With a view to preserving in permanent form a record of the ideas and “atmosphere” associated with the Lyttelton section electrification, we are appending extracts from some of the principal speeches made on the opening day.

On the arrival of the official electric trains at Lyttelton on 14th February an impressive function was held in the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's huge new wool and grain store, where about 800 guests were entertained at afternoon tea, and a number of eulogistic speeches were made.

The Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. B. Taverner, presided, and others seated at the official table were:—The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), Mrs. Taverner, the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr. F. E. Sutton) and Mrs. Sutton, the Mayor of Christ-church (the Rev. J. K. Archer) and Mrs. Archer, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates (Leader of the Opposition), Mr. H. H. Sterling (General Manager of Railways), Mrs. B. B. Wood, Mr. J. E. Strachan (president of the Progress League), Mr. Norton Francis (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M. P., and Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. J. M'Combs, M.P., and Mrs. M'Combs, Mr. R. W. Hawke, M.P., and Mr. J. S. Neville (Town Clerk, Christchurch) and Mrs. Neville.

After the loyal toast had been honoured, the chairman extended a welcome to the guests, and remarked upon the importance of the occasion, not only to the people of Lyttelton and Christchurch, but to the country as a whole.

History of the Railway.

Continuing his speech, the Minister said:—“You have just travelled by the first passenger trains drawn by electric locomotives through one of the best-known and most discussed engineering works in the Dominion, the Moorhouse tunnel, and on the journey you no doubt made comparisons between steam and electric traction.

‘The Christ-church - Lyttelton railway has a long and interesting history. This district was the first in New Zealand to recognise the value of railways as a means of developing the country; and it is due to the enterprise of the early settlers of this province that the first section of railway was opened from Christchurch to Ferrymead in 1863. Until the piercing of the tunnel was accomplished traffic between Christchurch and Lyttelton was carried by means of the river and the Ferrymead-Christchurch railway line. The completion of the line to Lyttelton and the successful accomplishment of the great work of piercing the tunnel enabled through railway communicaton between Lyttelton and Christchurch to be opened on December 1, 1867.

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The Very Early Days.

“On an occasion such as this, one's thoughts naturally turn to those very early days when there was neither rail nor road transport between Port Lyttelton and Christchurch. In that historic letter written by Mr. Wakefield to Governor Sir George Grey mention is made—with no small degree of pride—that a bridle road had been completed from Christchurch to Heath-cote Ferry. At this time the future city consisted of half a dozen houses and some huts.

“Many records exist of the almost insurmountable difficulty which confronted the early settlers in overcoming the barrier which the Port Hills presented, and only their indomitable spirit and the knowledge that immense fertile plains awaited settlement, upheld the pioneers in their arduous task. It is with the greatest possible pleasure that we have to-day with us some who were amongst the first to arrive at Lyttelton. The development of transport facilities from bridle track to road, then to a modern steam railway; and to-day to assist in the celebration of the new electric traction, is indeed a record of which they may justly be proud.

The Gauge.

“It is somewhat interesting to note that while a 5ft. 3in. gauge was adopted for the Lyttelton-Christchurch line, the first lines constructed in Auckland and Otago had the standard English gauge of 4ft. 8½in. Had the construction of railways in New Zealand proceeded piece-meal by the provinces in the fashion it commenced, no doubt New Zealand would have now a variety of railway gauges such as exists in Australia to-day. These gauge troubles, however, were finally solved by the historic Railways Act of 1870, and the 3ft. 6in. gauge was adopted as a standard for the Dominion. At this period forty-seven miles of railway were in operation, of which twenty-nine miles were in Canterbury—the line extending from Selwyn to Lyttelton—and it is worthy of note that even in those early days the progressive spirit of the Canterbury people was evident.

Symbol of Progress.

“The adoption of the progressive railway construction policy materially facilitated the settlement of the inland areas of the Dominion, and I am safe in saying that the railway became the symbol of progressive settlement and contributed largely to the prosperity which followed.

“The venture of the Canterbury Provincial Government in constructing the Lyttelton tunnel and the energy with which they added to their railway system was the first important step in unlocking the rich district of Canterbury; and I am sure we of the present generation must ascribe no small degree to the prosperity of the province to-day to the vision and faith of those sturdy pioneers.

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“During recent years it has become quite evident that to continue working the Christchurch—Lyttelton line by steam traction on a single track was not satisfactory, and in order to overcome the discomforts experienced comprehensive investigations were made in order to arrive at a satisfactory solution of the problem. The growth of the traffic and the necessities of modern standards of travel required that something should be done in order adequately to remove any hindrances from the natural development of Canterbury, and, indeed, of the whole of the South Island. After due consideration, and having regard to the desirability of giving an improved service on this line, it was finally decided to electrify the Lyttellon-Christchurch section, and the work is now an accomplished fact.

“During the last few years the officers of the Department have been interested in assembling information regarding the early history of railroad development of this Dominion, and it has been found that, the material available in regard to that period is at times somewhat scarce. I was very pleased to learn that an early pioneer, Mrs. A. Williams, of Dublin Street, Lyttelton, was able to supply some of the gaps in our knowledge upon matters relating to the opening of this particular line. Mrs. Williams remembers seeing the first engine landed and seeing also how after the vessel that brought it arrived at Lyttelton, her masts were unshipped and she was towed round over the Sumner bar to Heath-cote and the engine landed at Ferrymead. I had much pleasure in sending an invitation to Mrs. Williams to be present at this function to-day, and I trust that after this long span of years she found an equal pleasure in travelling by the first electric train as she did when she made the journey in the first steam train ever run between Christchurch and Lyttelton sixty-one years ago, in the care of Driver Beverley and Guard Penfold.

Traffic Development.

“As affording some idea of the development of traffic since the line was originally opened I may mention that in the first year the number of passengers carried was 123,159, and the total tonnage of goods 50,953 tons; while for the year ending March 31st, 1928, the number of passengers was 1,125,473 and the tonnage of goods 673,446.

“Before concluding, I desire to express my appreciation of the manner in which the electrification has been carried out by the officers and men concerned. A work such as this calls for a high standard of organisation and the satisfactory manner in which the whole installation has been performed reflects the greatest credit on those concerned.

“I have no doubt that from now on the cessation of the discomforts of the long tunnel trip and the provision of a faster and improved service will materially assist in the further development of the province, and incidentally the Railway Department. The service which the Railway Department is now in a position to provide on this section is amply adequate for the passenger and goods requirements of the district for many years to come.

“I am extremely pleased with the response to the invitations which it was my pleasure to have sent out to the early pioneers and men and women who have assisted well and truly to lay the foundations upon which we are able so confidently to build at present; and it is gratifying to find so representative a delegation from the page 14 political field, from trade and commercial bodies, and from those leagues and associations that make the progress and welfare of Canterbury the object of their existence.

“In conclusion may I state how delighted I am that the first important function at which I have been called upon to officiate since assuming the portfolio of Railways is one which I am sure will still further assist in the prosperity and development of the Province of Canterbury.” (Applause.)