RAILWAY STOCKYARDS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 August 1927, Page 11

RAILWAY STOCKYARDS

NEW SITE SUGGESTED. DEPUTATION MEETS DEPARTMENTAL OFFICIALS. Members of the Hawera Chamber oi Commerce and representatives of the various stock dealing firms interested met officials of the Railway Department this afternoon to discuss the matter of the railway stockyards, objection to the location of which has been raised for a considerable time bv residents near to the present yards. A suggestion for a removal to a more favourable site was put forward by the Departmental officials, and appeared to meet the approval of all present. This will involve the shifting of the yards to the west end of the station yard, and there they null be removed a considerable distance from Glover Road, involving the necessity of constructing a special access. The question of which . direction this should come from inf volved a little time in discussion., the majority of the deputation favouring a route, leading from Glover Road near the meeting of Wilson Street _ and Camberwe 1 ! Road, crossing the railway near there and leading back to the yard®.

The Departmental officials were Messrs E. Casey (North Isiand Divisional Superintendent), P. G. _Roussel 1 (Superintendent of Transportation, Wellington), G. J. Bertinshaw (Inspecting Engineer, Wellington), H. W. Beasley (District Engineer, Wanganui), ana P. H. Hartland (assistant District Traffic Manager, Wanganui). The deputation consisted of Messrs F. W. Horner, P. Bond, 11. S. Sage (representing the Chamber of Commerce), C. J Trotter. T. Ash (Farmers’ Co-op.;, T. H. Walker (Hawera Bacon Co.), 3 Candy (Kiwi Bacon Co.), M. C. Crighton (A. and P. Association). In introducing the matter, Mr. Casey said that the matter had received considerable attention from. the department, which had to consider the points of view of the residents of the district, the stock dealing firms and itself. Of course the second mentioned were the most concerned, and were the clients of the department, but the speaker understood that they would he prepared to agree to an alteration which would alleviate the nuisance and would not greatly affect them. He then exhibited a plan of the proposed position of the yards, and the party examined the site. Mr. Homer, who acted as spokesman for the deputation, siaid that while the proposed site might not be quite ideal from the residents’ point of view, he considered that it would he satisfactory to them. He raised the' question of access. The plan submitted showed provision for an. access from Scott Street (Nolantpwn). but the speaker pointed out that thi.s would involve the stock crossing the railway .line at the Ta.whiti crossing. He suggested that an entrance be made from Glover Boad. Mr. Casey said that it would he necessary to construct the entrance some distance to the west of the site in order to obtain a suitable place for crossing the line. This appeared to he even more .suitable to the' members of the deputation. Mr. Casey pointed out that it would be impossible to decide finally yet on the question of access, . but stressed that the Department should be allowed some' latitude in this matter.. It was not desirable that after a. route had been decided upon, this should be said to he unsatisfactory, as delay would naturally result. He could promise that it would be in the most suitable position in relation to the stockyard* Mr. Bond said that from the point of view of the residents, the further west the route were taken the better. In reply to a question from Mr Trotter, Mr Casey said that the Department could only guarantee to provide one access at present on account of the financial question. He suggested that if it was felt that an additional access were required the local bodies should be approached with a view to forming the route. Air Horner said that thu? department’s difficulties were appreciated, and those concerned would be willing to forego the second access for a time at any rate. Mr Walker suggested that as a considerable amount of stock came from, south and Tawhiti. the Scott Street access was preferab'e. Other speakers said that as the* greater amount of stock came from north, and owing to the faotl that southern stock had to come around the

town, the other route was desirable. The matter of the elimination! of the crossing was broached by 'Mr

Sage, but Mr Casey stated that this was a matter for the local bodies, Highways Board and the Railway Department to collaborate' in.

Mr Sage asked if the new situation of the yards would ease the shunting operations over the Tawlriti. crossing, but Mr Casey said that while it might ease it. this could never be eliminated. Mr Horner expressed appreciation to tliei officials for the manner in which they endeavoured to meet the situmt ion. AN APPRECIATION. Mr. C. CL Trotter, on behalf of the auctioneering and stock salesmen interests of the town and district, said that he could nob let so fitting an opportunity pass without expressing appreciation of the good service rendered by the local officers of the Railway Department to those shipping and receiving stock through the local railway yards. The railway officials spared neither time nor trouble, and it would not be possible to find a more helpful set of men. Whether day or night, the railway people were ready to render every assistance cheerfully. Mr Candy and Mr Walker, representing the pi;ir buyers, endorsed the statement of' Mr Trotter, it being iemarked that from tfie stationmaster down the officials were most courteous and helpful. Messrs Cascv and Roussell expressed the pleasure felt by the Departmental officers present ati iso generous an asknowledjnuent of the' services of the ITawera railway staff. The visiting officials left for various destinations, north and south, during ’the afternoon.