (the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward). The town was profusely decorated for the occasion, most of the business places and many private residences displaying bunting, while streamers were stretched across the principal streets, and at intervals along the entire line of route. Sir Joseph Ward was entertained at luncheon at the Masonic Hotel by the executive of the Citizen’s Committee, among those pi*esent being representatives of various local bodies throughout Hawke’s Bay. ’ Immediately after luncheon the procession started for the scene of the ceremony, a little over three miles from Napier Post Office, headed by three bands. The route was lined with eager spectators, and as the principal participants in the procession passed by, they were frequently cheered and saluted. The scene at West-Shore was an extremely gay one, the inner harbor beach being lined with over sixty yachts, with sails set and hunting flying. On arriving at the spot chosen for the ceremony, the Mayor (Mr J. Vigor Brown, M.P.), presented Sir Jos. Ward, who was accompanied by Lady Ward, with a silver mounted spade. The Prime Minister then turned the first sod of the railway, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of” the assembled crowd. In his speech Sir Joseph Ward said that work in the construction of the line would be commenced in real earnest within, the next few days.

GISBORNE PEOPLE WANT SIMILAR FUNCTION. “WILL NEVER REST TILL GET IT,” SAYS MAYOR PETTIE. [special to Times.! NAPIER, Jan. 29. The ceremony of turning the first sod at the Napier end of the East Coast railway was performed to-day by Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister) amidst unbounded enthusiasm. The town was decorated with flags, etc., and every business place in the city was closed from noon. Over five thousand people were present at the function, which was held three miles from the centre of the town. The procession from the Council Chambers was nearly a mile long. Luncheon was given by Mr Frank Muller at the Masonic Hotel, to the visitors and leading local business and professional men. Sir Joseph Ward was presented with a silver spade 21 inches long, and Lady Ward with a £SO bracelet.

In the course of his speech Sir Jos. Ward’ announced that work would be commenced within the next ten days. He went into the route question in an exhaustive manner, and stated that the one chosen was practically the unanimous recommendation of three engineers, and he personally thought the undertaking would ,be a profitable one, and would add considerably to the resources of two very prosperous districts and prove an asset to the Dominion. He looked forward to the linking up of Napier and Gisborne with Auckland as a natural ending of the work commenced by the turning of the first sod that day. All the speakers agreed that the event was the most important in the history of the East Coast. Several other prominent men spoke, including Mr W. Pettie and Mr J. R. Kirk, of Gisborne.

Mr Pettie said it afforded him much pleasure indeed to be representative ol the Gisborne Borough Council at such an important function, but he was sorry Sir Jas. Carroll was unable xo be present owing to the pressure of public duties. He felt sure the people of Gisborne would join hands with Napier residents in congratulating themselves that this important undertaking had been commenced, and in wishing the carrying out of the work with despatch. He gave great- praise to Mr Vigor Brown, the Mayor and M.P., of Napier, for his share of the work in persuading the Government to make a move with a work of such importance to Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay. Gis_ borne people would 1 not rest until a similar function had been performed at Poverty Bay end, when he hoped to see a large number of Napier people in Gisborne on that occasion, when he thought a real sod with real grass on it could be turned. (Here the ceremony was performed by turning the shingle on the- Petane Read.) (Laughter.) He hoped there would be an immediate and beneficial result from the work, which in his opinion would ■be a great success, and-he was pleased to hear Sir Joseph Ward say the same thing. (Applause.) Mr J. R. Kirk said as the hour was getting late he would not detain the people long. He was sure Gisborne people were almost as pleased that a sod at this end was being turned as if Sir Joseph was performing the ceremony in Poverty Bay. He wished the- undertaking all success, and he knew the people whom he represented were with him in this. The Gisborne people were band in hand with their Napier friends because the railway was for their particular good, as well as the general welfare of the whole Dominion. There wars no question in his mind l that the railway would pay, and he wanted to see it pushed on with all speed. (Applause.)