RAILWAY NEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14657, 18 April 1911, Page 6

RAILWAY NEEDS.

BIGGER GOODS SHEDS. NEW PASSENGER STATION. THE PARNELL TUNNEL. 'PxTßtic men in Auckland are expressing keen indignation at the continued neglect of the needs of the Auckland railway™ in regard to station accommodation for both passengers and goode. "Auckland has always been compelled to fight for all it get® from the Government," remarked the Mayor, Mr. L. J. Bagnall, when interviewed by a Hkbaxd representative. ''When we have numerous Wants we aro told there is only enough money available to do one of them, as in the caee of the Farnell tunnel, where wo were informed that if we got the tunnel we could not get the goods shed, and now it appeals as though we are not likely to get either of them within a reasonable period. In the meantime the traffic is growing, ami the difficulties are becoming more and more acute, vet the Government does nothing. The pushing on of the new lines of railway, such as the East Coast and the StratfordOngarue, working from the eouthein ends alone, appears to be part of th« same policy so far as the treatment of Auckland is concerned. Tho Auckland ends are being neglected, and Auckland is thus being deprived for many years to come of the benefits which are her rightful heritage. Why i the Government should treat us in i this way is hard to understand. There is, however, the hopeful outlook that as the population of the district is rapidly increasing it nuiet in the next, readjustment of electorates Iks given increased representation, and we shall be able to demand more equitable consideration of tho reasonable requirements of the district." Department's Mistaken Policy. In discussing the need for better facilities In the goods department at Auckland, Mr. John Fraser, joint manager of Messrs. Bycroft Bros., Ltd., eail there were three reasons for the harassing delays which were the daily experience of every merchant doing business with the railway. .The shed accommodation was inadequate, there were not sufficient waggons available, and there did not seem to be enough shunting power to kindle the traffic. It could-not be said that the congestion was of temporary occurrence, for day after day, there was practical proof that the difficulty was becoming greater, and of the urgent need for better fucilties. Tho city bad grown, and there had been a . corresponding expansion of its trade, but in its indifference to the just claims of Auckland, the Government bad ignored thwe fact*, and no attempt had been miula by the Department of Railways to provide reasonable facilities for handling IB business, which was brought to it in ever-increasing volume. M Apparently, the staff of the shed is sufficiently large," said Mr. Fraser, "and I believo the officers in charge do the best that can bo done with the facilities that are available, but there is a lack of system ill the methods in 'which the goods are handled. There is," added Mr. Fraser, "an urgent need for. an improvement on the present state of affairs, and since it seems unlikely that any result will be gained unless definite action is taken, I would suggest that representations should bo made, asking that ,:, a commissioner should be appointed to inquire into and report upon the actual needs oE the city so far as railway facilities tire concerned. Unnecessary Delay. The claims which the people, of Auckland have upon the Department- of Railways were summarised by Mr. J. H. Gunson, a member of the council of the Chamber of Commerce. .V'* There can be no question," said Mr. Gunson. in reference to the goods shed, "that the position to-day is acute, because the present facilities are quite inadequate.. . The condition is not of recent origin, for during several years past th© congestion has monthly become more apparent;"' Air Sat 'taut aa . Juno last .• a definite promise was given, by the Minister for,; Railway** that the necessary enlargement r WOTlid 'be made, - and While ' such changes cannot be evolved in a few* days, there seems •to be an ■ altogether . unnecessary delay in effecting the reform*. That there is an inadequacy of rolling stock was demonstrated on Thursday last in an absurdly convincing manner, for goods were being received for transport, and as there was no accommodation available they -were stacked in the yard and covered with tarpaulins. ... The " Minister is at present , negotiating with the Harbour Board for an increased area, and an eiteiwion of Quayetreet through the site at present occupied by ;the engine sheds, and this proposal ha* been agreed to. ' My own opinion is that Quay-street should continue direct' eastwards to Campbell'* Point, and that King's Drive should be closed," and the whole of the lands leased reacquired by the Railway Department, and .the railwav yards thrown into one extensive area. The present proi posal to acquire a further area of land on the northern aide of King's Drive is not satisfactory." There will always be the objection of heavy traffic crossing a public highway, and business could riot be conducted as satisfactorily as if the traffic was concentrated into one vard area. There is little doubt that the Harbour Board would co-operate in a scheme of this bind, ae it would be a vast city improvement. ' ; Kerr Station Heeded. ; Speaking of the passenger station, Mr. Gunson said that the fact that the existing accommodation was inadequate, although extensive alterations had been recently made, was apparent even to those who had no expert knowledge. Both the goods and the 5 passenger traffic are growing so enormously f that ; the Department never forecasting such expansion, is unable to 'cope*!, the great - volume. If the whole position was grappled with, and the question : approached in a businesslike way, toe difficulties might soon be removed and the \ required improvement# effected. If effect was given to his, suggestion for extending the railway yards, an up-to-date passenger station might.be erected to the eastward of Breakwater - Road. That thoroughfare was to be vastly improved, and there would be virtually direct access from the Railway Wharf. Mr. Gunson added that he was decidedly of opinion that the Parnell tunnel, should bo duplicated, and said if no satisfactory statement can be obtained or any indication given by the Department as to what it proposes to do in connection with these three matters, it should be a question for a public meeting To decide as to the best, means of moving further in the matter. The position now is intolerable. ___________■' ■