TIMARU’S RAILWAY FACILITIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18350, 22 August 1929, Page 8

TIMARU’S RAILWAY FACILITIES.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DioCossi^i'i. Reierence to the visit to Timaru on Saturday last of ine aiWiSlei of Railways (Ron. W. B. i ave*.ei>, was made at last nignt s meet**** of ine oour.cil of the Cnamber ol ouJi.Oierce by tne president tMr F. o. onmnpton). Tne Piesident saia uun 1.. e Chamber had oeen e..ueuvcuiii.g lor some consiueraoie time past to piets on tne Railway Department the necessity of improving tne existing station, it* facilities and conveniences, in addition to alteration to the railway yards, in order to ooviate tne necessity, as matters stood at present, of passenger* crossing the main line in order to board the slow passenger trains; and last, out not ieast, the absolute necessity for remedying the existing state of affairs surrounding the shunting arrangements now in vogue at the Strathallan Street crossing. The lay of the lines at the crossing, and the consequent shunting arrangements in thi* particular area were not only a menace to life, out entailed a serious waste of Lime to the commercial and travelling public. The Chamber had at last had the opportunity of voicing its views on the matter, this being at a deputation arranged by the Mayor (Mr W. Angland). which waited on the Minister of Railways (Hon W. B. Taverner), ana the General Manager of Railways (Mr H. H. Sterling), on Saturday last. Mr Ehrimpton said that several leading citizens spoke supporting the suggested improvements, and of the necessity of widening the existing station platform. The Minister’s reply, boiled down, was to the effect that at thi* juncture, at any rate, his Department was charv of nromulgating any work that wuold not be of a revenue producing nature. However, he agreed that tne improvements were necessary, and that he would give his sympathetic* support to the claims of Timaru when the estimates were being f'amed next year. The Minister, stated that improvements to the extent of £*2ooo would be put in hand at once, but as the Chamber was aware, that amount had already been voted (when Mr Rolleston was Member for the District). so thev would understand that in the meantime, the deputations requests were not conceded with the exception that the Minister promised to give them favourable consideration later on. Mr G. H. Andrews said that Mr Sterling had practically promised that a scissors crossing would be put in so that the suburban trains could leave from the main platform immediately after the departure of the express trains. The Minister had also intimated that a resurvev would be made of the lines in the vicinity of the crossing. Mr J. M. Jenkins said that the North Island would always receive a greater share of the money available, and he suggested that some effort should be made to get South Island bodies to Join ud and press for their just dues. Mr P. B. Foote said they were far too prone to ask the Government to spend money simply for the sake of spending. He was of opinion that the station and accommodation w’ere adequate for the immediate needs. There was a tendency on the part of Chambers of Commerce to ask for money simply to see it spent in the district, and while that continued, taxation would increase.

Mr Andrews considered that while thev might be able to press for a new station, there was heed for improvement in other directions, particularly at the Strathallan Street crossing. Mr Foote said that he was not referring to the railways in particular, but to things in general. Mr W. H. Orbell said that they had not to watch one engine, but two or more. It w'as a wonder there had not been several fatalities. The crossirg keeper could not watch all the engines. Mr G. D. Virtue asked if there was any protest they could make against the reception which w’as accorded the requests of the town. Mr Andrew's said the only thing they could do was to urge on the Minister that the re-survey be proceeded with immediately The report was adopted, and the president was thanked for his report. Mr Jenkins said that he would like to see the matter taken a step further. The secretary (Mr J. Lesgott), asked if Mr Jenkins suggested that a South Island body would be successful in securing for Timaru what was wanted. Mr Jenkins replied that urgent works were required in other centres, and one big body would carry a good deal of weight. Mr Foote: "If any town needs a new station it is Wellington.” Mr Jenkins: "The North Island again.” The president: “We must look at it nationally.” Mr Virtue: “The sooner we drop this North v. South argument the better. If it came to a fight, I know who w'ould win.” The discussion w*as not pursued further.