STATION SITE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160734, 21 August 1920, Page 5

STATION SITE

THE TWO ALTERKATIVES RACECOURSE OE NEW WHARVES. PEOPOSAL FUETHEE DISCUSSED. The choice that lies before the people of Wanganui in The selection of a site for a new railway station was clearly placed before the conference of representatives of local bodies last night by Mr A. G. Bignell, chairman of the Harbour Board, who declared that there were only two issues: either the Eacecourse was accepted, or else the Harbour Board should build new wharves and sheds on its own property below the engine sheds. The Mayor, Mr T. B. Williams, presided, and expressed his regret that no reply had been received by the railway authorities to the requests of the deputation. Mr Bignell, in reporting upon the interview with the railway authorities, stated that Mr McYilly, the General Manager, informed the members that no immediate relief could be given on the foreshore, and the Board would have to do its best under the present circumstances. Eeferring to the St. John’s site, the deputation was informed by the Manager that this, as well as the Aramoho site, was not suitable for railway purposes. The Manager told them that the only site which was suitable to the Department was the Eacecourse, and this, being near the wharf, would facilitate the working of shipping and railway business. OP CONCEEN TO ALL. Proceeding, Mr Bignell said the proposal was not only a matter for the Harbour Board, but for the whole ratepayers of the town and district. If the Board was not assisted to bring about a satisfactory result, it would not be the Board that would suffer, but the people. The Department could carry on on the present site for the next ten or fifteen years if all the space was made use of. Eeplying to another question, the General Manager said that the Department could provide facilities for the railway for the next 50 years on the Eacecourse. REPLY TO CRITICISM. Referring to the complaint that the noise from the new station would interfere with the patients in the Hospital, Mr Bignell said that the institution was a third of a mile from the proposed site. The prevailing wind was towards the river, so the smoke nuisance would not be great. Nobody at present objected to the trains rushing through the town, because railways were essential. Mr Bignell said it had ueen stated that once the Department obtained portion of the land, it would soon get possession of the balance. He pointed out that the Enabling Bill would define the amount required for railway purposes, the balance would be vested in the Borough for a park, and unless by mutual agreement, the Department could not take any more. COST OF CONSTRUCTION. He had been informed by Mr Vcitch that the Department would bear the whole cost of construction. All the local bodies were afraid of what it would cost. Now that the Department was to pay the cost of construction, all they had to ’do was to assist in paying compensation. Of the 81 acres in the Eacecourse between 15 and 20 would be taken for railway purposes; the rest, by mutual agreement, would Ire vested in the Borough Council. He considered it would be an excellent bargain, if the Board received the foreshore, the Council a fine park of about 60 acres, and the Railway Department a new site. He did not see what better offer could be made. Failing this, the Department would stay where it is, and no earthly power could shift it. The Harbour Boafd was promoting a petition to Parliament asking for relief, but it was his candid opinion that it would not be of any use whatever. No Government would give away Crown Lands. That would mean the Harbour Board would have to find a new sits. Either a new site acceptable to the Department must be found, or else it will remain where it is for the next ten or fifteen years. The Board had a strong moral right to the land, but this was overridden by the, legal rights of the Department. THE ALTERNATIVE. Supposing no settlement were arrived at, the Board would have to build new wharves and sheds on its own property below the engine sheds. This would cost at least .£50,000. The ratepayers would have to find the money to provide facilities equal to what they have now. These facilities could be obtained much cheaper through a settlement. The alternative would mean half a mile additional cartage and an extra charge for interest on £50,000. It was better for the Board to buy the facilities at present existing, but until the Department was provided with another site this could not be done. He bad no doubt the Government would back up the General Manager. Cr. Richardson: Against public opinion?

Mr Bignell; “When Crown Lands were in question, you always have Parliament against you,” If the Government were advised that the land was required for railway purposes, it would not be given up. In reply to Cr. Richardson, Mr Bignell said that the Department did not intend to take the Racecourse; it had to be offered to it. Proceeding, he said that all the criticism so far had been destructive, and no helpful criticism had been given. Unless the suggestion was agreed upon, it would mean that the Board was going to be forced to provide 'a new harbour at high cost, because the people would not come to a Settlement. DEVIATIONS. As to the deviations mentioned, under present conditions he did not think the Government would look at any scheme involving a large expediture for at least twenty years to come In conclusion, he urged the delegates to consider the proposal in all its bearings, and. not to take any notice of anonymous correspondence, but to bear in mind that a refusal would probably involve the Board in a large expenditure. In reply to Captain Holm, Mr Bignell said Mr Veibch told him that the Department would pay the cost of overhead bridges. . MR BASSETP’S VIEWS. Mr W, G. Bassett said that Mr McVilly’s attitude had not changed. He pointed out that the Racecourse proposal, according to the Department’s officers, would take five years to give relief; the construction work would take two years, and the Jockey Club wanted three years to get out. With regard to the St. John’s site, Mr McLean, the Chief Engineer, did not say that it was not suitable, except that it was very close to. another station. Mr McVilly was a very keen business man.

and he saw in the Racecourse proposal an opportunity of obtaining a cheap property, and he was not concerned with any other aspect. The Department had admitted that Wanganui Ehst site would suit the Department, but it was a question of whether it would bo suitable for the people of Wanganui. The Department proposed to take 25 acres in the Racecourse; it had 30 acres on the waterfront, yet the Department said that the new station would last fifty years. Mr Higgenbottom; They are retaining 20 acres on the foreshore. Proceeding, the speaker expressed Ids disappointment with the attitude of Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., at the interview with Mr .McVilly, whore he said he agreed with everything 'the General Manager had said. Mr Bassett said he was quite sure that immediate relief could be given by the Department. In Mr Buxton’s time marshalling was car-’ ried out at Aramoho, and! lie saw no reason why it could not bo done now. There was plenty of room there, and extensions could bo cheaply made. He strongly defended the Board’s claim to the foreshore, and declared that it would Ire the greatest railway scandal in New Zealand if the Board were forced away from it He was certain that if Wanganui took this case up and stood firm it would coon get relief. EARLY RELIEF WANTED. Captain Holm said the town wanted early relief, but alterations would take a long rime. The marshalling yards were the sore point, and he thought the Department should be offered a site for this work. He did not think it was for the conference to take any stand until the Borough Council had decided upon whether it would alienate jH>rtion of the municipal reserve. He moved the following motion;—“ That this conference is of opinion that until the Borough Council has expressed its views on the proposal to surrender a portion of tho Racecourse reserve for the purposes of the Railway Department it would bo improper for the representatives of other local bodies possessed of no authority or responsibility concerning the municipal reserves to associate themselves with any resolution either approving or condemning a proposal to alienate any portion of the municipal estate.” Cr. Thompson seconded the motion. He wanted tho Council divided on the question as soon as possible, ,so as to give the pubhc a lead. He hoped tho conference would express an opinion before dissolving. SACRIFICE TO BE MADE. The Mayor said ho considered tho conference would bo unwise to carry tho motion Proceeding, ho said that tho Racecourse was not a municipal roaorve. The community of Wanganui had to' make a sacrifice—was it to bo tho waterfront, St. Jehu's reserve, tbo Springvale reserve, or the back of tho Racecourse? This was what the people had to consider. He intruded to call a public meeting to have the proposal fully discussed, and, if possible, ho would get ATr McVilly to place the po sition before tbo people of Wanganui. Ho pointed out that the Racecourse was not a municipal reserve, and it was not open to tho public except on a few days in the year, when admission had to bu paid. It was contended that the- proposal would mean the. cutting off oi Gonville and Castlecliff from the town, but ha pointed out that nine-tenths of tho traffic from those suburbs came along Guyton Street, and the balance along oackson Street, so the closing of that street would not interfere greatly with the suburbs mentioned. Assuming tho Racecourse wore decided upon, is was not suggested that the people would pay for it. The Borough reserve was going to bo a valuable one, and ho thought the Council had a reasonable claim for compensation, and it might bo a very good off-set against any compensation which the Council would have to pay to the Jockey Chib later on. Ho was sure, whether a settlement was arrived, at or not, that Alt McVilly would do his best to assist tho people of Wanganui. Replying to Mr Bassett, the Maynt said that once a site had boon decided upon the General Manager would so re-arrange his plans as to allow tho Board to go on with its enlargements. Mr "Williams declared that if it was a question of the Department putting tho Board off the wharves, he would be with Air Bassett. ENGLISH EXPERIENCE.

Mr W. Bruce said that the statements made by Messrs Bignell and Williams had not been met. Referring to a. previous statement made by him that railways in other countries endeavoured ta get as close to tho waterside as possible, also as near the centre of tha town,.*the speaker quoted the remark of a local business man, who bad had wide experience in England, in confirmation of his previous statement. Some railway companies had paid Vnillions to get the positions he had mentioned, and which were similar to the situation of the Racecourse.. Wanganui was going to bo a port of some importance, and be urged the people to look ahead and to provide the best facilities In his judgment the Racecourse proposal was the best. He confirmed Mr Williams’ statement regarding a remark made by Mr McYilly re immediate relief. Mr Robinson: Why can’t the Department do it now? Mr Biuce: The Department may have to stay on the waterfront. If the [ eoplc were foolish enough to make them stay there, they would suffer in the future. It was true the Racecourse proposal had certain disabilities, but then every proposal had. He hoped tha people would not beat the air by calling out for impossible schemes. In his view it was either the Racecourse of nothing. Mr Higginbottom stated that Mr McTiily told ihe deputation that his definition l of immediate relief meant at least two years after it obtained possession of the site. Immediate relief was urgently needed on the waterfront. The Railway Department proposed to take 32 acres and to hand out to the Harbour Board nine to ten acres, and this he considered was very small compensation. The community had to pay compensation for certain, lands and cottages, and it was a question which wat the greater cost. Personally, he thought it would bo almost cheaper for the Board to build new wharves. Mr Massey had expressed himself against any capital expenditure at the present time, so he thought the scheme would not be gone, on with for at least five years. NEW WHARVES SUGGESTED. Mr G. Caiman did not think tiro present procedure would result in anything definite, and ho was fully convinced that the best solution was for the Board to start building below the engine sheds It had to come sooner or later, and the quicker -a start was made the better. If something like this were not done he was sure the proposal would not be much further ahead in two years’ time. Replying, Mr Bignell said it was quit© true-ii would take five years to