MR. MYER’S VISIT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 141, 31 May 1912, Page 4

MR. MYER’S VISIT.

The visit of the Minister for Railways to this district has caused considerable Mr. Myers is not a Minister free from mealymouthed promises, but his replies to requests convey the impression that he means business. The ■ matters brought under his notice in Wellington are not new, and have previously been commented upon. It is, however, to be hoped that the Minister was able to appreciate the suggestion for the alteration to the plans of the proposed East Coast railway- embankment. From every point of view it is desirable that the alterations suggested should be made, and it was fortunate that -the officers of the Department were present with Mr. Myers to see for themselves the wisdom of keeping the line out from the hill, and making the widening of a busy thoroughfare possible. An important matter was also brought under the Minister’s notice at Hastings in the form of a request for a new railway station. While heartily endorsing the Government’s policy- of cutting down expenditure upon public buildings with the object of devoting the money to the development of the back country, we must strongly support the request for a new station. The present building is altogether inadequate for the requirements of the town. It was- built for a town with a population of a few hundreds and cannot in any way properly serve the wants of the 6286 people in the borough and the large country population in the immediate vicinity- of the town. The Department has secured the land necessary for the erection of a station and yards of a size to fill the requirements of the present-day- trade and traffic, and it is time Government gave the matter serious attention. It is no use tinkering- with the present buildings. A new station should be built and room provided for dealing with the rapidly-increasing traffic. At present shunting operations are carried on with considerable inconvenience and danger to thp public. What has been said about the danger from shunting at Miller’s road crossing. Napier, can be said with increased emphasis of Hastings and as the Minister has had an opportunity- of obtaining personal knowledge of the conditions we may look with confidence for the improvements asked for. The suggestion put forward by- the chairman of the CountyCouncil for joint action in connection with the railway embankment has - been freely discussed before now, and, we can only' hope that aS a business man Mr. Myers will realise the benefit to be derived from co-operation with the local bodies. Joint action means a big saving in cost to all concerned.