RAILWAY CROSSING
PUBLIC MEETING IN WAIPUKURAU AN EMPHATIC PHOTEST MADE. Ln response to the invitation of the Mayor (Air. K. McLean) an enthusiastically sympathetic meeting of Waipukurau town and country residents was held in the Municipal Theatre last night to voice a protest against the attitude adopted by the Railway Department towards the Borough Council's overtures as to adequate protection at the Huataniwha street crossing, which hag a large building immediately adjacent that obscures the view of an incoming train from the south. The fatal accident ol July 27, when Mr Francis Walsh, a soldier settler ot Takapau was the victim of a collision between a motor-car and a railway engine, has served to emphasise the need for action. His W’orship read apologies from Sir George Hunter M.P Mr. J. H. Edmundson, president of the Hawke's Bay Automobile Association (who expressed his sympathy with the objective),' Cr. J. H, Kibblewhite (Waipukurau County), an ( | the secretary of the H.B.A.A (Mr. R. M. Chad* wick), who telegraphed'as under:— “My association, while fully appreciating the concern with which local residents view the wickedly dangerous nature of the Waipukurau railway crossing, consider it an even graver menace to travelling motorists unacquainted with its location. It is felt that as this crossing is used hy thousands of motorists annually, from all parts of the Dominion, the Government should view the matter from a national and not a district standpoint when considering the question of expense. Being disappointed in the Government’s action mv association is prepared to do all in its power to assist any action proposed at tonight’s meeting, jnchidin,, a contribntion towards expenses incurred Please accept my apology for unavoidable absence.”
The Mayor traversed th e course of events ng applied to communication with the Railway Department, Minister (Kt. Hon .7. G Coates) and Sir George Hunter. The Mayor held that the urgent need was a’ national one, and not a local burden. He moved the following resolution:—
“That this public meeting of residents of Central Hawke’s Bav strongly protests against the refusal of the Railway Department to recognise the extremely dangerous nature of the Ruatamwha street crossing. Waipukurau and to take suitable action for the protection of human life, notwithstanding that repeated request, have been made to them to do so; and calls upon the hon Minister of Railways to give immediate instruction, to have the crossing flagged.”
FLAGGING THE BEST METHOD
This wa s seconded bv Mr A. 0 Russell, chairman of the Waipukura u County Council, who said it had nis wholehearted sympathy and he would recommend his council to pass a similar motion. He expressed the ”’w that flagging would not p-ove as costly as had been stated, as the trains from the south were the eh’et concern, and the crossing was adjacent to the station.
Mr. E. A Goodger president if the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support, poiuting out that 14 or 15 rears back the crossing was regarded as a menace despite the fact that only a score or so of ears crossed the line in a day as compared with hundreds now. Flagging would prove the cheapest, simplest, and best system to adopt. Mr John Winlove expressed his hearty endorsement of the resolution, and referred to the interviews with not only the Hon. J, G. Coates, but the late Hons D H. Guthrie Wm Fraser, and Wm. Hermes, It was clear that, the danger was a growing one and called for action by the Minister and the Department. The motion wag earned unanimously.
Subsequently the following motion moved bv Mr. Winlove and seconded by Mr. E. C Hurdsfield wns carried with ananimity: "That a petition embodying the contents of the resolution that had been placed on record he circulated among the people of Hawke’s Bar addressed to the Minister of Railways, the member for Waipawa to present same.
A further resolution moved by the Mayor and seconded by Mr Goodger was also carried unanimously, being as follows: “That a copy of these resolutions be telegraphed to the Prime Minister, Sir George Hunter, Messrs John Mason, H. M and E. A. Ransom, and that the four members be asked to interview the Minister for Railways, and if necessary bring the questions before the House.”
Un the motion of Mr. Goodger a hearty vote of thanks wa s accorded the Mayor for presiding
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBTRIB19271201.2.45.2
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Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 7
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725RAILWAY CROSSING Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 7
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