WEDNESDAY last marked the opening of the fourth section of the North Coast railway - from Taree to Wauchope.
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This means that the Hastings is at last linked up with the metropolis by rail, and for the first time in their lives the residents of the district were enabled to peruse Sydney mail matter of even date.
The advent of the line marks a wonderful forward step in our history, and just what its effects will be only time will disclose. But one great fact is certain - it forever places us within sure and quick touch with the dwellers in cities.
For that reason alone the ceremony of Wednesday last will always remain a notable and memorable one in district annals. Official openings such as this are useful coping-stones to such great happenings as the completion, - or partial completion - of a great .railway system.
These gatherings, which are flouted by some wiseacres as idle junketings, serve a very real and useful purpose insomuch that they bring together Ministers, Parliamentarians, and people.
This is quite likely to be of educative value to the people, and is sure to be so to the politicians, who often legislate with very imperfect data at their command. Then again, conditions vary so much in different parts of this great State that a man might be well-versed in outback conditions, and yet have a very imperfect knowledge of those prevailing along the coast.
Those gatherings always serve to dissipate many preconceived ideas, and tend to bring about a better understanding between the people and their legislators. The hallmark of its importance has been set on the opening of the fourth section of this great trunk line by the distinguished gathering of representative public men present on the occasion.
If there was one thing to be regretted it was that the visitors did not see our district under normal conditions. The long spell of dry weather had left it dry and parched-looking; but the happy and prosperous looking condition of the people was convincing evidence of the wealth of the district.
The cutting of the ribbon on Wednesday of course marked the ceremonial opening, the service on the new line having been actually inaugurated the previous Monday.
Evidence that the line was a necessity was amply demonstrated, for the train carried a large number of passengers. On most of the platforms many residents of the respective centres had gathered to see the first train go through.
Everybody was smilingly and palpably not a little proud of the belated recognition given to the splendidly fertile strip of Australia which they had chosen for their homes.
A feeling tribute to the work done may be fervently expressed in the smoothness of the running, which was a great change from the older part of the line on the Sydney side of Taree. With wisdom the authorities had not opened the line until it was ready, the stations and all their conveniences being complete in every particular.
THE ARRIVAL
A large party of members of Parliament was organised and brought up for the ceremony by Mr. H. D. Morton, M.L.A., member for the Hastings and Macleay, and left Sydney in three special cars attached to the Maitland train leaving Sydney at 7.15 on Tuesday evening
The trip was uneventful, though bumpy, after the special was left to its own devices. That is, until Taree was reached, when the smooth travelling on the new stretch was highly appreciated.. Wauchope was plentifully besprinkled with flags, and a “Welcome” archway had been erected at the corner of High and Cameron Streets.
From an early hour motor cars, buggies, and sulkies filled Wauchope to overflowing. If ever there was need for a railway it was certainly where so many people could be gathered together, outside of the fact that their occupations were those for which a railway is most urgently needed.
It must have been an eye opener to the gentlemen from Macquarie Street that such a population should have so long languished, without the first necessity of modern progress.
The size of the gathering on Wednesday must surely give a fillip to the hastening of the next section.