THE WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 216, 28 July 1914, Page 3

THE WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Where Should Stations Oo 1

Discussion at Patumahoc. Central Station Favoured.

A meeting of llm Mauku Bianch of tho Waiuku Railway League was luld iu tho Patumahoo Hall on Friday evening, 21th inst. The president v Mr M. Crispe) presided, and there was a larg) aud representative attendance of members from Mauku, Patumahoo and Waiau, a number of ladies being amongst the audience.

The president, in congratulating those ptOcOut on the remarkable interest taken in railway ma'tew, said that these meetings seemed to be tho best attended of any hold in the district. This meeting, he said, was calied to get an opinion as to how tho district would best bo seived by stations, some favouring two sidings —one at Patumahoo and one at West Mauku-and others supporting one central station at a spot somewhere mid-way between the two pest offices. Ho was fully persuaded that the latter proposal was ihe bett'r one, and mentioned the increased facilities that would be given at a larger station by permanent staff, better accommodation for goods, and safety of consignments. The president mentioned that a proposal had been carried asking for a siding on the Union Road. This, he said, was within 60 chains of where a station was already laid out, so he did not think it was asking anyone very much to go the extra distance for tho certain facilities that the larger station would give. He thought if a station could be planned somewhere near the Presbyterian church, where the surveyed line was, only 2\ chains from the main road, it would be acceptable to all, and bo for tho general good of tho district. The president then proposed that the central sito be supported by the League, and that in determining this all parts of the district be given due consideration.

Mr J. Henry said ho was qaite in accord with the president's remarks and resolution, and he had drafted a similar one, which was as follows:

"Ihatthis representative meeting of membsrs of the Mauku branch of the Waiuku Kailway Lragu?, the residents of Mauku, Patumahoe and Waiau, strongly support a central station being established on the Waiuku branch line so ai to best serve the residents therei:\ Ih3 location of such station to be left to the engineer-in-charge of the railway works. This meeting further signifiei its strong disapproval of the reported action of a few of the residents of this district making representations in favour of flag stations instead of one central station, acd urso that such representations, bihg detrinnn't; 1 to the general interests, be not entertained." A copy of the resolution to be sent to the Right Hon. W. F Massey, as member for the district, and to the Minister for Public Works.

Mr W. Finlay said ;ho engineer, being a disinterested pattv, should be the best person to decide. Local people were bound to be biased, and he considered it would be more graceful to leave the matter to the engineer.

Mr Sommtrville considered that any resolution that related to these matters should come through the Railway League; he was at the meeting that asked for flag stations, and understood that it was passed on that condition, and hs asked if this had been c'one. He was, he said, in favour of a central station. Trn president said it had not come before the League, but he u derstcod that the resolution had been f rwarchd and had also been reported on.

After some further discussion the president withdrew his r-solutiun in favour of Vn Henry's, which was seconded by Mr S. Pilgrim and carrkd unanimoutly, with applause.

A vote of thank 310 the chairman, proposed by Mr Henry, closed the meeting.