JOHNSONVILLE RAILWAY STATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 109, 8 May 1912, Page 7

JOHNSONVILLE RAILWAY STATION.

NEW STRUCTURE WANTED. A deputation of Johnsonville residents was introduced by Sir. W. H. D. Bell to the Minister of Railways (the Hon. A. M. Myers) to-day to request that a new railway station should be- erected at Johnsonville. Mr. W. L. Thompson, chairman of the Johnsonville Town Board, said that the Government had promised that when the Paekakariki station was completed the Johneonville station would be tho next to be dealt with. At present the station was dangerous for persons alighting from a train. Local trains had to be side-tracked and passengers had to eross _ the railway after alighting from a train to tho risk of their lives. Traffic at the station was very congested, practically all line* being in use at all times —if not for passenger trains, then for goods traffic, such as sheep and cattle. The town of Johnsonville had borrowed £1800 for necessary services, such as water supply, but people could not be ■expected to go and reside at Johnsonville with tho present inadequate railway facilities. Johnsonville Tesidents also complained of the excessive speed of express trains travelling through. Johnsonville. There were two level crossings in tho town, and if tho speed of the express trains was not reduced crossing keepers should be appointed. He was certain that if tho Minister was conversant with the whole position at Johnsonvillo ho would not tolerate it i'o i- a moment further. Mr. Thompson also complained that the early morning tra'n from Johufionville had been a quarter ol an hour late on each morning this week. This was iv serious thing when it \vas_ remembered that the train was patronippri by about 300 people. Sir William Steward stated that tho present position was a menace to HJ'e and limb. Between fifty and sixty trains passed through the town each day._ The necessary work could be carried out at a cost of about £2000. , Representations were also made by Mr. G. T. Hall concerning the necessity of ample accommodation for goods traffic. Subways were also required. , The Minister said that the question of a new station and tho rearrangement of facilities for Juhiisonvilie had already engaged the attention of. the department, and it vsus found that a sum ot £10,000 would bo required for the work, which would have to bo coiibidered with other similar applications. There was no record of any promise having been made, and ho was not in a position to make any promise now, beyond this— that it would be considered at the earliest poesible opportunity. Meantime he would endeavour to have a man stationed at the crossing to warn anyone who was likely to be endangered. The question of subway^ or overhead bridges would also be enquired into. As soon as ho waa in a position to mako a definite statement ho would communicate with Mr. Bell. Tho question of the late, departure ot tho morning train would he enquired into. Thoie \vj<3 no reason why tho train should be lato on successive mornings ; there might be an vscuce once in a while.