KITCHENER STREET CROSSING

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9402, 24 March 1909, Page 4

KITCHENER STREET CROSSING

A deputation, consisting of Messrs R. K. Simpson (chairman of Rangitikei County Council), F. Purnell (President of Chamber of Commerce), and T. H. Eredin (Marton Borough Council) was introduced by Mr Newman, M.P., to the Eon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, on Monday, the 22nd inst The members of the deputation briefly addressed the Minister and particularly pointed out that improved access for wheeled traffic and a passenger subway from Kitchener Street, were urgently required. The Minister, in reply, agreed that improved access to the Marton Railway Station was required, and he was prepared to assist in the alternate schemes submitted to him as follows: 1. He had authorised the construction of an overhead footbridge from Kitchener Street to the platform at an estimated, cost of £SOO. Subways bad been asked for at various stations throughout the Dominion, notably at Christchurch, but he had declined to grant any of these requests unless the residents or local authorities agreed to. pay the difference in cost. The subway at Marton Station to connect with Kitchener Street upon the same scale as the present subway was estimated to cost £I2OO. 3. The utmost he was prepared to authorise for the proposed overhead bridge and road for wheeled traffic connecting with Kitchener Street was, in addition to giving the land, half the estimated total cost, viz , £IBOO- If this proposal were adopted the overhead bridge for foot passengers would be abandoned. He would have no objection to the Council undertaking the construction of this road if public tenders were called.

B. Ab an alternative, in the event of the District Engineer reporting favourably as to the suitability of a level crossing at Pipae Street, he would authorise and provide the crossing at that point. The uounty Council would be required to pay the cost of forming and metalling the approaches thereto, and he would in the event of this crossing being decided upon, construct the overhead footbridge from Kitchener Street, or subway if those interested would pay the difference in cost, [estimated at £3OO. RE WATER SCHEME.

The deputation then brought forward the question of water supply at Marton Station. Mr Newman explained the present position. Mr Millar, in reply, said that he would prefer the proposals be reduced to writing and submitted to him by she Marton Borough Council. His Department had entered into many contracts pt a similar nature at various rates'per 1000 gallons. In the present instance Is per 1000 gallons was indicated as being the price the Department would be prepared to pay.