RAILWAY FACILITIES AT DRURY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 311, 18 September 1917, Page 2

RAILWAY FACILITIES AT DRURY.

Although at the time the proposals of the Railway Department to establish a central station about midway between Runciman and Drury, in place of the two stations bearing those names that have hitherto been and are still in use, were formulated a howl of Indignation arose among the settlers of Runciman and of the neighbouring locality that they were being made the scapegoats of railway reform, the people of Drury on their part also looking none too kindly on a station being situated some distance from their midst, mature and calm consideration has produced general recognition that the Department's scheme is all for the best and that the interests of the district as a whole will be advanced by the possession of one fully-staffed station, which will efficiently cater for public requirements. In his position as Chairman of the Franklin County Council and more particularly in his sphere as member for the Drury riding, Mr Joseph Flanagan was a warm supporter ot the central station proposal but despite the criticism that he was subjected to for his advocacy of the same, hiuts even being given that it would cost him his seat at the next County Council election, he has now the satisfaction cf realising that his foresight was well justified fo? already there is practically a unanimous agreement that a central station will be an undoubted advantage. Indeed, in keeping with the central station id*a, the settlers of Drury and Runciman were last week quite in accord that the new station would be the best possible site tor administering for the postal requirements of the district or in other words they quite approved of the existing post offices at Drury and Runciman being -superseded by one central office The Railway Department's intention to avail itself of unformed County roads as a means of approach from Drury to the new station opens up a somewhat complicated question for it hardly seems reasonable that the County Council should be saddled with any expense for the construction of roads that are not otherwise wanted for public purposes. In our opinion it is the Department's duty itself to provide access roads to the station and to do all the necessary work, even if Couuty roads are requisitioned for the purpose, without thrusting any financial responsibility on a local authority and, in effect, on the ratepayers of the district.