WELLINGTON'S STATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14984, 4 May 1912, Page 8

WELLINGTON'S STATION.

NEW BUILDING URGED.

NOT TO BE BEGUN JUST YET.

IBY TELEGRAPH. —press association.]

WEllington, Friday. A large representative deputation waited on the' Hon. A. M. Myers (Minister for Railways) to-day to urge the early erection of a new central railway station in Wellington. The Wellington City Council, Harbour Board, Education Board, Technical Education Board, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Industrial Association, Employers' Association, Shopkeepers' Association, Petone, Miramar, Ivarori, and Onslow Borough Councils, Hutt County Council, Victoria College Council, Trades and Labour Council, and the Wellington and PaJmerston North Chambers of Commerce were represented: and Messrs. Ronayne (general manager) and Whitcombe (district traffic manager) were present.

The promoters of the deputation, which was initiated by the City Council, had not invited the local members of Parliament to take part in the deputation, so those gentlemen waited on Mr. Myers last evening, when the Minister deferred his reply till after hearing the citizens' deputation.

The various speakers were unanimous in stressing the need for the immediate building of tho new station.

Mr. Mabin said that last year tho outward railway passengers from Wellington numbered 549,000, from Christchurch 413,000, from Auckland 549,000, and from Dunedin 346,000. The value of the goods sent by rail out of Wellington for tho year amounted to £260,000, from Auckland £223,000, from Dunedin £167,000, and from Christ-church £145,000. This showed that Wellington was the premier station.

The Quandary of Mr. Myers. In re-ply, Mr. Myers said that, with the assistance of his officers he had gone carefully into the matter. He could not see the justification of making the Minister for Railways also the Minister for Finance. As Minister for Railways it would give him great pleasure to have his name associated with the erection of such a building, but as Minister for Finance he had to hesitate in giving the answer to which the deputation desired. Of lata the necessity had arisen, not only in this centre but in others, for the erection of more up-to-date buildings. As far as Wellington was concerned the question brought under his notice was not new. His predecessor had given the matter his attention, and the Department's | officers had already famished their advice, and plans for the station were in exist- j ence. The officers had decided on a site. The matter had not been submitted to j Cabinet yet, but it would be at the earliest possible moment. The site chosen was between Featherston-street and Waterloo Quay, and fronting Bunny-street, with a single line to Te Aro. J Looking to the Future. He was quite in sympathy with the desire to have a building erectedas in the case of all public buildings— the {esthetic side would not be entirely disregarded. "I believe," he said, " that our public buildings should be a monument to our civic patriotism." As one who had taken some interest in town-planning he thought that before the new station had been finally decided upon a conference should take place between the Department, the City Council, and the Harbour Board, so that regard might be paid to the future development of tie city, and the systematizing of services. In the plans provision had been made for five platforms, two for arriving express trains, with a line on one side only, and a covered carriageway, and three with lines on both sides and covered ways. Bight trains could bo dealt "with at one time; and in addition there was provision for two extensions for suburban trains, making the station capable of accommodating 10 trains. The Question Deferred. He was not prepared to urge Cabinet to put the work in hand this year. He wished not for mere popularity, but to earn the respect of those who thought him worthy to hold his present position. (Hear, hear.) Large demands were being made upon the department for many works. Much of his sympathy was for the people in the back blocks, where better communication was needed. The subject of the new station would be gone into in the near future. He would suggest that the chief engineer and the chief traffic manager of the Department should be sent to Australia, and, if necessary, further, to get information to guide them in the erection of the new building. The station would cost £350,000 or £400,000, and for the initial requirements at least £250,000 would be needed. The building, when erected, would be one of tho most up-to-date railway stations in Australasia.