THE NGAIO CROSSING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10851, 17 March 1921, Page 10

THE NGAIO CROSSING

MEED FOR SUBWAY DEPUTATION WAITS ON THE FRI-ME MINISTER. CONFERENCE SUGGESTED. Tho urgent need lor a subway ut tbo Ngaio railway station, and oi’ an overhead bridge at lviiandall<ui, was urged upon tho Frime Miniate rby a deputation coudsU.uq: o£ Mr IE 4.- L. Fynneberg (representing tho Ngaio Ratepayers' .Association), Mr T. Forsyth (cinurnian of the Education Hoard), and Mr Eon McKenzie (outlying districts committee. City Council). hiio deputation was introduced by Mr IE A, Wright, M.P.

Mr Lynnebeig pointed out that the present level crossings constituted a danger to some 150 school children who passed over the tracks on the way to and from school four times daily, as well as. to numbers of other pedestrians. During the last three years ..there had been three accidents on the line in that Ideality. It was quite evident ..that something would have to be done to avoid tho danger. Tlie road* he pointed out, wa-s in existence before the railway had been constructed, and ho therefore considered the onus for -providing safe facilities for crossing the line lay upon the Railway Department. Mr T. Forsyth-supported Mr Lynneberg’s remarks. He quite realised the difficulties with which the department had to contend, and that it was olive to the danger that was threatened to tho school children.

Councillor McKenzie, in stressing the need for su!bway and overhead facilities, said that the menace was largely due to the fact that Ngaio and Ivhanclallah were the passing places for up and down trains, caused by the present congestion at the Wellington terminus. The City Council, he felt sure was willing to attend Jo the approaches to the proposed tsubway at Ngaio. Mr Massey: What would be the cost of tho ‘approaches? Mr.McKenzie expressed the opinion that it would be in excess of the cost of putting in the subway. Air Massey (to M.r R. W. McVilly, General Manager of Railways): Why not go on with the work , Mr McVilly said that it had been the principle in the past for the local body concerned to pay half the cosf. and tho department the other half. Air McKenzie suggested that as a means of conserving expenditure upon a new overhead bridge for Kliandallah, the department could utilise the present disused bridge at the old Te Aro station. Air McVilly said that there were claims for similar facilities in hand by ; the department from a great many other stations. The Ngaio station, he said, was not in the most suitable but it was the 'best that was available at the time it was constructed. If an island platform were constructed something like .£IO,OOO would have to be spent. He suggested that the engineers of the Railway Department and of the City Council should confer in matter.

Mr Forsyth asked if the erection of the new Wellington railway station would relieve the congestion. Mr McVilly: I am afraid it will not. The Prime Minister, replying to the deputation, said he thought a solution of the difficulty might be found if the officers of the two departments conferred and came to an arrangement in the matter, That, of course, would take a little time, but he thought it was the only fair method of settling the question. Ho was sure tie Government would accept whatever decision they arrived at.

The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke), who was unable*to be present at the deputation owing to his having a civic reception for visiting Oddfellows, sent a letter to Mr Massey stating that, while recognising the work as a national one, he was prepared to urge its. necessity before the CityCouncii andj get the council to assist in the formation of the approaches.