Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1875 - 1929), Saturday 29 December 1888, page 11


THE EMU PARK RAILWAY. ———*——— OPENING CEREMONY. The Emu Park Railway is now an accom-plished fact. It has been taken over by the Government from the contractors, and on Saturday it was opened to the public, the first train which traversed the line being the one which conveyed the Members of Parlia-ment who performed the opening ceremony, and a number of other gentlemen who as-sisted them in doing so. The ceremony was not of a very formidable character, nor was it, indeed, as marked as it should have been, when the importance of the line to the town is considered, making available as it does Nature's one great "lung" to the dwellers of what is certainly a very warm place in sum-mer. However, this was partly owing to the strong desire expressed by the people that there should be no delay in their acquiring what was so nearly within their reach, and although the Minister for Railways, Mr. Kelson, was not able to be present, even that was not allowed to postpone the opening ceremony, much as he wished to have pre-sided at it. The duty was deputed instead to Mr. A. Archer, M.L.A., and it is needless to say with what grace he performed it. The special train conveyed about 120 gentlemen to and from the Park in ease and comfort, the line working with wonderful smoothness, and the unanimity with which it was praised was startling. The manner in which, too, so many people spoke about settling down at Emu Park for the summer months showed that the line will be a profitable one, as its prototype, the Sandgate line, has always been to the State, and that Rockhampton citizens have made up their minds to enjoy to the full the pleasure and recreation which has been placed within their reach. Just before ten o'clock there was a general tendency amongst the white-clad patrollers of East street in the direction of the North Rockhampton Station, where a train consisting of an engine, two composite carriages, one second-class carriage, and one composite brake van was drawn up under the control of Mr. Holdsworth, traffic manager, and Mr. Linthwaite, locomotive foreman. The party found seats, and at ten sharp the first train left the station quietly, and without any excitement of any kind. In the same way the journey down

was taken, broken only by a few stoppages, either to pick people up or to take in water. Arrived at the Park the party proceeded to Comley's Hotel, and refreshed themselves in the manner recorded below, and then after a sniff of the fresh air from the top of the cliff the train was regained, and a start was made for Tanby Paddock, about one and a-half miles beyond Tanby Station. Here Host Johnson, of the Belmore Arms, had literally pitched his tent, and with the good viands and liquors, and some equally good speeches, a couple of hours were spent very pleasantly. It was here, too, that Mr. Archer formally declared the line open, and dedicated it to the use of the public. The return trip was not long delayed, as it was not thought de-sirable to interfere with the train which was supposed to leave town at 4 o'clock, precisely at which time the special train again reached the terminus. The history of the line is well-known to the public. The original surveys were made by Mr. Hannam, and alternative routes via the Salt Pans and via Cawaaral were not accepted. The present one runs near to the public road, and the line has therefore presented very little difficulty to the contractors, Messrs. Fountain Brothers, the earthwork not being of any great importance and the levels easy. When Mr. Stanley took over the line he was not satisfied with it, and so he sent up his own surveyors. On the new survey the line still followed the road, but was placed higher up so as to keep it above flood level. Larger bridges, and longer and higher banks were in-

troduced throughout, and the new plans were issued to the contractors piece by piece as the work was completed in sections. The con-tract was accepted on the understanding that the schedule of prices was to be adhered to as if the old plans had been carried out, except where the line was materially altered, the prices for which were agreed to from time to time. The line has been constructed under the personal supervision of Mr. G. R. Forbes, assistant engineer to the Government, under the control of Mr. W. Pagan, resident engineer for the Wide Bay and Burnett and Central Districts, the contractors' engineer being Mr. Bowden. The works were a good deal thrown back by the floods which occurred in February last, when there was the unprecedented rainfall of 22 inches and over in twenty-six hours. Large quantities of the road were carried away at the Bush Inn and at Stoney Creek, necessitating still larger waterways at a total extra cost of £8000, and in other places, where not so much damage was done, another span or two was placed on bridges, culverts, or whatever was considered necessary to secure an uninter-rupted running line in all weathers. The line has practically been kept about 18 inches above the flood of 1875. Some of these alterations threw back the completion of the line for some months, so that with the delay caused by the alteration of the plans, the con-tractors may be said to have done the work within the time they were entitled to. The rolling stock is the work of Springall and Frost, of Ipswich, and is both sightly and comfortable to travel in. The engines have been in use on the Central line, but are now improved by having expanding smoke boxes and the vacuum brake. The maintenance of the permanent way was on Saturday handed over by Mr. Pagan, acting on behalf of Mr. Stanley, chief engineer, to Mr. Rodger, superintendent of maintenance for the Central lines. Some of the station buildings are not yet completed, but no unnecessary delay will be allowed in setting them into working order.

The line is a little over 29 miles 17 chains, and may be described as starting from the rear of the Council Chamber Reserve, at North Rockhampton, where it runs in an easterly

direction nearly straight for about three-quarters of a mile alongside the road, though there is a short curve at the commencement. The first bridge is at the three-quarter-mile peg. It is 116 ft. long and 11 ft. high. From thence to Kalka Creek is a mile, and this is occupied partly by a heavy embankment of over 8000 cubic feet of earth. The bridge over the creek is 256 ft. long and 18 ft. high, and the openings are two 28 ft, six 18 ft., and six 14 ft. Tbe bridge is of four pile work, and some of the piers are built, this being necessitated by the deep driving, some of the piers being 46 ft. in the ground, which is very soft throughout. The piles for most of the bridges came from the Mary-borough district. From Kalka Bridge the line still runs easily, crossing through Messrs. Curtis and Fairbairn's properties. About two miles from town Thozet's Creek is crossed by a bridge 326 feet in length, the greatest height above the ground being 22 ft. There are five 26 feet openings, seven 18 ft. and five 14 ft. There is another heavy embankment between Kalka and Thozet's keeping the line two feet or more above tbe 1875 flood level. There are also several cuttings. At Lake's Creek there is a good platform 150 feet by 12 feet, and a passenger shed with a galvanised iron roof and open seat, all round it. The shed is 24 feet by 10 feet, and will be partioned off in the centre, the one half being reserved as an office for the sale of tickets, &c. There is a 600-gallon tank provided; a cutting is passed just after leaving the passenger station, about 8000 cubic yards of earth were taken out. It is 18 feet deep, and was the hardest piece of work on the line. Provision is made for a good substantial overbridge to the works, and it will be available for vehicles as well as foot passengers. The gradients here, as on the greater part of the line, are very light. 1 in 230 being the steepest. After leaving Lake's Creek Station the line falls at about a 1 in 60 gradient to the Lake's Creek bridge, which is 352 feet long, and has eleven 14 feet and eleven 18 feet openings. Some of the piles in this bridge are driven about 30 feet or 40 feet in the ground. After crossing the bridge provision has been made for a crossing to the meat works from the paddock on tbe other side of the road. Two 18 feet gates have been erected to close across the line, and a few chains further on, at three miles from town, the line crosses the Emu Park Road. Here, too, there is a gatehouse for the man in charge, and the working will be done by signals from a semaphore. The line now skirts the road closely for about a mile, the formation being over small light banks. Half a mile further on a siding has been put in opposite to the Lake's Creek Sawmills. This is independent of a long siding at this point for the accommodation of the department itself for shunting and loading goods. The Sawmill siding will leave the main line by a 4 chain curve, the total length of the siding being 15 chains. At two miles from Lake's Creek there is another platform, and it is intended to have a station at the spot at some future time when the traffic warrants it. At this spot the extra bridging necessitated by the flood waters is found at the back of tbe Bush Inn. To provide additional waterway it was found necessary to raise the formation 18 inches for the length of half a mile, and to increase the bridge work from 288 feet to 1314 feet. The piles required for all this extra bridging were driven from 30 to 43 feet in the ground. At the 6¼ mile peg the line again crosses the main road, and, after following it for about half a mile, it leaves the road to the left, and enters Morgan's paddock. There are are several small embankments and cuttings, but no heavy work, and the gradients vary from 1 in 55 to 1 in 200. At 9½ miles from town Balnagowan Station is reached. It is as yet only a platform, but a porter's cottage is to be erected. A quarter of a mile further on the road is again met, and the line keeps near it until the 12-mile, where it is again crossed, and the parish of Meadow Flats is entered. At 12½ miles Nankeen Creek is crossed by a bridge 160 feet in length, and with three 26 feet, three 18 feet, and two 14 feet openings. The bridge is 16 feet above the bed of the creek. After this half a mile of flooded ground is crossed. This is the place where the embankment was carried away by the flood waters in February, and bridge work is substituted 966 feet in length. At 13½ miles the road is again met and crossed, and the line continues with the road on its right for about a mile, during which it enters the parish of Cawarral. At 14¼ miles from town a tank stand has been erected. The tank is capable of holding 14,000 gallons, and it is situated on Cawarral Creek, near the site of the Tom Thumb battery. This will be a water station, and the tank will be supplied by a 3-inch Tangye engine. Provision will also be made for watering stock which have been cut off from the creek by the railway. After passing this tank stand the road is left on the left, and the line goes through the Cawarral paddocks for about a mile. Cawarral Station is reached at 15¼ miles from town, near to Kenny's Halfway House Hotel. At this station there is a goods shed 22 ft. by 14 ft, a platform 150 ft. by 12 ft. There is no passenger station, but a porter's cottage and the usual loops and sidings will be provided. This spot is the summit of the line, the altitude being 126 feet above the level of the North Bockhampton Station. From Cawarral Station the line falls for a distance of three-quarters of a mile, in gradients of from 1 in 50 to 1 in 75. It still follows the road for a distance up to the eighteen miles, the curves being very easy ; throughout the line they vary from 12 to 40 chains radius. At the eigbteen-mile peg the road is again crossed, and it should be mentioned that all the crossings are open level ones with cattle grids. At seven-teen and a half miles Canton Creek is crossed by a bridge 150 feet long, with four 18 feet and five 14 feet openings, besides several smaller ones. The line then rises for about a mile, in gradients of 1 in 66

and 1 in 82. At 19 miles the line crosses Palm Creek. There is first of all a descent of about a quarter of a mile, at a grade of 1 in 50, and then a few chains of level ground end in the bridge, which is 190 feet long, and is 28 feet above the creek. It has five 26 feet, two 18 feet, and one 14 feet opening. A little further on is Twenty-Mile Creek, crossed by 114 feet of bridgework, and then the Coorooman Creek is reached a few chains further on. This is crossed by the best and largest bridge on the line. It is 504 feet in length, and has fourteen 26 feet and seven 20 feet openings, and is 32feet above the bed of the creek. Near this, too, is Mr. Macaree's brewery, which will bo served by a siding, which runs on to the main road. The parish of Hewittville is now entered, and some heavily timbered country encountered, and at the 23 mile Tanby Station is reached. Here is a platform 160 ft. by 12ft., a goods shed 30ft. by 20 ft, a loading bank, and a cottage for the porter in charge. It is here that tbe branch line to Yeppoon will junction when it it built and to this point the Yeppoon coaches now run. Another bridge crosses tbe Shoal Water Creek and after several other smaller bridges a, gradual fall brings the line to its terminus at Emu Park. The station is con-veniently situated on the flat near the beach, which is only a stone's throw away. The ac-commodation here will be the most extensive on the line, and includes a passenger station with ticket and clerks' offices 70 ft. by 20 ft., platform 200 ft. by 15 ft., carriage shed 100 ft. by 18 ft, engine shed 100 ft. by 16 ft., goods shed 30 ft. by 20 ft., and a 40 ft. turn-table. A 14,000 gallon tank will also be provided, and all the usual provisions for working and running trains. The Station-master's house is on a fine detached place, and provision will be made for entering the station from both Hill-street and Hunter-street, 18 ft. gates giving entrance to the yard. AT COMLEY'S When, on the arrival at the end of the down journey, the majority of the guests had assembled in the large dining-room of the Emu Park Hotel— and, by the way, there was ample room for all— Mr. A. Archer Messrs. Rees Jones, M.L.A., J. Murray, M.L.A., Captain Hunter, Colonel Armitage, Messrs. Wm. McIlwraith, T. Kelly, J. Atherton, Allen, J. Taylor, J. McPherson, Dr. Hay. Dr. McDonald, Dr. Callaghan, and others. The Chairman said it was not his intention to allow any long speeches till after the luncheon —that was when they would have something to speak upon ; but then was one toast which they must drink before they separated and left the Park, and he would call upon Captain Hunter to propose. Captain Hunter said the toast he had been asked to propose was 'The Prosperity of Emu Park.' (Applause.) He thought it was now something like twenty-five years ago at that time when he first came down to the Park. He did not think there were many there who could remember that. They camped on the point just below where they were then. He little expected to live to be able to come down there by rail, or to see the Park advance in the way it had done. Now he was able to say, however, that the railway was an accom-plished fact, and he trusted it would prove a matter of convenience and boon to the Central District, and tend to its advancement. Time was limited, and without saying anything more he would simply ask them to drink "Success to Emu Park." The toast was heartily responded to, and calls were made for Mr. Comley, the pro-prietor of the hotel. Mr. Comley said he had to thank them on behalf of the inhabi-tants of the Park. He was not the oldest one there, but he did not think there was anyone who had taken a more active interest in its advancement than he had. He had always tried to cater for the public convenience as well as he was able, although the difficulties in getting things down by road were sometimes very great. Now they had the line he hoped he should do far better, and that the Park would advance rapidly. (Ap plause.) The company were then informed that they had a quarter of an hour allowed them to get a sniff of the sea breeze, but that punctuality in returning was an essentiality, as the public at Rockhampton would be delayed in getting away unless the train returned in proper time. The instructions were observed to the letter, and a start was made for Tanby Pad-dock shortly after twelve o'clock. On arrival there, however, it was found that fully half-an-hour more might have been spared at the Park, as luncheon was not ready. However, ample justice was subsequently done to it. and glasses charged. The Chairman (Mr. Archer) proposed tbe toast to which no words needed to be said — ' Her Majesty the Queen,' and it was loyally drunk. The Chairman said if he could not propose the next toast without a few words, he could assure them his remarks would be short. Their time was limited, and, therefore, what ever he had to say he should put in the smallest space possible. He hoped others would follow his example. He had to propose a toast now, and he did so with extreme pleasure. It was that of the Administrator ot the Government, Sir Arthur Palmer. (Applause.) He did this not only with a great deal of pleasure, because he was one of the men who had most distinguished them-selves in Queensland as a politician, but he was the one who had oftener than any other administered the Government in the absence of the Governor. In addition to that he was a dear personal friend of his own, and he liked a real good fellow when he met him, and he believed Sir Arthur Palmer to be such a one. (Applause). The toast was drunk with musical honours. The Chairman said he had now to give them the toast of the day, for which they had met together to celebrate, the opening of the

railway between Rockhampton and Emu Park. (Applause.) He could only say— and be should almost repeat the words made use of by Captain Hunter at Emu Park that morning— that no one expected less than him-self ever to see the railway there when he first visited that part of the country. There were a few of them there— like Captain Hunter and himself — who could remember the time when there was hardly a bush track to the Park. Many more remembered the time when there was something like a road over which they had ridden or driven, and how they had that day had the advantage of seeing a railway line running well, running easily, and running successfully between the chief city of the Central District and the watering-place that was to be its future health resort. (Applause.) He did not himself expect to see it, but there were many there who would say the work which had been completed, and now taken over by the Government, would in future years lead to a city being built on the site where Emu Park then was, such as would probably astonish many who first saw that place. (Hear, hear.) Now, in looking at what they had done that day in going down there for the first time by rail, they bad to consider not only the work which had been performed — that was not a great work for Queensland, which had carried out so many large railways— but the effect it might have with regard to settlement in the town with which it was connected, and the Central District. For years and years there had been a cry for access to a place where they might get a sea-breeze and fresh air. Now their cry was satisfied, and he believed it would conduce not only to the pleasure of the people, but also to the health of the town to which most of them there looked upon as the town to which they belonged. (Hear, hear.) The matter upon which he spoke, was one which might easily be enlarged upon, but there were several other things to be spoken of, and being anxious not to interfere in any way with the comfort of the public of Rock-hampton, who awaited their return, he would conclude. That was the reason he had cut his speech short, and he asked them to drink not only success to the railway, but he proclaimed it now open for traffic as he had been requested to do by the Minister for Railways. (Loud applause} And speaking of that Minister he desired to say how ex-ceedingly sorry he was that he was not there to do the work himself. (Hear, hear.) He wanted to say a word to them about their present Minister for Railways. He could assure them that he had known him for some years. He sat with him before he went home on both sides of the House, and he would give them no better idea of him than this — that he did not believe a cleverer mlnded or a more honest man ever sat in the House than the present Minister for Railways, (Hear, hear.) He did not believe, mind, that they wonld find him easy to bully. He was one of those men who were prepared to say "no" if he thought "no" was the proper answer— one of those men of quiet courteous manner, exactly fitted to occupy tbe posi-tion he was in, and he thought that when Mr. Nelson left his post as Minister for Railways he would have created for himself a name such as few Ministers ever created. (Applause.) That being his fair opinion, they would not be surprised to hear him wish that he was there on the present occasion, because he would like them to know him as well as he did — a gentleman thoroughly fair and thoroughly honourable. He was not only proposing success to the railway that would take hundreds of thousands of passen-gers from Rockhampton to the Park, but he was going to express a hope that Emu Park would be able to accommodate all the people. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) He believed the town would be greatly benefited in health, and all those other things which gave life, health, and comfort, by that railway which took them to the side of the beautiful sea. He said success to the railway which was now opened, and success to both termini, (Ap-plause.) The toast having been honoured, Mr. Rees Jones, with whose name it was coupled, as it passes through his electorate, responded. He said he took credit to himself as being one of the earliest persons in Rockhampton to take advantage of the beautiful watering place provided in Emu Park, because he had had a humpy there (a voice: "Call it a decent house) eighteen years ago. (Mr. Archer : "And children to fill it.") Yes ; he had eleven there (a voice: 'What a good colonist") ; and if they did not believe it they could ask Mrs. Jones. (Applause and laughter.) On behalf of Emu Park, of which he considered himself the oldest inhabitant extant of the town proper, he was very much pleased to see the opening of the rail-way, because the one drawback he had always found to the Park was its distance from the town — twenty-nine miles — and a drive in a buggy such a distance in hot weather was very trying. Now they could come down there in an hour and a-half, and he was sure that not only would the people of Rockhamp-ton take advantage of the railway, but also those who lived in the interior who visited Rockhampton. (Hear, hear.) They might rest assured such would never rest until they had paid a visit to Emu Park, for he had heard Mr. Thomas Archer, their Agent General, truthfully say that of all watering places in the world he had never seen one bester. (Applause.) There was one thing he should like to say, and that was with reference to the contractors. One of the Messrs. Fountain Brothers had called upon him some days ago, and expressed regret that the firm would not be present at the opening ceremony. They had arranged for a family gathering down in Brisbane some time ago, and they were very desirous of all being present. (Hear, hear.) They regretted they could not meet the gentlemen of Rockhampton on the present occasion, and he hoped they would accept the apology he now offered on their behalf. Once more he begged to thank them for the

manner in which the toast had been proposed and received. (Applause.) Mr. Jones then proposed the toast of the Municipalities of Rockhampton, North Rockhampton and the Chairman and members of the Gogango Divisional Board. In submit-ting it he remarked that Queensland might take credit to itself that its system of local government had been such a success. Unfortunately, he had heard it expressed in New South Wales they had not the same principles of local government as they had in Queensland, and that was a thing to be proud of. As far at Rockharnpton was concerned, and also the Gogango Division, they had always set an example to other municipalities and Divisional Boards in the colony. They always felt proud in the Honse when they spoke of their local authorities, and the way in which they were conducted. (Applause.) The municipality of Rockhampton had been in existence for nearly thirty years. The Borough of North Rockhampton had only been in existence three or four years. But they were all proud of the way in which municipal affairs and the way the Divisional Board had been conducted, and he had great pleasure in proposing the health of those bodies. (Applause).— The toast being well received. Mr. Sidney Williams (the Mayor of Rock-hampton) said the flattering way in which Mr. Rees Jones, the member for that portion of the district, had proposed it, and its re-ception by the gathering, showed the action of all the bodies mentioned had not been alto-gether lost sight of by him. (A voice : "He's the Town Solicitor," and applause and laughter.) It was not altogether municipal work and municipal inflnence which had to be credited with bringing about that railway, but none the more for that — and none the less for that — it was a matter for municipal con-gratulation. (Applause.) It was a great day for Rockhamnton, and he, as the representa-tive, had to express the pleasure they felt. People had said that when they came here they did not expect it. He would like to know what they did expect. If they thought that with- their wonderful municipality and well organised bodies, they did not know what they wanted at holiday time, they were mistaken. (Laughter.) He contended that the Rockhampton people were as much alive to what they wanted for the benefit of themselves and their families as any other district in Queensland ; and be hoped they would not forget it. (Applause and laughter.) He was not an old alderman, and there were many there who could give him years; but he had endeavoured to follow in the path they had started. Captain Hunter was one them, and he had said be did not expect to see the railway accom-plished. Probably that was because he did not take time to consider what was to be the future of the district. He hoped every gentle-man present would value to the full what they had got that day— that was a sanitorium for the town. There were many other things wanted, and they might rest assured that they, as the local council, would not lose it for the want of asking. They had plenty of cheek in that direction. As long at they could get it for asking they would get it (Applause.) Mr. E. Macabee (the Mayor of North Rockhampton) also responded. He said he had been twenty-eight years in the district, and he was not ashamed to say that there were many there who had seen him working in a shirt and moleskin pants by the sweat of his brow. (Laughter.) Sometimes people laughed at him, and every word he uttered they said "That's Shakespeare." (Laughter.) Now he said, "Ye old men, and members of the fourth estate, it gives me wonderful pleasure, and great is my content to see you here before me, and to see the line to Emu Park an accomplished fact." That was Shakespeare. (Much laughter, and a voice : "Coorooman Creek beer.") He had heard it said it was a most extraordinary thing to see a line to Emu Park. He failed to see it, be-cause three years ago he met a most amiable lady (much laughter) — Miss Clara Baldwin, a clairvoyant (continued laughter), and she said the Emu Park line would be an accom-plished fact in three years. (Laughter.) Now, after that, was there anything in clairvoyancy? (Cries of "Yes" and much laughter, and after a few further inaudible re-marks Mr. Macaree sat down.) Mr, J. Atherton (the Chairman of the Gogango Divisional Board) also responded. Ha said he was very pleased to see so many residents of the district present, and he was glad of the occasion, because it would take some of the responsibility off the shoulders of the Gogango Divisional Board. (Hear, hear.) They would not be so much pestered now in being asked to make bridges and roads to Emu Park. He thought they had seen the thin end of the wedge well in, in this Emu Park Railway, and they must remember there were other places quite as valuable to Rockhampton as Emu Park — (laughter)— such as Broadsound and Mackay. He hoped there were plenty of people here who would see the line to those places accom-plished. At any rate, he hoped to be able to see a branch of the present new railway made to Yeppoon. He was the oldest white resi-dent in the district, on this side of the river, having been here nearly thirty years, and therefore he was exceedingly glad to see the railway done. (Applause.) The Chairman here announced that a pro-posal had been made to take Hospital boxes round. Mr. Macabee proposed the toast of "The Parliament of Queensland," coupling with it the name of Mr. John Murray, M.L.A., who re-sponded. He said as a young and very humble member of the Parliamentary bodies be had to thank them, while expressing a wish that they had called upon someone with — (Mr. ARCHER: "More cheek," laughter.) That they would have had no difficulty in doing. (Continued laughter.) What he in-tended to say was with more experience to

respond to such an important toast. He thought the members of the Parliament of Queensland were as capable a body of men as there were in the colonies at the present time. (Applause.) He thought he was justified in saying that. He did not mean to say that from anything they had done in the past, because they had not done much ; but from what they were going to do in the future. (laugbter, and a voice, "Which is Irish.") There was one thing they had done in the past, howerer — they had succeeded in con-verting the Protectionists of Queensland to the principles of Free Trade. (Applause, and cries of 'Oh, oh.') Previous to the general election everyone they met was clamouring for Protection ; now they could not meet anyone who was not crying out against it. ('Oh, oh.') They all wanted Protection— but no one was pre-pared to pay for it. They might rest assured they would have his hearty co-operation in getting back to the principles of Free Trade as soon as they could. With regard to the future, he thought some of the measures that were to be introduced into the present Parlia-ment of Queensland were the most important which had ever come before any similar body. Principally he referred to the decentralization scheme of the present Government. It would be a most difficult and complicated one, because in passing it it was desired to do away with the clamour for separation. That was the great importance of the object. Now it must be admitted that whatever difficulties the Northern constituencies suffered under, they in the Central District also suffered to a great extent. (Hear, hear, And a voice. 'More so.') So they also required, in a measure, the passing of a decentralization scheme. He hoped the Government would see their way to pass a liberal measure in the highest degree, so as to do away with this cry for separation. Nothing more serious or detrimental could take place in Central Queensland. Whatever benefit it might be to the North, of course, it could be none to the South, nor could it be any to the Central District. (Hear, hear.) He should endeavour to do all he could to see that the measure was a liberal one. However, they were there to celebrate the opening of that railway from Rockhampton to Emu Park. It would prove a great boon to the inhabitants of the Central District, but he must say now, as he had said before, that it was merely s pleasure line. It was an excellent thing for health seekers and pleasure seekers, but as a line calculated to advance or promote the material welfare of the Central District, it would be m failure. (Cries of "no" and "hear, hear.") In fact, it would be in the opposite direction. ("No, no.") It would have a tendency to warrant people in spend-ing more than they were warranted in spend-ing in pleasure-seeking ("No, no.") When the £60,000 was voted for the line from the £10,000,000 loan, he said it should have been spent in the extension of the Central Railway to the seaboard, (A voice : .'Casuarina Island,' and interruption.) It was perfectly immaterial to him whether it went to Port Alma, or anywhere else, but he said then, and be still maintained, that the only way to get their railway perfect was by con-necting it with the seaboard. (Hear, hear.) It did not matter to him whether it was at Emu Park, or anywhere else ; but they would never succeed in having their railway perfect until it was done. The next time they met on such an occasion, he hoped it would be to celebrate the opening of the Central Railway to deep water. (Applause.) They might depend upon is it would be done, whether the people of Rockhampton wished it or not. There was the influence of the whole of the Western District to be brought to bear, and they might rely on is it would have his sup-port. They had better take an active interest in their own prosperity ere it was too late, and not let everything go to Townsviile. (Hear, hear.) He said this extension to deep water was a work of a national character ; it was not a local work, merely affecting a few tradesmen in Rockhampton. It affected the whole of Central Queensland generally. Did they think that Central Queensland would be content to be stopped in such a work, because it might affect a few privileges in Rockhamp-ton? They would have it done, and that quickly. (Hear hear). He thanked them for their reception of the toast. The Chairman announced that the collec tion in aid of the Hospital had amounted to '£13 15s. (Applause.) Captain Hunter, in flattering terms, pro-posed the health of the Chairman, referring to the manner in which he had always, even at his own inconvenience, been ready to do all he could for the welfare of the people of Rockhampton. When he was sent home to England as Agent General, they saw this es-pecially. Before he went he said that he would lay the petition of the people of Rock hampton before the Queen, and at the risk of much personal loss he had done so. (Ap plause.) He had been connected with various constituencies in Central Queensland in the Parliaments of Queensland, and it must have been felt by everybody that he was a man whose sterling principles would carry weight with them to any assembly whenever he was placed. (Applause.) He need not say that he had had the acquaintance and friendship of Mr. Archer for many years, and during the whole of that time a more worthy and disinterested man - one who would work more faithfully for the best interests of those connected with the Central District — did not exist. (Applause.) The toast was drank with musical honours. Mr. Archer, who was extremely well greeted, said he ought to be surprised at the manner in which they had received him, but really he bad been so spoilt by the people of Rockhampton when he had met them in public places, that he was not at all so. It might be that they rated him far higher than he deserved. ("Not at all") He knew all about what Captain Hunter had said with regard to when be went home as Agent-General, but he did not think there was anything in that. A

fellow who did not keep his word was not worth twopence halfpenny. If a man was to be praised for simply doing what he said he would do, then, by Jove, they were getting a bad lot. (Laughter.) He put that aside, but he would like to say this — that even when he addressed assemblies in Rockhampton who were not favourable to him — in fact some times they had positively disagreed with him — he had invariably received that courtesy and attention which had made him very grateful ; and he never addressed a public meeting anywhere with the same degree of pleasure as he addressed the people of Rockhampton. (Applause.) As to the praise Captain Hnnter had lavished upon him, if he knew him as he knew himself he would have spared him some of it. Of course he was very glad to be able to think that what he had done was appreciated by the people of Rockhampton, but it had been a pleasure to him to do it. He had been in the House a good many years now, and he was exceedingly glad that they, having followed his career, were prepared to endorse the flattering terms in which Captain Hunter pro-posed his health. He was now very near that period when he should make his bow to the public, and retire. (No, no.) Yes, he was. He warned to see a younger, stronger man come in to represent them. At all events that was his wish. Of course, as long as he was their representative he would try to do the best he could. But youth and strength was a great element in success, and he was anxious to see Rockhampton represented by a strong able man. They might rest assured that the period was at hand when he would make his bow end retire, and he would do so with greater pleasure knowing that he carried with him the esteem they had been pleased to express to him. He thanked them very much. (Applause.) This concluded the proceedings, and the company after a short interval returned to town, arriving here about four o'clock.