RAILWAY STATION.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 361, 16 February 1937, Page 4

RAILWAY STATION.

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

Council Favours Removal To Warwick Road.

Alter discussion on proposals regarding the Stratford railway station at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, a resolution was passed favouring adherence to the original agreement to shift the station.

The discussion arose following the reading of a resolution passed by the Stratford Chamber of Commerce offering to co-operate with the Council in any movement in regard to the station.

Cr. W. P. P. Gordon: Does that mean that the Council Is not taking any Interest?

The Mayor: As far as I am concerned it does.

Cr. Gordon: It is a pity, as the Department is no doubt looking to the Council for an expression of opinion. I suggest that they be asked if they are preparing any plans or want a lead from the Council. I am firmly of the opinion that the real solution is to shift the whole station to the south end of the town. It Is a pity to leave the matter In the air.”

The Mayor: As a matter of fact it is not left in the air. Years ago the town agreed to shift the station. The Railway Department bought a lot of land and we have never been advised that the proposal was abandoned. It is up to the Department to advise us if it. has been abandoned. I take it that there would have been a new station had it not been for the slump. There is no chance of the Department doing anything without consulting the Council or the people of Stratford. Judging from what the officials said to me there are two different propositions and it is left to the Stratford people to fight it out. "Are you sure that the Department will give us a chance to express an opinion?” asked Cr. Gordon. The Mayor: Yes. I am sure of that Cr. Gordon then moved that the Council adhere to the original agreement to shift the station.

"I thought that the agreement was altered during the time Mr Percy Thomson was Mayor,” Cr. C. Speck remarked.

Cr. Gordon: I am moving in regard to the original arrangement.

Meeting With Officials.

Cr. R. F. Harkness said be thought that when the Mayor met the officials in Stratford recently he should have had other Councillors with him. The Mayor explained that on ac count of a short notification, he was not able to call the Councillors to

gether. Cr. Harkness: You knew that there is a meeting being held here to consider the matter. The Major: No, 1 don’t know. Cr. Harkness: Well, I understand there is to be a meeting. The Mayor: Don't make this a personal matter with me. I am quite prt pared to take any action that is re quired.

Cr. A. H. Trotter said he was not aware that the subject was to be discussed, and he could not say at the present juncture whether or not he was In favour of shifting the sta tion to the south end of the town The Department had in mind the closing of Fenton and Regan Streets, but he did not know whether they v'ould bow to public opinion. The Chief Engineer had told him that it was all nonsense to think of sinking the crossings, because the bridge would have to be lowered to danger point.. He would like to see the Council unanimous in their opinions. Rather than send a resolution down it would be better to ask the officials to come to Stratford. The* Mayor: If we send the resolu tion down then they will know what we want. Council Turning Somersaults. Cr. Trotter referred to a resolution passed a couple of years ago and said the Council v.'as turning somersaults all the time. Continuing, Mr McMillan said the officials had asked if the Council would give half of Juliet Street, and he said he did not think it would. He thought afterwards that if they ot fered to exchange their leasehold property in Broadway tor half of Juliet Street there would be some sense in it.

Cr. C. R. Finnerty said he was opposed to the resolution because the Council was in the dark to some extent. If the moving of the railway station meant leaving the crossings open then he would agree to it. “As long as the crossings are there the town will never develop,” said the Mayor. “That was one of the main reasons for asking for the lowering of the line and the:shifting of lhe station.” Cr. Gordon’s resolution was then put to the meeting and carried. The Chamber of Commerce was thanked for its offffer and will be advised If anything takes place.