Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 7 (December 1, 1932)

Driving Last Spike

Driving Last Spike.

The first ceremony took place in the Heao Valley, where the Ministerial train drew up under rows of bunting at a special platform. The official party included Mr. H. H. Sterling, Chairman of the Government Railways Board; Mr. F. W. Furkert, ex-Public Works Engineer-in-Chief; Mr. C. J. McKenzie, Undersecretary of Public Works; Mr. J. W. Albertson, District Engineer, Taumarunui; and Mr. P. Keller, District Engineer, Stratford, who were both closely connected with the construction work; Mr. P. Thomson, Mayor of Stratford; Mr. C. A. Coles, Mayor of Taumarunui; and a large number of local body and Chamber of Commerce representatives from the districts between Auckland and New Plymouth.

Mr. Forbes was presented with a silver spike by the Mayoress of Stratford and a silver-mounted hammer by the Mayoress of Taumarunui, and there were cheers when he drove it, as well as when Mr. Coates piloted an engine through ribbons stretched across the track.

Everyone was later taken to Tanga-rakau for lunch, the official party being entertained by the Stratford Borough Council.

More speeches were given, and Mr. Coates paid a striking tribute to the engineers of the department who had toiled on the line for so long. He made special mention of Messrs. Albertson, Keller and page 61 Mr. T. Ball, now of Dunedin. Then he came to Mr. Furkert, whom he characterised as a remarkable New Zealander who had earned the respect and confidence of the country during his service which ended last week.

Tangarakau Flat was crowded as the Ministerial carriages left for Stratford, and there were noisy farewells as this, the first through passenger train, drew out.

In the evening a banquet was given by the Borough Council.

More than 400 guests were present at the banquet in the evening, which was one of the biggest gatherings of its kind ever held in Taranaki. Stratford had also declared a holiday on the occasion of the opening of the railway, and it was en fete for the night of the banquet, streets and buildings being illuminated and fireworks displays being given. — (From the “Dominion.”)