Let Us Keep Our Railway Line

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 291, 9 December 1936, Page 4

Let Us Keep Our Railway Line

DEVIATION A BAD MOVE. OPINIONS OF A PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION. Tlie retaining of the railway lino through the centre of the city has a champion in Mr. F. J. Oakley, who gave voice to his opinions at a meeting of the Terrace End Progressive Association last evening. ‘"lt would be a shame to see the railway removed from the town,” he said. "‘There is something noble about a steam engine pulling a number of carriages filled, with people. The rail car is also a "raceful sight and I would be sorry to see the deviation gone on with,” Mr. Oakley added. He also voiced a desire to see the line beautiful and stated that there was no reason why arms could not be erected to drop across the crossings when trains were approaching, just as they had in England. With the crosisngs so protected there would be no need for the trains to whistle. Further, it was not beyond possibility for engineers to devise a scheme for partly lowering the line at the P.O. and through the Square. To remove the railway would be to the disadvantage of tho town as people passing through saw the beautiful Square. He knew of some who, after first viewing the gardens from a train, had decided to live in Palmerston North. If the railway were taken outside, tho city would bo side-tracked. Mr. Oakley thought that if the 50,000 Club got in and beautified, it would be doing a great service to the city. “What is the 50,000 Club doing?” Mr. Oakley asked. “It has interested itself in affairs at Opiki, the restarting of the deviation and other matters outside tho town, but very little inside. The speaker also asked how many accidents had occurred in the city? For overyone inside there had been ten in the district outside, ho said, answering his own question. Mr. R. Cousins: Taking the line outside won’t prevent crossing accidents. Tho chairman thought the Government ivas seized with a knowledge that the line was dangerous to a certain degree and would assist with tho fencing. Mr. H. J. King: Has the association any policy regarding the deviation?

The chairman: I don’t think we are unanimous on the matter.

It was finally decided to write the city council asking them to request the department to fence in the line from the Post Office to Terrace End station, with safe-guarding rails at tho crossings.