TWO OLD SHEDS!

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3599, 3 April 1924, Page 5

TWO OLD SHEDS!

MR MASSEY ON WELLINGTON’S STATIONS CANTERBURY'S RAILWAY REQUIREMENTS [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night A deputation so large that it could hardly be accommodated in the Ministerial room of the Government Building waited on the Prime Minister with a request that the Government should carry out improvements on the Christchurch -Lyttelton Railway that were included in the Hiley scheme. The deputation, which was described by Mr Massey as a “demonstration,” represented the whole of Canterbury. In the course of his reply, Mr Massey said there was an Impression that Canterbury had not got justice as compared with other parts of New Zealand, but even in railway matters Canterbury had not been neglected. Reference had been made to the goods-shcd, which he believed had been a great success and work had been done in the yards. “Did you ever see a railway station in Wellington? I never saw one,” exclaimed Mr Massey. A voice: There are two! Mr Massey: There are two old sheds. They have only one “hole in a hill” to Wellington from Wairarapa. “I mention that as a case in point. That is an urgent matter,” he added, “A start has been made, but it will take many years to finish. The land has also to be reclaimed for a station.” Auckland was very little better. The Minister of Public Works, Mr Massey added, had made a statement to him regarding urgent works during the coming financial year. He did not intend to give away that statement. He would recommend the Minister, however, to put this work into his list and to allow it to be proceeded with “as soon as possible.” So far as the electrification of the tunnel was concerned it was first a question of whether the present tunnel was to be duplicated or whether another one should bo put through th ehill. His own opinion was in favour of duplication, and until that had been done they oculd not make up their minds in regard to electrification. His own opinion was that this short piece of line should be electrified. In regard to Arthur’s Pass electrification there had been complaints but he understood that there was scarcely a hitch. Mr Witty, M.P., asked If Mr Massey could give a reply definitely within two months. Mr Massey said he would let them know before Parliament met.