NEW RAILWAY STATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 10

NEW RAILWAY STATION.

FIRST WEEK PAY'S USE. / ' MUCH PUBLIC INTEREST. , MINOR HITCHES OCCUR. SUBURBAN TRAFFIC FUTURE. The first full day's operation of the new railway station passed off quite well yesterday, with only such minor troubles as might bo expected after an important change-over. Both the public and the station staff were unfamiljar with the spacious new building, but (his was only natural, and undoubtedly will right itself in a day or two. Some of Ibo suburban trains were despatched late—in one case as much as half an hour. This was due to small defects in the signalling and telephone systems, both of which had been affected by the change-over, the telephone system being an entirely now automatic one replacing the old magneto apparatus. The derailment of a shunting engine at some points in the yard caused a little delay in the departure of the limited express, but/the trouble was soon remedied.

Passengers who arrived by tho morning Main Trunk expresses and suburban trains had no difficulty in the new surroundings, us it was only a matter of getting themselves and their belongings out of the station. Tho arrangements for taxis at tho arrival platform wero quite satisfactory and tho suburban travellers readily found their way through the subways to the concourse and so to tho main entrant. Tho Wrong Platform. At the fivo o'clock rush there was a little confusion. Most of the people stopped and eagerly scanned the train directory. but some did not, and eventually found themselves on the wrong platform. The consequence was several wild scrambles across tho ballast from one platform to another. It was quite against the rules and would have brought down all kinds of wrath if done in the old station, but this time tho officials sensibly pretended not to notice.

A good tram service was maintained *ll day between the station and Ponsonbv. with extra cars to and from the Queen Street corner at rush hours. It seemed to be well patronised, but at five o'clock suburban residents nearly all arrived on font in a steady stream. Apparently the . ofneo workers among them did not mind a walk of half a mile or so on a fine, cooj afternoon. Occasional trams were crowded, but others wore almost empty. The Transport Board had an inspector at tho front door, keeping an exact tally of passengers throughout tho day. Upon this and others taken later the ultimate nature of the tram service will no doubt depend. Steam Shovel at Work. A good deal of work was in progress yesterday outside the station. The plateJaying gang was still busy on tho embankment below the Parnell bridge and will have plenty to do for some days yet. Tho steam shovel continued to eat away the bank between the two main entrances, the spoil being deposited along tho northern boundary of Beach Road. Concreting gangs completed a strip of roadway across tho old tracks at each entrance and left it to harden up. More platelayers busied themselves in tearing up the tracks and removing sleepers. Wcrk upon the stone war memorial in the 'forecourt had been suspended, but will no doubt bo resumed shortly. The garden is to be properly formed later with grass, flowers and trees. An arrangement has been made with the City Council's parks committee for its future maintenance, in return for an annual payment by the Railway Department. Inside the building little had to be dorje, except in the upstairs offices, where the staffs were unpacking documents and getting furniture into place. This work is about two days ahead of schedule and it is expected that all departments will be in their now oIFk-ps by to-morrow oven-

The station post office was opened yesterday morning and was used by a number of travellers. It handles all classes of business, even money-order and savings bank transactions. Doubtless warehouses and factories in the neighbourhood will find it a distinct convenience. // Suburban Traffic Affected.

The dining room and tearoom v<erc fairly well patronised, considering that it was their first regular dss\ A certain number of non-travellers sampled the mid-day and evening meals, and were well satisfied with the service. The barber's shop was fairly well patronised, although operations upon the heads and faces of clients were a little interrupted by sightseers, who insisted 011 passing through to have a look at the new bathrooms beyond. The bookstall seemed to be doing a good trade in ice cream and orange drinks, as well as in magazines, confectionery, f*u it and tobacco. What effect the tiew station will have upon suburban traffic cannot bo stated until details of ticket sales over a period nre.' available. ft was reported yesterday that the Auckland Bus Company, which runs services to and from Henderson, Glen Eden and New Lynn, had considerable extra patronage from workers who usually travel by train, arid was obliged to tranship some passengers to an extra bus at New Lynn 011 one inward trip. The workers wero concerned, apparently, about the increased train fares as well as about the distanco from the new station to Queen Street. At Avon dale, which is within tlio 10-mile zone of unaltered charges for workers' weekly tickets, tlio I ransport Hoard's feeder btfses also carried more passengers than hitherto. The skeleton suburban train service over the Westfield deviation was inaugurated yesterday, and attracted a moderate number of passengers., It is recognised that settlement, along the portion of this route between Auckland and Parimure is yet in its infancy, and 110 largo volume of business can- be expected for some time.