STATION SITE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160725, 11 August 1920, Page 9

STATION SITE.

RACECOURSE OB KOTHIJiG OTHBK -SITES REPLY TO *WAN(Minn BEPETATION. (By-3?eiegraph—Special to ‘'HeraldF") WELLINGTON, August 10. ‘ Prom the remarks of the General Manager of Railways, Me McVilly, to a deputation of Wanganui representatives who waited upon him yesterday, in reference to the proposed new site at the Racecourse, it was apparent that the only site that would prove satisfactory to the Department, and which the Department considered would be satisfactory to the people of Wanganui, was the Racecourse site. The deputation, which was. introduced by Mr W, A. Veiteh, M.P., asked for immediate relief from the difficulties the Wanganui Harbour Board is faced with on the wharf pending a final settlement of the new railway station Kite. The deputation was private, but the following report was supplied subsequently-:—■ Mr BigneFl stressed the necessity for immediate relief on the wharf, pointing out that some of the port work which could be more advantageously done at Wanganui, had to be done at Castlenliff, at very considerable increased cost to shippers. Mr Bassett pointed out that in his opinion the Harbour Board had a moral right to the ownership of the present wharf and access thereto. He suggested that the Railway Department should take into its careful consideration the suggestion to establish the new station at Eastown or Aramobo, or at a site known as St. John’s, a site near St. John’s Station. Mr T. B. Williams (Mayor, and also a member of the Harbour Board) said the Board desired to work amicably with the Department, and get a satisfactory settlement with them as soon as possible on the selection of a site for the new station. He urged that in the meantime the Department should attempt to make some temporary arrangement which would relieve the undue pressure on the work at the town wharf. Mr Higgenbottom emphasised the urgent necessity for providing immediate relief, pointing out that in his opinion it would take five years to make, a new station on the Racecourse available, assuming that the site was fixed on. A lengthy and more or less informal discussion, took place ou the whole situation. MANAGER’S REPLY. Mr McVilly, in reply, said tlie Department was anxious to come to a, speedy and amicable settlement with the local bodies for the purpose of providing Wanganui with a first-class station and goods yard for the benefit of the town in general. He pointed out that the. Railway Department owned the present station yard, aud would be able to carry out its work there for quite a number of years without change, but realising that the present situation was causing friction between the Department aud the local bodies and general public of Wanganui, he conceived it te ly,> his duty, as General Manager of Railways, to take into his sympathetic consideration a suggestion made to the Department to construct a new station and yard on the Racecourse site. It had been suggested to him that the station should be established at Wanganui East. .From the Department’s point of view, Wanganui East would bo easy of selection, but that would probably involve the removal of the Eastown Workshops from "Wanganui, which, in his opinion, would be strongly resented by the people of Wanganui. Therefore, he'did not wish to do it. For technical reasons, he could not see his way clear to establish a station at "Aramobo. All the proposed sites had been carefully and exhaustively inquired into by his officers, and they had coma to the conclusion that the only site that would be satisfactory to the Department, and would at the same time give, the people of Wanganui an adequate and satisfactory railway service for a considerable time to conic, was the Racecourse site. He urged the people of Wanganui and the local bodies interested to make up tbeir minds as early as possible as to whether they would accept the Racecourse site. As far as he could judge, the only alternative would be that the Railway Department must remain where it is. APPEAL TO MINISTER RAILWAY DEPUTATION'S EFFORT. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald”). WELLINGTON, August 10. Following their unavailing interview with the General Manager of Railways, the deputation secured an interview with Mr Massey, Minister of Railways, the appointment being .arranged by Mr Veiteh, M.P., during the brief supper adjournment of the House of Representatives to-night. Mr Yciteh, introducing the deputation, put the position as it had developed during the interview with Mr McVilly, adding that the deputation thought the General Manager might make further inquiries, into the matter and see if something could be done te give relief earlier than could »o possible by waiting for a new railway station. Mr A. G. Bignell informed the Minister that the deputation hoped to get the General Manager to give temporary relief, so that shipping operations could be carried cm while the railway station waa being constructed. They had tried to find a solution of the station problem acceptable to the Department, because it would be a considerable time before a, new ...station could be built. Alcan while, they were all suffering inconvenience, and it meant seme years before a new station could be available. Meanwhile they were also lesing trade through the congestion of the port. The General Manager' had been quite straightforward, but he could not suggest, a way put of the difficulty, and they hoped the Minister could help them. Mr Massey: Can you make a suggestion yourselves? You arc trying te come to an agreement. Mr Higginbottom said the deputation thought the. marshalling yards eoukl be shifted to the extent of moving three or four lines along tire foreshore where it was necessary to build sheds, and giving them road access to them. Mr Massey; Where would you take them ? Mr Higgonbottom: That is a question for the Railway experts. We are asking you to consider the community A claim as against the. Railway Department to have some portion of the yards shifted. Thfere are some acres of land liehind the present engine sheds not being used. Mr W,-GL-Bassett detailed the history