TE ARO RAILWAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1524, 21 August 1912, Page 6

TE ARO RAILWAY.

MINISTER VISITS THE SITE. GOODS SHED DISCUSSED. The question ns to whether tho Te Aro Railway Station is to be dormant as heretofore or bo given a chance to prove its utility as a convenience to the public, of Wellington Central, East, and South continues to concern a section of tho business community. The Minister for Hallways (Hon. \V. H. Herries) has already informed a deputation that lie had no intention of closing tho lftio between Lambton and Te Arp stations, since when the Council of tho Chamber of Commerce has urged by resolution that the lino bo closed. Out of the difference of opinion has been born tho To Aro Railway Extension and Improvement League, somo of tho members of which escorted' tlio Minister for Railways ever the station property yesterday. Tho Minister, who was accompanied by Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P. for Wellington East, was met at tlio station by the Hons. C. M. Luko and J. E. Jenkinson, and Mcsjrs. F. G. Bolton, Thos. Ballinger, G. Winder, H. N. M'l.eod (Mayor of Miramar), W. J. Gaudin, Leigh Hunt, Horatio Nelson, W. iT. Thompson, J. Brodie, J. P. Luke, and K. W. Gilbert, It was pointed out to tho Minister that tho station was quite an adequate station in its way, but it bad never lieen given a fair chance. It had never been provided with a goods slifed, and few peoplo knew what trains left To Aro, whilst even-one knew that every train must leave one or other of the Thorudon stations. He was sliown the fruit and produce markets a biscuit's throw away, and it was further indicated that the wharf-building schemo of the Harlxiur Board tended to activities quite near to tho Te Aro station! and it was n fair assumption to say that ono day the Lyttelton ferry brats would arrive and depart from ono of those wharves, when tho railway connection would bo necessary. All that they wanted was tlmt the station ho given an opportunity to prove itself—that a goods shed'be provided and that more trains run through to To Aro than at present, in order that produce and timber could bo brought by rail into tho centre of the city. Dr. Newmon pointed out the largo area of land seaward of the station, where tlio I I dock was to liavo teen orocted, and indicated that by resuming a portion of tlio land—somo twenty acres in all—there would be ample room for exensiou. Mr. Herries: Who's is it? Mr. Newman: The Harbour Board's. Mr. Herries: But we've got no money. Mr. Bolton: I think tho board would meet you on liberal terms. It was pointed out to the Minister that a siding for timber might be put in on the dock side of the line, for which all entrance could be gained through tho big double gates near tho morgue. Mr. .T. P. Luke said in answer to a question that ho thought 6 even-tenths cf the timber brought into Wellington by rail would be discharged at To Aro if facilities were provided. Tho general consensus of opinion was in favour of a goods shed being erected over the existing metals, and on a level with the picket fence in Victoria Street, at a point opposite the end of Blair Street. It was thought that there would not lie much trouble in persuading the City Council to do away with the sidewalk for a certain distance to enable vehicles to back right up to the shed doors. The Minister seemed favourable to this idea', and finally promiFetl to arrange for one et the Department's engineers to go into the matter of the goods shed.