The Pukekohe and Waiuku Times WEDNESDAY, 12th JUNE, 1912. THE RAILWAY STATION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 12 June 1912, Page 2

The Pukekohe and Waiuku Times WEDNESDAY, 12th JUNE, 1912.

THE RAILWAY STATION.

" )Ve nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice

A oooi) doal of coramont has been [invoked in Pukokolio over the proposal to shift, tho old railway station building to tho new site some distance to tho south of its present situation. We regard the change of situation itself as detrimental to tlio interests of the town, giving, as it will, longer journeys to and from tho station for both passenger and goods ti'affie. But the removal seems inevitable. Where the station now is there will bo'a cutting eighteen feet deep, which cutting with the necessary batters will occupy so much room that not enough space will remain on the existing site to provide station aud shed accommodation. But a ;;fill graver consideration is that it is impracticable to make tho excavations that wou'd bo necessary to get the buildings down to the rail level. Already so much money has been spent in preparing the new site that we imagine it will bo a very difficult task to induce the liailway Department to alior their main plans now. But there are two points upon which wo think that practically a'l tho people of the Borough will agree. The first is that tli') passenger station should be erected as near as possible to the town, and tho second is that tho old station should not be removed to the new site, as proposed. The decision to do this was probably arrived at three years ago. But during that period the railway business of Fukokohe has increased enormously. Indeed, it has been stated to us by a local carrier that the traffic has trebled itself within three years. That being so, it seems clear th it tho provision now being made will provo quite inadequate within a very short time. The existing railway station has done very good service. It served in the old days as a post office, aud bv patching and additions it has been "made to do " Wo have net boon able to see tho plans of the further alterations projected, but cannot conceive of any additional patching which would make tho station worthy of Pukokolio and of tho business transacted. At present the clerical staff ate very inadequately housed, th') porters have quito insufficient room, tho waiting room is- absurdly small, the verandah cannot covor the crowds under it in wet weather at holiday time, while the public accommodation at the parcels counter is disgracefully small. To shift this structure, with a view io making it serve for tho expansion of business which must come to Pukekohe, appears to lie altogether bad business; although tho building might very well be used at some smaller station. The timo to do tho right thing in the way of providing suitable staff, passenger and goods accommodation, is now. Wo sincerely hope that tho Department will carefully review tho whole position before proceeding any further with the proposal to uso the old building on the new site.