RAILWAY DEVIATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2438, 8 June 1922, Page 3

RAILWAY DEVIATION

A rumour is current that the Government intends modifying, its plans in regard to the railway deviation in Palmerston North, says the Manawatu Daily Times. We have no authentic information upon the subject, and publish the rumour for what it is worth. We do know, however, that the delay in fixing the site for the new railway is occasioning loss and anxiety to the people of the city. We know that important municipal enterprises ai’e being held up because the Government will not give precise information in regard to its intentions. We know that a serious position has arisen in regard to employment, because the Borough Council cannot proceed with the public works that have been authorised. There is a screw loose somewhere. The Government must have reason for withholding, or delaying the announcement of its plans. What is the reason? The member for the district has been sitting on the Ministerial door-mat. Has he learned anything? If he has, will he be good enough to communicate his information to an anxious public? There is such a thing as hope deferred making the heart sick. A coiwespondent signing himself “Taxpayer” writes as follows to the “Manawatu Times” :—“A rumour is spreading and gaining credence. It suggests that the Government is going to save £400,000 by shunting the deviation scheme and constructing a large railway station near Awapuni. Why not build the principal passenger and goods station and shunting yards at Terrace End, where the railway authorities already hold a ten acre reserve off the corner of Main and Vogel Streets, and can obtain plenty of cheap and level land for extension purposes when necessary The junction is already there in the borough, and served by the town ’buses. Why should heavy stock trains from east to north and north to east lumber through the town and back again to their various destinations? It is not an economical method of managing railway traffic.”