Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 5 (August 1, 1939)

Hon. D. G. Sullivan, — Minister of Railways

Hon. D. G. Sullivan,
Minister of Railways.

The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, spoke under the handicap of approaching darkness, and he reduced his speech materially in order to ensure that the last of the day's functions, the unveiling of the memorial tablet to men who had lost their lives while working on the line, could be carried out while daylight still lingered. Mr. Sullivan spoke as follows:—

“It gives me very great pleasure to be here today on the occasion of the official opening of the Napier—Wairoa—Waikokopu portion of the Napier—Gisborne Railway.

“I regard this as an occasion of outstanding importance not only to Hawke's Bay but to the whole Dominion, because the direct benefits which the new line confers on the areas it serves cannot fail to have a stimulating effect upon the general trade and industry of the Dominion.

“It is a privilege to be present at a time when a whole Province rejoices, as Hawke's Bay is doing today, at the completion of a necessary work of major economic importance upon which high hopes have been placed through many long years; and I am particularly happy to be a member of the Government whose decisive action has resulted in the line being opened for traffic today—and not at some nebulous date in the dim and distant future, which seemed to be the destiny of the partly completed and partly destroyed railway prior to the present Government's accession to office.

Some History.

“The settlers of this district know full well how long deferred the work has been. But it is useful to remember that although Napier and Hastings were connected by rail as early as 1874, forty-four years elapsed before the first tangible evidence of railroad construction from Napier toward Wairoa was seen in the completion of the West-shore railway bridge in 1918.

“The railway was opened to Eskdale in 1923, and Putorino (half-way between Napier and Wairoa) was reached in 1930. The line to Raupunga was taken over by the Railways Department in February of the present year, and now we celebrate the opening of the whole Napier—Wairoa section, and the taking-over by the Railways Department of the complete line of 97 miles from Napier to Waikokopu.

“I believe, and I am sure my colleague the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, will agree with me, that the Napier—Wairoa railway has been built under difficulties unprecedented in the history of railroad construction in New Zealand—a land where engineering problems in railway construction have been extraordinarily plentiful.

“After the earthquakes in 1931 the Government of the day decided definitely to abandon the line—and did so. But the Labour Government, on coming into power in November, 1935, and in accordance with its belief in the necessity, in the public interest, of completing the principal railway lines of the Dominion, determined to rebuild this damaged and abandoned railway and to proceed with the work of further construction.

“All who had occasion to visit the locality after the resumption of this work will agree that the engineers and workmen tackled the job with rare energy and ingenuity; but there was a most disappointing setback when, in April, 1938, huge floods played havoc with their work. Undeterred, however, by this stroke of ill-fortune, the engineers and their staffs continued to push ahead with the job. They worked miracles in surmounting all the obstacles of the route, and today have the satisfaction of knowing that their epic of effort is rewarded, in the assurance which improved access gives of a brighter and more prosperous future for this important and rapidly developing district.

Tribute to the Hon. R. Semple.

“As you know, the Public Works Department builds New Zealand's railways, and the Railways Department maintains and operates them. It is not too much to say that to the Public Works Department, Mr. Semple brought a new inspiration and a driving force and boldness of conception and execution unexampled in the history of Public Works administration in New Zealand. I say all honour to him, and to his Department and staff for the good job they have done in pushing through the construction of this line in the face of the severest handicaps. In this connection I need make special reference only to the completion of the Mohaka viaduct as an outstanding example of what New Zealand engineers and builders can do under the right leadership and when actuated by motives which place public welfare in the forefront.

(Rly. Publicity photo) Wairoa Station on opening day. 5Zb (Mobile Broadcasting Unit) on right.

(Rly. Publicity photo)
Wairoa Station on opening day. 5Zb (Mobile Broadcasting Unit) on right.