THE RAILWAY STATION.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 34, 18 August 1864, Page 3

THE RAILWAY STATION.

On Saturday, July 16, we paid a visitof inspection to that handsome block of buildings, now nearly completed, which are being erected for the purposes of the General Termini of the Bluff and Oreti Railways. As is already well known, the principal approach to the Railway Station is from Esk-street, and the front of the buildings face tliis street — in a direct line. Above the main entrance door it is purposed to have a large clock placed, which doubtless will, as it always does, prove of great utility to intending passengers, as well as be an ornamental feature to the edifice itself. On entering the door we find ourselves in the General Waiting-room — a handsome and commodious apartment, measuring 30 feet by 17 feet. In the centre of this room, and still in a direct line with the principal entrance, is, or will be, a green baize door, fitted with patent spring hinges, which opens into a six feet lobby or passage leading to the platforms. To the left of the General waiting-room is the Ladies' Waiting-room, measuring 22 by 17 feet, while to the right are three rooms to be appropriated to the use of the Railway Engineer and his staff. In these front rooms the height from floor to ceiling measures 16 feet, and the waUs are lined with sinch beaded Native White Pine. This native timber looks admirably well, and we are informed that it is peculiarly adapted for such work, and for house carpentery generally. In the case of these rooms, this lining covers the whole of the wall space, and a coating of varnish imparts to the gensral appearance a decidedly distingue air. The handsome cornicing wliich runs round the apartments, while massive, yet elegant, further enhances their appearance very considerably. The fire-places will be fitted with marble jambs and mantel pieces, and the windows, wliich are formed of two sashes and circular topped, afford a sufficiency of light. The doors will be oakgrained, and we may safely say that when fully finished, these apartments will be airy, elegant, and equal, if not far superior, to anything of the kind we have in Invercargill at the present time. Facing the platform, to the right of the entrance lobby, we have the Gentlemen's Waiting room, and Refreshment room in one apartment, measuring 28-ft. x 17-ft. Tlie ceiling in this room, as, in fact, in all the other rooms, is 16 feet from the floor, and the cornicing is also similar, while the fire places are of cedar wood, in place of marble. Adjoining his waiting-room, and still to the right of the lobby, is the Station Master's private room, bosides two other rooms, the uses to wliich they will be put being not yet determined upon. To the left of the lobby, we come to the Ticket-office, from which tickets will be issued by a window communicating with the General Waiting-room, in the front ; and immediately adjoining the Ticketoffice are the Parcel-office and Porter's room. At the extreme left of the building are being constructed two suites of water-closets. One of these will communicate with the ladies' waiting-room, and will be fitted up with ah the most improved and complete apparatus, which has been brought to hand per the Charlotta Jane, direct from London. The whole is overtopped by a large watertank, computed to contain about 6,000 gallons of water. In case of fire, the great advantage of possessing such a quantity of water, ready at any moment, will be apparent. This tank receives the total rain-fall on the roof of the station buildings, and in addition to this, can be filled by a force-pump close at hand, and the whole will have a direct communication with the sea or harbor, by means of a main drain. There are two Platforms — ono on either side of the rails— each measuring 120 feet in length, by fourteen feet in breadth, and which will be boarded in the usual style. The platform reached on passing through the lobby, is termed the "Departure" platform, in connection with the Oreti or Northern Railway, while the other, on the opposite side, is called the " Arrival " platform, in connection with the Bluff Line. Between these platforms are, or will be, three lines of rails, two or three feet below their level, which will enable passengers to get in and out of the carriages very conveniently. Over the rails, is a handsome and most substantial truss roof, measuring 120 feet in length, by thirty-three feet in width, from platform to platform. It overtops the roofs of the platforms, which are flat, by five feet perpendicular, and proper spaces are here left for ventilation and for the escape of engine smoke. The Toof is frirfchor strengthened by diagonal braces and struts, and the whole is of a most tradesmanhke and substantial build, and is covered in with a roofing of English galvanised iron of a superior quality. Although there is little or almost nothing of an ornamental character about the buildings, the whole presents a very pleasing appearance, and the good taste prevailing over all is readily apparent. When the Esk-street approach is completely formed, our Railway Station will be no small adornment to the town, and may yet turn out something of which the Province may feel not a little proud. The contractors are Messrs. Edwin V. Carter, and Co., who have iery kindly and courteously shown us over the works, and the designs emanate from the office of the Railway Engineer, where they have received the personal superintendence of Mr. Marchant. The contractors inform us that the whole be finished in about a fortnight from this time, with the exception of the painting work, which generally occupies a we*k or two longer. The railway carriages, four in number, being now completed, or nearly so, will be brought down to the Railway Station, so soon as the rails are laid down, which will be in a very short time, as the men in the employment of Mr. Davies, the contractor, are presently busy with this work. The carriages are nowin Mr. Davies' work shops, where they have been built, and we can honestly say that, in every point of excellence, they will bear no unfavorable comparison with the carriages on any line in Europe. Should no further contretemps occur, we may hold forth the hope to the Inhabitants of Inverr cargill and the Province generally, that in the courso of a couple of months more the snort of the " iron horse " will be a sound " familiar in our ears as hou6»hold words."