RAILWAY STATION AND WHARVES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160734, 21 August 1920, Page 4

RAILWAY STATION AND WHARVES.

There were one or two points men tioncd by Sir A. G. Bignell at the conference last evening concerning the railway station site which cannot be too strongly emphasised. The financial aspect is one which has not been met fairly by the opponents of the Racecourse site. They have sought to cloud the issue by suggesting or declaring that the people of Wanganui will have to meet the heavy expenditure entailed by the proposed deviation, while the true facts cf the case are that the Railway Department is prepared to meet the whole of the expense. This assertion was made by Mr Bignell on the authority of Mr Veitch, but Mr Bassett expressed the opinion that it could not be accepted as a statement of what the Government intended to do. A telegram since received, however, by the chairman of the Harbour Board from the member for Wanganui confirms Mr Bignell’,s declaration. It is reasonable to opine that Mr Veitch would not say that he understood the Department would pay the cost of the deviation, including overhead bridges, unless he had some authority for the statement. Further, 1 opponents of the Racecourse she have raised the bogey of the peenh; of Wanganui having to pay a bigcompensation to the Jockey Club. The sum of £25,000 has been mentioned; but in view of the fact that for this amount, buildings and improvements on eleven acres of land —separated from the Racecourse proper, and held on a 42 years’ lease—costing from £35,000 to £40,000, may be secured, there is surely not much to complain about. The objectors, too,, very unfairly refrain from stating that unless another station site is available within the next five years or so, the taxpayers of Wanganui will have to meet an expenditure, not of £25,000, but of £50,000 —the estimated cost of new wharves and sheds, which will not require to be built if the station is shifted. So much, then, for the expenditure side of the question. Yet another point dealt with by Mr Bignell last evening was his reply to the objections raised that the Railway Department would not be satisfied with the 15 acres out of the 60 odd acres in the Racecourse proper (the 81 acres mentioned by Mr Bignell would probably include the Recreation Ground), but in a few years would require more. Mr McVilly states that 15 acres will serve the Department for 50 years. But, even should the Department require another 15 acres, thgl area (as we have repeatedly pointed out), could be reserved in close proximity so that the lungs of the town could be fully protected. These matters, however, are really all beside the point. At some time or other another station site must be provided ■ —to delay decision will but add to the cost of compensation for land. Neither the business people of Wanganui nor the community generally are prepared to penalise themselves for all time by shifting the station —passenger and goods—outside the town. It is for the objectors to the Racecourse site to suggest another that will meet with general acceptance, and assist the local bodies in the solution of a difficult problem. We would be pleased indeed if the cutting up ot the Racecourse could be _ avoided, but so far the only alternative which has been the subject of public agitation is Wanganui East, though the proposed site on London Street extension seems to merit further consideration.