the quality of these products prior to them being shipped on the Mataura. A locomotive and 25 coal trucks were ordered in September or early October from James Davidson and Co of Dunedin. By the end of February 1876 the lines had been laid and ballasting commenced. The intention was to open the line for freight and a few weeks later, passenger traffic. Ballasting was completed on 31 March and although the line was considered ready for traffic, its formal opening was announced to be held on 1 May. By June a goods shed and engine shed were under construction at Kaitangata. The platform had been built, but the station building had yet to be constructed. Use The first informal journey on the line was on 8 April when a group of local dignitaries were bought from Balclutha to Kaitangata on the line by the Company. Formal inspection of the new line was carried out by W N Blair, District Engineer, on 22 April. By 20 May passenger and goods trains were running daily on the line. These early trains were Government owned ones as the Company was still waiting for delivery of its own engine and rolling stock. The formal opening ceremony was on 16 June 1876. About 300 people journeyed by train from Dunedin to attend the opening performed by the Mayor of Dunedin, H J Walker. Andrew Davidson was the conductor on the train. At the ceremony, the company announced its intention to acquire a second engine and run three trains a day on the line. Shares in the Company were selling for £10. A timetable had been introduced by December 1876 with two trains each day at 10:10 a.m. and 4:55 p.m. On Mondays and Saturdays the trains were at 6:45 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. By March 1877 there were three trains per day at 10:10 a.m., 2:10 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. as had been mooted in when the line was opened. In April the Company announced that it was increasing its freight charges. This met with considerable outcry and a call for the Government to take over ownership on running of the line. The rates being charged by the Company were one shilling 6 pence (1/6) for passengers from Kaitangata to Stirling, 2/6 per ton for grain, and 10/- per truck for firewood. At the meeting Coal was said to be charged at £2 per