HAWERA STATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 October 1924, Page 4

HAWERA STATION.

VIEWS ON THE MINISTER’S PROPOSALS. DISAPPOINTMENT EXPRESSED. • ; The proposal to spend £20,000 in the sixth year at Hawera, which was mentioned in the Minister of Railways’ ■ programme of improvements and new works published yesterday, is being strongly criticised by leading citizens of this town, who have in mind the numerous promises which have been made from time to time, and who contend that the sum stated is absolutely inadequate to effect the improvements required. In order to find s what is the reeling of people towards the question u Star reporter interviewed some of \ the people who have been closely connected -with the representations made to the department from time to time, and below we give their comments. Mr E. Dixon said that during the term of the Liberal Government a scheme was prepared which entailed an expenditure at Hawera of about £8j)’000’ it being stated at the time that the Government would not*do' the work piecemeal, but would carry out a comprehensive scheme necessitating the purchase of more land; also, if the people agreed to the removal of the station the commencement of the work would be hastened. Some years ago it was decided definitely that the railway station should be removed, and there was no protest from the people. He understood that the Government had already purchased extra land, and the tact that they had now let a contract tor the erection of nine railwaymen’s cottages proved that they realised the importance of the work." Mr Dixon said he felt that the Government’s was • a long way overdue, arid tha,t the need for the alterations had been, evident to all concerned for many years past. He understood from the remarks made at the Chamber of Com- ' mei ce meetings that a definite promise ■ had been given to commence the work a £ , Tawhiti crossing, but although that was some weeks ago the position was still as acute as ever. To prove the statement made concerning the-in-convenience at this particular crossing he was going to‘take the'first oppbi? tumty of having one of the hold-ups photographed. This would be conclusive evidence of the justification for the continuous complaints. “While I was m the House in 1922,” continued Jig Dixon, ‘ the General Manager of Railways in his report stated that Hawera was placed third on the list of important works to be started. The state- > ment that Hawera has to wait a further six years before this work is commenced is most unsatisfactory I have no doubt that the member' for the district, Mr Corrigan, will remember the many promises that have been made, and will urge that a more satisfactory proposal be adopted. Plans of this comprehensive scheme were submitted to the Hawera Chamber of Cornmerce by the Public Works. Department, which proved that thev had made up then* minds to carry out the scheme. It was only the outbreak of nar that prevented it from being in operation at the present time.” Air J. S. Murray, the surveyor for the new station and yards, told a. Star reporter that the plan for the £BO 000 i ooo me i w ? s a PPioved on October 9, 92_,, about a year after the survey was made. It had been pointed out that Hawera would be' tlie most suitable terminus for repair work, as the cost of haulage and.- rolling stock for Ion" distances was too great. Rolling stock would be brought into Hawera from the south and -from, the Opunake, New Plymouth and Taranaki Main Trunk lines. It was: always understood that the work to be carried out. at Hawera : was with the main object bf making , a terminus iiere. This would mean that the running sheds and workshops would be removed from Aramoho to Hawera and Hawera would be the terminal for all points. The- facilities at the present station could be extended, but that would, be only adding new cloth to .an old garment, and'the same trouble would crop up again. Further the Tawhiti crossing' could not be touched until the formation work of the big scheme was almost completed, as the solution was to sink a double track Btt to 10ft below the present : eve! and build an overhead brido-e foi* the road. The £20,000 now mentioned would just about nay for the earth foi mation work of the new scheme. Business men interviewed are all agreed that the present yards and accommodation are absolutely inadequate ior the requirements of Hawera, On, June ] 9 of this year the Hawera Chamber of Commerce received a letter f rom the General Manager of Railways the concluding sentence of which was:! Hie advisability in connection with, this road crossing (referring to the lauhiti crossing) will be obviated by the rearrangement of-the station and yards now in hand.”

Two other prominent peoole approached expressed disappointment at the proposed total expenditure at Hawera one stating that when a conference with. th« Department’s representatives was held some time ago the impression gained bv the Hawera representatives was that the work was regarded by the • Department as urgent, and that a'start would be made m the near future. Both these gentlemen considered that it was necessary for Hawera and district to the position as far as possible.