NEW STATION SITE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160731, 18 August 1920, Page 4

NEW STATION SITE

PROPOSAL AGAIN BEFORE COUNCIL. The Race coarse proposal was again before the Borough Council last night, when a deputation appointed at Monday night’s public meeting presented the resolution protesting against it. Mr J. T. Hogan., in placing the resolution before the Council said that the deputation was not concerned with the selection of a new site, which it was considered was the duty of the Railway Department to decide upon. Mr G. McCaul, in urging the Council to deal with the matter at once, and bury the proposal deeply for all time, remarked that if the meeting on Monday day night was any guide, the proposal was extremely distasteful to the people. Mr W. G. Bassett asked the Council to preserve the Racecourse for the beautification of Wan zanui, and to consider tho patients in the hospital when discussing the proposal. Mr E. J. Foster also urged the Council to preserve the reserve for the use of future generations. The Racecourse was the oniy large reserve in the town, and he contended that the future welfare of the town should bo considered before business expediency. Mrs Comyns also put in an appeal to preserve the Racecourse for the use of the children. The Rev >. Jenkin spoke against utilising the Racecourse for a station, which step, he declared, would he a monstrous civic blunder.

Mr W. Young considered the proposal was against the best interests and welfare of the town, and it represented but a temporary solution of the railway difficulty, He said there was ample ground available in other parts of the town for a station.

Mr .). M. Speed expressed his disapproval of the proposal, and asked that whatever vva- done in connection with this matur should be dealt with openly. The Mayor assured the deputation that its request would receive every consideration. He asked tho deputation to consider the Department’s .schedule of fares and freights, which, in future discussion, would have a:: important bearing on the proposal. Cr fhgley asked wh-nher it was possible for the Council to come to a derision at once. The Mayor; What about the conference on Friday night? Cr. riigloy; If the Council was unanimous on this matter, would yon take a motion now? The Mayor: No. Ir. Burnett said that he considered, in courtesy to the adjourned conference, they should withhold the Council’s decision until after that meeting. The Mayor fto Cr. Siglev): Would you favour holding a public meeting? Cr. Sigley said he did not think any practical good would come out of such a meeting. It v - r.:.i only cause trouble. Cr. Aitken; X > more than Monday night’s meeting. Cr. Sigley said the public was waiting for the Council to give it a lead in this matter, and it was time it did so. A discussion then arose whether the Council should dismiss the proposal now or wait until after the meeting on Friday night, it being tdosed by the Mayor ruling that he would not accept a motion on this matter un.;l after the meeting.