A SUGGESTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 1811, 31 December 1912, Page 3

A SUGGESTION.

To the Editor M. D. T. Sir,—l notice in certain quarters that there is an agitation to block the proposed railway alterations to have an island platform. I consider when finished an island platform will easily be able to cope with the traffic for many years to come It is suggested in the quarters referred to that a pasesnger station should be built in Church Street, one of the most insane unbusiness-libe ideas ever put in print. I would like to know how they would get a train consisting of 15 or 20 coaches from the Square into Church Street or vice versa.

To do that would necessitate an impossible right-angle turn at the end of Coles' buildings, and another of the same kind at the engine sheds to get on to the main line again, and even if that were possible it would mean the shifting and blocking up the whole of the goods traffic and wasting a lot of pubic moneys for no good purpose. There is plenty of room on the present site to make an up-to-date two-storey station, with most of the officers' rooms upstairs. That would give more accommodation for the public. Below, the platforms could easily be connected by subways or by an overhead bridge, the latter being mostlv in use on large stations at Home. In conclusion I would suggest that the Government be allowed to close Cook Street crossing as they are willing to make a subway for foot passengers. That's all that is necessary, and allow them to complete a scheme that will be a boon to the town and the travel nerallv.—l am, etc., PROGRESS.