The Battle of Stations.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 122, 17 December 1915, Page 4

The Battle of Stations.

Drurv or Runciman ? TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt is understood that the Railway Department has definitely decide! to do with the Drury and Kunciman stations and to establish oae central station at a point between the two. Consideriog the distance between the two stations is only fifty-two chains, ard for many other reasons, I cotsider th t the Department is acting wisely, and I feel sure that any pert on vi.wirg the matter from a broad and disinterested standpoint must conclude that the establishment of one good station in a central position is the right thing, and in the best interests of not only the Kill way Department, but of Drury and Runciraar, as well as the surrounding districts. The fact should not be overt oked that this liae is New Zealand's mam trunk railway, and to meet its requirements practically a new line bas to ba built, tbe old order of things which has done fairly well hitherto bas to be changed, deep cjttings have to be made where a number of the stations now stand, and overhead bridges have to be established. In regard to the latter by erecting the central station on the site proposed overhead bridges can be provided , without difficulty at the Kunciman crossing and the Waihoeboa croasing at Drury. The status ot a central station will be of considerable importance, to which neither of the existibg two cojld ever hope to aspire and every reasonable accommodation can be demanded by the public. There will be ro difficulty in thfl way of express traira stopping. This last is) an important point which the public interested should not overlook; b.sides, as it is understood that there is every likelihood of the suburban area being extended to Drury in the near luture tbe establishment of a central station should place this question beyond any doubt. Such a station would very soon be the centre ot a live township,* which neither Drury nor Kunciman can claim to be, nor ever will be while they continue the tug-of-war which bas existed so many yeatw. Notwithstanding this, there is a certain amount ol' opposition to the central site. 1 do not wonder at this because there is always opposition more or less to anything; it's human, therefore I suppose it ia pardonable, though it is unfortunate that so many cf our older settled districts are more keen upon staying in a rut than trying to get out of it. Most of tbe opposition is from the ltunciidan end. Thii is rather strange since as a matter of fact it is getting the better end of the stick. In the first place the central site will take the Drury folk into the 23rd mile, while it will make no difference to Kunciman in this connection. The extra distance that the Runciman folk will travel will not be more than from five to ten chains, while from Drury the distance will be more. Ihe matter ot a tew chains on a good road is ot no great moment. It ia said that a rumber of Karaka settlers are opposed to the central site. I cannot think how tbe matter can affect them as so many of them Eiuce the erection of tbe two bridges claim Papakura as their railway centre, while many others do all their business at Paerata since roads have been opened to that station by the Karaka Road Board.-1 am, etc., RESIDENI. Drury.