SAVING HOBSON BAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 498, 30 October 1928, Page 14

SAVING HOBSON BAY

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER CONSULTATION PROMISED Replying to the members of a deputation that approached him yesterday, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said that no steps would be taken to form railway yards in Hobson Bay until nearby residents and others interested had been consulted. After Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P., had introduced the deputation, Mr. H. P. Richmond gave voice to the fears of the. residents and referred to the ugliness of outlook that would follow the introduction of railway works in front of one of the finest residential areas in the city. “We are only a small party,” he said, “but we represent the whole of the citizens of Greater Auckland and of the province who, we are sure, are unanimous on this matter.”

The petition had been signed by professional and mercantile men, and leaders in all branches of thought. The signatories had numbered only two or three hundred, but, if necessary, 100,000 could have been secured. Mr. Coates assured the deputation that nothing would be done until he had been over the ground and gone into the whole matter. He would certainly not allow the natural beauties of the Auckland waterfront to be interfered with until those concerned had been consulted. He would confer with departmental officials and let the deputation know the result.