GUN INNES STATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 11

GUN INNES STATION.

PROTEST BY RESIDENTS.

MINISTER AND BUS COMPETITION.

Residents-of'-St. Heller's Bay and Kohimarama are making a strong protest against the decision of the Minister of Railways (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), to abandon the proposed Glen Innes railway station on the Westfield deviation. It was originally intended that the station in question should be placed at the ■ southern- entrance U the Purewa tunnel, close to St. !Helier's Bay Road. The work of laying out the station yards was commenced, and a : considerable quantity of spoil was deposited. Some time ago the work' was discontinued, arid the residents learned that the plans had been altere'd'to provide for a station half a mile further on.

Immediately this became known a protest wa 8 ' entered by Mr. M. G. McArthur, chairman of the Tamaki Road Board. It was pointed out to the Minister of Railways that the site *s originally shown on the plans is the only one which could adequately serve the Tamaki district. It was described as being central, and in dose proximity to the main thoroughfares.. •

To these protests the Minister of Railways has written to" the Tamaki Rosd Board,. etatiii c that "at the time the original station sites were decided Upon'road: competition was not so keen as at present, but this competition developed to'such an extent as to necessitate reconsideration ox the sites originally selected."

A petition, signed by 590 residents of St. Helier's Bay and Kohimarama, and which will be forwarded to the ActingMinister o* Railways (Hon. F. J. Rolleston), states that the Department's objection to the site on- the ground of inaccessibility had. been, ivercom" by the owners of adjacent land undertaking to connect the station with the main thoroughfares by the construction of a road. At present their- - only . means of transport between, Tamaki and Auckland City is .by. motor bus. -The petitioners also state, that, owing to the fares involved in. this service, the residents, had confidently' anticipated a substantial relief from, a railway.seme.-. If their request fpr ithe retention of Glen Inne> station waestfl. ignored, however, they contend that .their relief would be nullified.