PALMERSTON RAILWAY FACILITIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 154, 25 March 1919, Page 9

PALMERSTON RAILWAY FACILITIES

(By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Palmerston North, March 24. . Willi reference to Hie agitation for improved railway/facilities at Palmerston North, it is interesting to note that tho local borough council has not been idle in tho matter, and now that tho war is over it is likely to again become a burning question. It is now disclosed that spine time ago the Railway Department approached tho council with a request that facilities should be given to extend tho yards, which, if "ranted, would include the practical closing of Cook Street. Tho Department stated that it was intended to adopt a comprehensive scheme in connection with the complete alteration and reconstruction of the present railway yards, and that ultimately a. new station would bo provided. The additions when completed would provide tho station with from 22 to 21 sots of rails, and it was expected that this would bo sufficient to cope with tho evor-increasing traffic, for many years to come. In reply tho council intimated that it was quite prepared to assist tho Department in ' the matter, although the expenditure required would have niennt finding a cqnsiderablb sum of money, the scheme including among other things the construction of two subways. Owing to the war, however, the scheme had to be held in abeyance. Speaking on tho matter to-day, tho' Mayor, Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., said i that the question of providing a now, station had not so far been definitely arI ranged, but it was a matter.that the local I bodies and the Chamber of Cqnimoreo : should lose no opportunity in urging. Ho I proposed to urgK on thp Government tlw necessity of including in r.ny new buildings for a railway station faoilitiwfor a posf olh'cr. Tt hail been Hint a new station and yards shou'd bo provided outside the borough, but this would be detrimental' to tho interests of tho borough. There could be no auction, however, thai P\? line through H<* town, between the oiHiiue sheds nnd 'J'ernice Knd. would : ham to be sunk lielo.v the (rrniind sooner i or later, us at New Plymouth.