CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5565, 29 January 1879, Page 2

CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION.

At eleven o’clock yesterday an influential deputation waited on the Government with reference to the central railway station question. There was a large attendance, and the deputation was received by the Hon. Mr. Fisher, the Postmaster-General. The Hon. Colonel AVhitmore also attended at a later stage of the proceedings, aud stated that ho would have been present at the commencement if other demands on his time had permitted it.

His Worship the Mayor, who acted as spokesman, said : Mr. Fisher, when a deputation waited a few days ago ou the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, we went away with the impression that the Government intended to reserve the two sections we then pointed out for a railway station. [The Mayor read the report from the New Zealand Times.] We gather from this that it is not the intention of the Government to concede this small concession conveyed in Mr. Macandrew’s promise to us. Mr. Macandrew promised that a passenger station, at any rate, should go up as far as the - Liou Foundry. At our interview with Mr. Macandrew I represented that it was the wish of the business men of Wellington that the railway station should go up ns far as that point. A requisition to that effect was drawn up land signed by 122 gentlemeilcarryiug on business in this city. When I tell you that 122, every one of them business people, signed their names voluntarily to this requisition, I think it proves to you that the people of Wellington are of one mind on this point. X am perfectly aware that some persons outside the city—shopkeepers and so on—would be an\ious to have the station placed according to their wishes, but I scarcely think that the Government will for one moment pay attention to such a request, in the face of 122 of the business men signing a requisition to the contrary effect. We are, therefore, here this morning, and should like to know what the intentions of the Government are in the matter.

The Hon. Mr. Fisher : I can only inform you, Mr. Mayor, that the matter is originally in the hands of Mr. Macandrew, and that nothing has been distinctly settled up to the present moment. If it is necessary that the reserves previously pointed out should be made, of course steps will be taken in that direction. I may say that counter petitions have been sent to the Government, and the Government are anxious to do everything they can to meet the wishes of the people. I will communicate immediately with Mr. Macandrew, and let you know the result with the least possible delay, but at present nothing has been definitely settled. It is understood that there will be a station at the back of the Government buildings; but the whole subject will be referred to Mr. MacAndrew, and I shall acquaint you with the result at the earliest possible moment.

The Mator: But the sale is advertised for Tuesday next, and there is little time for anything to be done in the way of reserving the two sections from sale.

Sir Wm. Fitzheebert represented that at the time he was Superintendent, and wheri Si. r Julius Yogel came to him with regard to get- ■>. ting his consent, as Superintendent, to the contract for the Hutt-Wellington Railway, he pointed out that provision should be made for a central railway station, and it was a tacit understanding between himself and Sir Julius Vcgel that provision would be made for a central railway station. The Hon. Colonel Whitmore pointed out that the present intention of the Government was to have the railway station at the back of the Government Buildings ; and he wished to correct a misimpression that the Government intended the permanent station to ho at Pipitea. Sir William Fitzheebert strongly urged that in accordance with the understanding between himself, as Superintendent, and Mr. Vogel, as Premier, the railway station was to be on the reclaimed land, on a convenient site (he was not prepared to say to a foot or two), and it was only fair to those who were aware of that understanding that the original understanding should be carried out. Mr. Nathan expressed himself strongly in favor of the railway station being located as near to the Lion Foundry as possible. Mr. Walter Johnston, M.H.R., said that what the deputation wanted was that the Government should withhold from sale the sections which were considered by the deputation to be most desirable for a railway station. The deputation hoped that the Government would not act precipitately in the matter, so far as the announced sale on Tuesday next was concerned. The Mator and Sir William Fitzhebbeex follswed in the same strain, and The Hon. Colonel Whitmore informed the deputation that the matter would be fully considered, and a reply sent to the Mayor at the earliest possible date. In the meantime there would be no difficulty in withholding the two sections from sale, and if the matter had not been previously arranged, it would have been a subject for consideration whether, in the present state of the money market, any of the reclaimed land should be offered for sale. In auy case, the views of the deputation could be fully considered, and if the Government would accede to the request for a central railway station near to the Lion Foundry the wishes of the deputation would be complied with. After thanking the Hon. Mr. Fisher and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore for their courteous reception the deputation withdrew.