Direct Rail Link "Celebrated"

Present day readers might not appreciate the frustrations of passengers on the first attempt to connect Heidelberg and the City by rail.

A meander through the inner suburbs, retracing one's route, the locomotive being disconnected then run past the carriages to be reconnected..........

Little wonder the direct link was celebrated.

More knives appeared in the Collingwood Town Hall luncheon than were required for carving the meals!

The Argus, 22.10.1901, Page 7

THE COLLINGWOOD RAILWAY OPENED FOR TRAFFIC. LUNCHEON AT COLLINGWOOD, DINNER AT HEIDELBERG.

After 20 years of continuous and energetic agitation, and a series of unforeseen delays, the direct railway line connecting the Heidelberg line with the metropolis was opened for passenger traffic yesterday.

Instead of travelling by a circuitous route, past Royal Park and North Carlton to Clifton Hill, thence to Collingwood and back to Clifton Hill on his way to Heidelberg, the passenger is now able to get his ticket at Prince's-bridge station, and, despite the frequency of the stoppages, reach Heidelberg — the beauty spot of Melbourne — in the course of a few minutes.

Throughout yesterday the trains were well filled, and, although a large number of the travellers were pleasure-seekers taking a trip over the new line for the sake of novelty, there were a considerable proportion of workmen and passengers between the wayside stations, who were evidently commencing what will become their habitual means of transport to the city.

During the morning two trains were run for the school children, and these trips proved so fascinating that the merry-go-rounds and the swing boats of Collingwood were practically deserted by the juvenile population, who chose to spend their odd coppers on train fares.

At half-past 12 o'clock the departmental special train left, with the guests invited to the luncheon given by the mayor of Collingwood (Councillor Aumont).

The train ran smoothly and evenly, and the moment it emerged from the cutting at Wellington Parade the view from the carriages was a particularly pretty one.

Running as it does upon high ground, the train seems to be almost in the midst of the verdure of the Fitzroy Gardens, and when it reaches the neighbourhoods less picturesque in the flats of Richmond and Collingwood the embankment is so high that none of these features can be discerned.

On arriving at Collingwood Town-hall station the visitors were received by the mayor of Collingwood (Councillor Aumont) and his fellow-councillors. The mayor formally welcomed the visitors, remarking that the occasion was a most auspicious one, seeing that it marked the success of the work of practically a lifetime.

With the guidance of the Australian Natives' Association, whose members had taken a very prominent part in the work of securing a railway for Collingwood, attempts had been made, which, he was glad to say, had at last been crowned with success.

The Parliamentary representatives of the district had shown in this matter that they were the right men in the right place, and they had urged the claims of Collingwood not only as a necessity, but as a right. He trusted that the line would prove a financial success, and that the Railway department would see its way to providing a direct platform from the town-hall to the station. (Hear, hear.)

The party then walked to the town-hall through the centre of a large crowd, which had assembled to witness the ceremony. A halt was made at the corner of the building, where a drinking-fountain has been erected to commemorate the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York.

Mr. W. Bain, the chairman of the celebration committee, formally handed over the fountain to the mayor as the representative of the citizens of Collingwood, and asked him to turn on the water. (Cheers.) The Mayor, in returning thanks, said the fountain would always recall memories of the very happy times the citizens of Collingwood had passed during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. (Cheers.) It would show the ratepayers that they had not been forgotten.

He wished to give honour to whom honour was due, and point out that it was at the suggestion of Councillor Beazley, M.L.A., who occupied the mayoral chair at the time, that this fountain was erected. (Cheers.) The mayor then turned on the tap, and drank a cup of water.

LUNCHEON AT COLLINGWOOD.
A luncheon was then held in the Collingwood Town-hall, about 200 gentlemen being present. The mayor presided. [..] The hall was brightly decorated with flags and pot-plants, and during the luncheon a string band played selections of popular music.

After the usual loyal toasts, Councillor Gahan proposed the toast of "The Parliaments of the Commonwealthand the State of Victoria." Senator Best responded on behalf of the Federal Senate.  

The action of the Commonwealth Government in preventing the destruction of the industries of Victoria would be supported by the people — (hear,hear) — and the vested interests which had been created would receive full recognition. (Hear, hear.)

The public must not be too critical regarding the tariff. Objections could be raised regarding details, but he believed that the representatives of the people would do their duty, and have full regard for the interests of the nation and [quoted text not transcribed - Ed.] suburbs of Melbourne. (Hear, hear.)

He regretted that the Minister of Lands was not present, for he had wished to point out to that gentleman the desirability of beautifying Studley-Park still further, and making it practically a national park to attract hundreds of thousands of people,with resulting profit to the Railway department.(Cheers.)

Mr. Pitt, M.L.C., suggested that the Government should, in the event of this line being a financial success, construct the Fitzroy line for electric traction, with a view to adopting that principle throughout the suburban system.

Sir Arthur Snowdon, M.L.C., thought that the Minister of Lands might consider the possibility of joining the grounds of theYarra Bend and Kew Asylums to Studley Park, and making the whole a large national park. (Hear, hear.)

Messrs. Grimwade and Levi, M.L.C.'s,and Mr. Wilkins, M.L.A., also responded. Councillor Kimberley proposed the toast of "Success to the Collingwood Railway Line."

Mr. Trenwith responded, adding to his previous remarks that the new railway would develop the Heidelberg district, and facilitate the working of the metropolitan railway system.

Mr. Fitzpatrick congratulated the people of Collingwood on having at last achieved their ambition. He considered that the true note was struck in the reference to the future prosperity of the district. (Hear,hear.)

The missing link had been provided at last, and he was satisfied that the results would prove the railway a financial success.(Hear, hear.)

The department had stuck loyally to the people of Collingwood in connection with this railway. (Hear, hear.) Its officers had given evidence in favour of the construction of the line, and also that to Fitzroy.

He wished also to congratulate the engineer-in-chief of the department (Mr. Rennick) on having built a first-class line.

A good time-table had been provided; there was a scale of reasonable fares; and he trusted that the department would receive a little of the patronage of the people. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. E. H. Cameron, M.L.A. (Evelyn), chairman of the Railway Standing Committee,also responded.

Senator Best proposed the toast of "Municipal Institutions." Mr. Fitzgibbon responded. It was only three years short of half a century since he had become associated with the municipal life of Victoria. Responding on behalf of the Metropolitan Board of Works, he would say that that body had risen superior to the tongue of slander, when a newspaper had challenged all to come forward and say that black was white. (Laughter.)

Councillor Colechin. — "The indictment has not been heard yet, Mr. Fitzgibbon." — He did not catch the remark. (Looking round) "Oh, it was Mr.Colechin." (Laughter.)

That gentleman had been very prominent in assailing the Metropolitan Board, but he could inform him that his attack had fallen off like water off a duck's back. (Laughter.) He would say now without fear of contradiction, that anybody who did anything against the board could come forward and say it,

Let his name be Colechin or any other chin. (Loud laughter.) Furthermore, he would say that it was a disgraceful thing for one individual portion of the press, not only to do its worst and utmost against the board, but to make an unworthy and blackguardedly attack upon the honourable gentlemen who sat as a board of inquiry. It had characterised their report as a whitewashy report, insinuating that they had whitewashed somebody they should have blackballed.

We can only hope the Dinner at Heidelberg was more kindly to the digestion than the bickering over lunch.

(Article sourced by Nilss)