RAILWAY ON WHARVES

Evening Star, Issue 19843, 17 April 1928, Page 3

RAILWAY ON WHARVES

ADEQUATE FACILITIES WANTED In the event of unsuitable railway facilities being provided for the Victoria wharf, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce intends to make a protest. A watchful eye is being kept on the plans by the council of the chamber. At last night’s meeting Mr A. C. Cameron moved that the Railway Department and the Harbor Board be asked to give information as to the exact details of the railway line on to the wharves. The Harbor Board was notorious for its slowness in replying to letters. It was rumoured that a single line was to be laid down without facility for crossing of trucks and sidings. If that was the board’s intention a protest might ensure something being done. Members realised the present handicap. All produce from the Otago Dairy Producers’ cool stores had to be carried across to the Victoria wharf, which was not only a handicap but an added cost to costs which were already the highest in New Zealand. Mr F. Tyson: Docs not timber from the Gatlins go down to Bluff to be shipped. A Member: It is cheaper that way. “ In the railway on Victoria wharf wo have an object lesson on what should not be done,” said Mr Tyson. “The railway had no loop, and goodness knows how the rail was to be worked.”

Mr J. Gray suggested that a protest should be made. Mr Tyson; They are going to make some alterations, and it seems that thev started before they were ready. The Harbour Board was still squabbling over what sheds and wharves it was going to have. Some members wanted a tongue wharf out from the crass wharf, but he.thought a tongue wharf would be useless. _ The council decided to ask the Harbour Board and Railway Department for the information, -although the district railway manager (Mr R- R. Sword) stated that the question was one for the Harbour Board.