RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1561, 17 June 1920, Page 5

RAILWAY DEVIATION.

APPROVED BY CHA3IBER OF COMMERCE. The proposed deviation of the railway line in the vicinity of Palmerston North was the subject of discussion at the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce meeting- last evening. The chairman (Mr E. H. Crabb) outlined the position from the point of view of the Railway Department and the benefit accruing- fr > the town. He thought they would a;ree with him that no more revolutionary movement affecting the welfar • of the town had ever come before them. Their idea was to suggest to the Department, methods by w'.'.-h the facilities for the running 01" the town might be made to fit in with the proposal. While he had no doubt it would prejudicially affect some of the Chamber's members, he had not the slightest doubt that they would consider the interests of the whole of the town. For some years it had been impossible to get railway sidings for manufacturing businesses, and it would now be possible to provide these. There would be a certain shifting of values, but he did not think it would be as great as some people imagined. The business and residential centres of the town were now so settled that it would take more than the shifting of the railway to disturb them. The Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.) explained, by the aid of a map, the proposed route for the deviation. He pointed out that if the original scheme for spending £40,000 on the old .site were carried out, it was estimated that it would only suffice for five years with the increasing amounr of traffic. He mentioned that the area required at Rangitikei Street for the station and other appointments was about SO to 100 acres. Mr W. Park said there was no really reasonable objection to the scheme. Business people generally ag-reed that it was one of the best things that had ever happened to the town.

Mr J. M. Johnston also remembered other efforts which he had made personally to have the local railway conditions improved. The late Mr Buick had told him of it six years ago, and it was a pity it had not been carried out then. With regard to the Racing Club's interests, he said he had not the slightest idea what the committee thought, but he knew they did not wish to stand in the way of the progress of the_town. He pointed out that they would probably come to some arrangement in the matter. He took it that they were not bound to follow exactly the route laid down, which would be a very expensive route. He thought the best thing for the town would be to urge the Department to carry it out as soon as possible. In reply to Mr T. E. French, Mr Crabb said that where the railway crossed the road it was intended to raise the road and put bridges across. The Mayor said he did not think all the level crossings would be bridged, but they intended to urge that it should be done. He was sare the authorisation order would not meet with opposition from the Government. He urged upon them the necessity of taking the larger aspect for the benefit of the town and prophesised future extensions by way of suburbs. The scheme marked a new era in the history of Palmerston North and would make the town what it ought to, and would be —the biggest inland town in New Zealand. Mr Crabb then moved: "That this Chamber strongly supports the Borough Council in the decision of the Railway Department to remove the railway to the northern side of the borough as being in the best interests of the town, and urge the Department to carry out the work as soon as possible." Mr Johnston seconded the motion. Mr Young gave the resolution his hearty support, stressing the advantages accruing to merchants and manufacturers. The motion was carried. Mr Crabb moved: "That this Chamber, recognising the importance to the commercial and manufacturing interests of the borough of proper provision being made for siding access to the railway, desire the Council to consult with the Chamber during negotiations so that the commercial interests of the town may be fully protected." Speaking to his motion, the mover said he would have liked to have seen a piece of land acquired by the town and cut up into sections with siding access to every section. In the event of an influx of manufacturers to the town, there would be some inducement for them to settle here, if they could be offered electric light and power, water supply, gas, etc. The sections could be let on a six per cent, basis of rent for 40 years with the right of renewal. Such a scheme would be a big incentive for manufacturers.to come here. Mr H. L>. Collinson seconded the motion. He thought Cr Crabb's idea a good one, and said the town was splendidly situated for a manufactui*ing centre, as we could provide new sources of labour. He also drew attention to the saving in lives effected by the disposal of the level crossings, and prophesised the advent of electric cars to Palmerston North as soon as the railway was completed.

The motion was carried. On Mr Hodder's motion, it was decided that the Chamber should agree to arrange a deputation to wait on the Railways Committee if called iipon by the member for the district. Mr H. L. Young 1 brought forward a suggestion from Mr P. C. Freeth, who was unable to be present, that a branch line should be taken from the station to a central depot to be established in the town, with the object of avoiding - double handling of good:-? and the removal of gas works, etc. Mr Crabb expressed doubt as to the possibility of doing this, and said the Council recognised they would have to move the gas works altogether. Mr Johnston thought there might be a good deal in what Mr Freeth said. Mr Collinson considered that it would only save carting a few hundred more yards.

It was pointed out that the suggestion couiu be brought forward in the course of further negotiations.