RAILWAY DEVIATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 49, 22 November 1920, Page 6

RAILWAY DEVIATION

4 • THE PALMERSTON NORTH PROPOSAL. IFrom Our Own Correspondent.) Palmerston North, November 21. The proposed Palmerston North railway deviation was discussed at a meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the Farmers' Union on Saturday. The following motion was moved by Mr. J. BalsilHe, and seconded by Mr. A. Buchanan:—"That in. the opinion of this branch of the Farmers' Union, it is of the utmost importance that tho proposed Palmerston North deviation should be carried out as expeditiously as possible, so a* to relieve the great pressure and difficulties at the Palmerston North railway station in the handling of stock and farmers' produce; and that a copy of this resolution should te sent to the Prime Minister nnd the Minister of Public Works and the General Manager of Railways." ~ ~ , , Mr. F. W. Hubbard said the proposed deviation was of importance to everyone. There were men actually risking their lives every day in' the overcrowded yards under existing conditions. It was his intention as president of the Sub-Provincial Union to urge the motion nt the next meeting of that body. He was strongly opposed to the I.evin-Greatford deviation as a wholly unnecessary work, the huge expense of'which would be quite unwarranted hv tho small saving of 17 miles in the 400 mile= journey between Wellincton and Auckland. Mr .T Gillrspie said that as one who would be detrimentally affected by the deviation ho had been asked to sign a petition against it. but had declined to (to so He contended that the deviation would b? of the utmost benefit to the town nnd district. At tlr-saroo time lie was opposed to the manner in which the Government was laying out the line without consulting the interests of property owners throuth which the line would pass The public should know what constructional work would V done n> thi area concerned, and what its probable effect would be on the land in respect to drainage, etc. In TO-rnrd to the LovinGreatford deviation, he expressed the opinion that it would be a lamentable wn"te of public inonev Mr Buchanan pointed out that tne nuestion of speculators bcuehtmg by No deviation had bren brondit up at Hip meeting at Sanson, but Tie was safsfied tbat there was nnitc as much taken bv speculators in connection with the Grc'ntford-Ln-in deviation as the£ was in the local proposal He pnintei. out that in either case any land to li? re- « Ud would lie taken under the Pubic W-k" M. and those, who had bought l,nd in the hope of a big rise would be was carried unanimously.