ALTERNATIVE WANTED.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160730, 17 August 1920, Page 4

ALTERNATIVE WANTED.

In their commendable enthusiasm, the opponents of the Racecourse as a site for a railway station, have entirely failed to suggest an alternative that would be acceptable to the people of Wanganui. One speaker said last evening that there was plenty of land outside of Wanganui for several railway stations, but apparently did not think it necessary to indicate a single one of these spots which would be acceptable to either the public or the business community of which he himself is a member. Another speaker said “a way out should be found from the impasse between the Harbour Board and the Railway Department,” but carefully refrained from attempting to find it himself. We might have refrained from drawing attention to the attitude of these gentlemen had it not been for the fact that particular stress was laid by several speakers upon the necessity for the ratepayers giving the Council a lead and telling them what the citizens want. ' That being the case, we would have expected these gentlemen to have given us something constructive; but, it is rather strange, that while agreeing with the need of a constructive .lead to the Council, they failed to practice what they preached. Apart from all questions of sentiment or prejudice, the public have to face certain cold facts. Those facts are as follows: The Railway Department has notified the Harbour Board that unless another station is provided, it will require the whole of the reclamation and wharf. In that event, the Board would have to face an expenditure of £50,000 or £60,000 in providing wharfage and shed accommodation. That expense can be obviated if the station is removed to the Racecourse or some other site which will be acceptable to the public and the business community. The only other site deserving of serious consideration is that suggested in the “Herald” a few weeks ago by Mr p. Harkness, on the flat at the end of London Street beyond the southern end of St. John’s Hill. This has many points to recommend it, and as an alternative to the Racecourse, is far ahead of Wanganui Hast,