NZR takes station

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 338, 5 June 1990, Page 1

NZR takes station

New Zealand Railways properties division took possession of the Ohakune Junction Railway Station last Thursday morning.

A NZR representative pinned a notice to the station door, stating: "New Zealand Railways Corporation as the owner of these premises being the Ohakune Station has re-entered and taken possession. Warning that pursuant to fhe Trespass Act no person is permitted to enter or set foot upon the premises." Railways workmen also boarded up the doors and windows. The Railways representative, who would not have his name published, said Railways was taking possession of the building because of non-performance of the contract by the lessee. He said NZR had asked the lessee several times to complete his part of the contract. Also, plaris by the lessee, Mr Chris Allum of New Sensations Supply Company Limited, to sell the building for removal was of some concern to Railways, said the representative. "At the end of the lease term the building and the land should revert to Railways ownership," said the representative. "So we were disturbed to see the lessee advertise it for removal."

He said Railways, in. taking possession of

the building, were protecting an asset as well as saving the building for the town of Ohakune. Railways definitely did not want to see the building

leave the area, he said. He - said there were several other reputable parties who had expressed interest in using the building on-site and that Railways would

be looking at integrating its redevelopment with the retention of its original character and use. Mr Allum would not Turnpage2

NZR takes station

From page 1 comment on Railways taking possession of the building, saying the matter was in the hands of his solicitor. He said he found the public interest in the building "pretty amazing" considering how little use there was of the station. "Why are people so interested in the sta-

tion, when the Presbytery in Miro Street, a much more historic building, leaves town without a murrriur?" he asked. "And why has no one said anything about Railways cutting the Wanganui bus service?" Mr Allum said he would prefer to see the station remain where it was but that he could not follow through with his original develop-

ment plans. He had offered it for sale but while he received several replies, none were from the local area. Mr Allum denied he had told the Bulletin that he had received 35 tenders for the station building (see Newsline Ruapehu Bulletin 29/5/90). He said he had called for tenders and received 35 replies. "I've even offered it to several local people for nothing and they don't want it," said Mr Allum. He said he had had no alternative but to sell it to an out-of-town buyer. Mr Allum expressed dissatisfaction in dealing with the Railways, saying he had had received four different letters from four different people all titled area property manager. He said he had had trouble finding the right person to deal with. Ruapehu Mayor Garrick Workman said he was heartened to hear that the Junction Station building would not be removed. "If we (the Ruapehu District Council) can expedite the renovation of the station to an acceptable standard then I think we should do so," said the mayor. He said it would obviously benefit -the town and the Waimarino for the station to remain, preferably with the building put to some added use. He said he would not like to see the building in private ownership again without a safeguard to ensure the building remained on site. "If it transpires that a local organisation takes control of the station building and needs a hand I would be happy to get hold of a paint brush," said Mayor Workman. Mr Workman said there were a number of Railways sites in Taumarunui and Ohakune that needed tidying up and that he had met with a Railways representative last Friday who assured him Railways want to do so as soon as is practicable.