RAIL DEVIATION

Southland Times, Issue 22073, 21 July 1933, Page 8

RAIL DEVIATION

SCHEME APPROVED SOUTHLAND LEAGUE’S ATTITUDE MAYOR CONGRATULATED The scheme introduced to the Invercargill City Council by his Worship the Mayor (Mr John Miller) last Tuesday night that, in order to avoid dangerous level crossings within the city, steps should be taken to effect a deviation in the Invercargill-Dunedin railway line, was approved by members of the Southland League when it was considered by that body at its meeting last evening. His Worship was complimented upon his far-sighted action and it was resolved that the league should co-operate with the City Council in urging the adoption of the proposal. In opening discussion on the matter, the Mayor said he had come along to the league meeting to explain his scheme and to solicit the support of the league. The question had been talked about for many years, but no definite move had ever been made. The City Council at its last meeting had passed the following resolution:—

“That in view of the number of dangerous level crossings’ within the city which crossings due to changing traffic conditions are a growing menace, the Minister of Railways be respectfully asked to consult his officers so that reports may be furnished to him with a view to effecting a deviation in the InvercargillDunedin railway line at present passing through the city; further, that the Town Clerk, in communicating with the Minister, point out that in the opinion of the council this work is of an urgent nature and suggest that consideration be given to the matter of diverting the existing line from the vicinity of Mill road in order to connect with the existing Seaward

Bush railway, thus doing away with the present crossings.” Continuing, the Mayor said he had no doubt it had struck the league members, as it had him, that there were too many crossings within the city boundaries. Such crossings were an increasing danger. Some comment had been made in the Press regarding the difficulty of removing certain sidings, but that, he considered, could be overcome. If the deviation was to be made, the present time, when labour was somewhat cheap, would be most opportune. Some councillors had suggested an elevated railway, but to him the scheme he suggested seemed a good one. The chairman (Mr W. Hinchey) said he thought the Mayor should be complimented on bringing the matter forward. The present certainly seemed an opportune time to push forward the project which would mean employing quite a number of men. He did not think the job would be a very expensive one.

The Mayor suggested that if the league approved, the support of local members of Parliament should be sought.

Mr A. W. Jones: We should all congratulate the Mayor on bringing the matter forward. He has shown statesmanship and I like to see a man taking a long view. The scheme certainly has to come some day. Mr C. S. Longuet: Yes, it must come.

Mr Jones then moved that the Mayor’s scheme should be approved and that the league should support the resolution to the Minister of Railways and should also ask the local members of Parliament to co-operate in the matter.

In seconding, Dr J. A. Pottinger said it appeared that the only other alternative in another 20 years would be to erect overhead bridges over all the streets at considerable expense. An elevated railway would also entail an enormous expense besides being a most unsightly project. Mr J. H. Tattersfield said he considered the scheme was a practicable one. Moreover, its adoption would help to speed up the trams, as at present they had to make compulsory stops near the railway lines. Such stops, he argued, were responsible for heavy wear and tear. The accepted practice was io obviate as many level crossings as possible. “I agree, too,” he said, “that the Mayor should be congratulated on bringing forward such an important scheme.” The resolution was carried unanimously.