Protest Against Removal Of Kirikopuni Railway Station

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1939, Page 12

Protest Against Removal Of Kirikopuni Railway Station

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] DAHGAVILLE, This Day. As a result of the recent statement by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, that the department

proposed to lift the “Balloon Loop" at Kirikopuni, and the proposal to remove Kirikopuni railway station to a site t Paradise about three miles neUrer Dargavillc, a meeting of Upper Wairoa farmers was held at Tangitcroria, Mr A. A. McLachlan, president of the Upper Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, presid-

| Messrs T. Mitchell, general managI er of the North Auckland Farmers' Co-operative, Ltd., and A. P. Massey, ; manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., gave it 'as their opinion that the amount of business being put through the Kirikopuni yards would not warrant their re-erection at the new station site. Even if the station was shifted they were of the opinion that the stockyards would not be taken out of the district. Mr McLachlan stated that he had information that the proposed site was on a portion of properties owned by Messrs J. Hempels and C. Dunn. The cost of removal and re-erection of the station at this site would be in the vicinity of £30,000. Speaking on behalf of the Mangakahia settlers, Mr T. N. Blake, of Nukutawhiti moved the following motion: “That this meeting of settlers considers that the proposals to remove the Kirikopuni railway station will be detrimental to the interests of the farming community, and also to the revenue earning capacity of this branch of the railway.” The motion was carried. Committee Appointed. A committee, comprising Messrs T. N. Blake. W. Wilson, E. V. Wilson, H. Cates and J. Nash, was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. It was urged that the Minister be requested to meet settlers on the spot. The committee was also instructed to have a petition circulated in the district protesting against the removal of the station, and to seek the support of the members of Parliament for Kaipara, Marsden 'and Bay of Islands. The branch line from Waiotira into Kirikopuni station is controlled and operated by the Railways Department. That portion known as the “balloon loop,” and the balance of the section into Tangowahine, about 10 miles, has not been taken over by the Railways Department, but is operated by the Public Works Department, whose trains connect with the railway services at Kirikopuni station.