TE ARO STATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6138, 19 February 1907, Page 5

TE ARO STATION

IS IT REQUIRED ? PUBLIC CONVENIENCES. THE MINISTER'S VIEW. An “old-time” question, the abolition of Te Aro railway station, was again brought under the notice of the aoting-Promier yesterday by a deputation from tho AVellington Chamber of Commerce. This matter has been the' subject of representation by the Chamber, and correspondence with the Government, on various occasions. Tho train service between Te Aro and Thorndon has been considerably reduced, but tho Chamber feels that jin the public, interest generally there is now ho necessity for the service, in view of the tramway facilities offered by the t.lty Council between the points mentioned. Tho Hon. AV. Hall-Jones reminded tho deputation that since the last representations were made to him by the Chamber on this question the trains had been reduced. He confessed that ho had not personally felt the groat inconvenience connilained of by the running of this service through an important business part of the city. Moreover, they must not lose sight of the development that was going on at that end of the city by the erection of a dock, and in this connection no one could say what tho requirements of the future might be. The service at the present time comprised only workers’ trains and the mail trains. _ Last voar 6000 season tickets were issued from To Aro. It would, in his opinion, he a wrong thing to take away from people conveniences which they now enjoyed. . ■ . Mr Aitkeq; One of the complaints is that Te Aro is the terminus of the mail train, and that it only waits live minutes at Thorndon, the central depot. Mr Shirtcliffe said To Aro station now occupied a large area of ground which could be utilised very much more profitably to the State. The Chamber did not advocate any curtailment of. conveniences, but their contention - was that tho traffic should be centred at Thorndon. The objection to the workers being compelled to take out tramway tickets from Te Aro to Thorndon ..if the service were abolished could possibly bo met by asking the City Council to honour the railway pass over this short journey, in compensation for tho benefit to tho city by the cessation of the train service running through a very busy part of it. - Tho Hon. AV. Hall-Jones said ho could hot favour tho proposal- for the abolition of tho service. In his opinion the wisest course was to reduce tho service as far as possible and await- developments—the increase in population, tho dock works, etc. He did not think the danger of accident was any greater than at AVillis street or Royal Oak tramway corners. He was surprised to learn that sufficient time was not allowed passengers to take their seats by the mail train at Thorndon. Ho would have tho matter looked into, for that could easily he got over. Mr Aitken: In Dunedin people are allowed half-an-hour in which to take their seats; at Thorndon, only five minutes. In consequence, many take a cab and book at Te Aro. ask you to make Thorndon tho terminal station.