CHANGE OF RAILWAY STATION QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5177, 20 June 1878, Page 2

CHANGE OF RAILWAY STATION QUESTION.

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the committee appointed by the public meeting oa Monday afternoon last, was held yesterday in the Insurance Buildings, and the following gentlemen were present:—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs. Wallis, Macfarlane, and Dignan, M. H. R. s, Dr. Parchas, and Messrs. Coupland, J. P. King, VV. Ladder, J. Neirmaa. J. M. Lennox, F. Larkins, J. Smith, Brown, J. Thompson, Hewia, Craig, T. Morriu. W. Ejre. Mr. J. P. King was appointed secretary.—On the motion of Mr. Larkins, seconded by Mr. Newman, it was resolved, " That the strength of the committee be not more than 40 in number." The following gentlemen were then added, bringing the committee up to it 3 full number :—" Messrs. Murray, Aicken, C. A. Atkin, Close, Peacock, Morrison, Winter, Binney, Wiseman, Sibbin, Williams, Craig, Jaa. Dickey, Cosgrave, J. T. Garlick, C. B Stone, and Eyre."—The Chairman stated that the meeting was called ia accordance with the views of several of the committee, who thought it advisable that a sub-committee should be appointed to interview Messrs. Lawsoa and Conyers, and ascertain from those gentlemen if the Government had instructed them to have the railway station removed from its present site to the foot of Queen-street, as he (the chairman) understood such was the case. Mr. Larkins said the Government were already pledged to bring the railway to the end of the wharf, and if there were much discussion on the subject it eight be put forward as an excuse to set aside the whole affair. He suggested a curved line, starting from the Domain tunnel round to Stanley-street, thence by tunnel under the Barrack Hill, and through to the upper part of Queen-street. This might be carried out at a slight cost, as the proposed line would pass through land chiefly owned by the Government. It was then proposed and carried that the followiug gentlemen form the sub-committee : The Mayor, Dr. Purchas, Messrs. Newman, Thomas Morrin, and J. M. Lennox, with instructions to meet the Government Engineers, Messrs. Conyers and Lawson, to ehew them the various localities proposed, and report upon the same.—A desultory conversation then ensued as to the most suitable locality for the stations, in which Mr. J. S. Macfarlane stated his opinion that the present ineetiug would be of little good, as the money had been voted to bring the railway to the foot of Queen-street, and if the matter was again brought before Parliament, a year or two might be wasted in deciding upoa the site. It behoved them to get the work done as quickly as possible.—Mr. Lennox reminded those present that they were elected to have the railway station removed to a t more central site, as the one at the foot of Queen-street would be utterly useless.—Mr. King urged that the site at the foot of Queen-street wa* the most eligible, as the laud, which is now sea, would be rilled in from tho present station to the watermen's steps, thereby making a valuable block of land useful for railway purposes. The passengers would then be brought near Q'leeu-sireet, and the shipping could have rails lail upon the wharf, aud tlie fi*x, wool, and other produce could be directly delivered from the VVaikato. There would also be more room than if the station were removed up town.—it was subsequently proposed by Mr. Laikius that no more discussion be car ried oa upon the subject, but tiis.t tho subcommittee meet for a short time.—Prior to the dispersion of the members, his Worship the Mayor stated that the City Council had paid the rent of the Theatre Koyal for the use of it on Mouday last, but henceforth ali expenses would have to be defrayed by voluntary contributions.