STOCK LOADING AT ROTORUA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 8

STOCK LOADING AT ROTORUA

COUNCIL’S ULTIMATUM TO RAILWAY DEPARTMENT (P.A.) ROTORUA, June 20. After receiving a recommendation by the works committee that all stock routes to the Rotorua railway station be closed the Rotorua Borough. Council resolved, last night that unless the Railway Department gave a definite undertaking that it would move its stock yards to the Koutu station, about two miles out on the Rotorua-Hamilton line, all stock .routes through residential areas be closed at the end of next month. The committee reported that a letter had been received from the General Manager of Railways (Mr J. Sawers) stating that, at an interview which had taken place between the Mayor, Mr P. A. Kusabs, and two railway executive officers on May 9 it was explained that, because of the works programme to which the department was already committed, it was extremely difficult to give an indication when staff would be available for removing the stock yard, should such a course be decided upon. At present the Rotorua yards were sufficient to cope with all livestock handled by rail, but with various State farm schemes in process of development it might be necessary in future to provide larger yards elsewhere. It was admitted that the driving of stock through residential areas was undesirable and, while similar conditions existed in ffiany other towns, this point would be borne in mind.

The committee- added the comment that the officers who had intervewed the Mayor had given him the impression that the yards would be removed as soon as labour could be spared. Three main objections raised to the proximity of stock loading to the main station were on the grounds of health, the danger to traffic, and undesirability from the tourist point of view. In concluding the debate, the Mayor said the two officers who had interviewed him had only come after a previous threat that stock routes would be summarily closed. The cotmcil is to advise the Farmers’ Union, the Native Department, and other departments that may be affected of its decision.