THE NEW RAILWAY STATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 170, 27 June 1900, Page 2

THE NEW RAILWAY STATION.

The plans of the new railway station have been forwarded by Mr. E. M. Smith, M.H.R., to Mr. D. Berry, and will be on view in the window of the latter's warehouse for a few days. Through tho courtesy of Mr. Berry, wo were enabled on Tuesday to inspect the plans. In the mnio, they nre very satisfactory, both iu the nature of the accommodation provided and in the appearance of the eWation. The building has a froctiga of 141 feet 6 inches, and a spacious veiandah, on the street side, ten feet wide, running its whole length. The platform is to be 25 foet wide, well-roofed in. In the centre of the building, facing the screed, is a gable of imposing appearance provided with a clock, and each of the entrance doorways is treated in an appropriate style. Provision is made for four ticket offices—two outside and two in the booking cfljiCß. This, if a prpper staff be provided, should be amply suljiciept to cope with the traffic, even on occasions when it is except tionally heavy. The public lobby is fairly spmmodious, being 25 x 18, and leading therefrom is a ladies' room 18 x 13, with two lavatories and other conveniences of an up-to-date character attached—provision being made for ample ventilation by means of a passage supplied with air from a louvre on the external wall. Both the lobby and ladies' room are provided with stoves — a boon that will be greatly appreciated by the through pissongors from the steamers. The parcels office is 31 x 18, and adjoining thereto is a comfortable office for the stationmaster. The arrangements made for the reception and delivery of luggage are such as should prove of great service to travellers, as a cart dock is piovided at the side of the parcels room containing n platform, thus rendering the transmission of baggage to and from the platform asfacile as possitl\ Tho rooms for the working staff seem all that cm be desired, and altogctherthe'buildings, as designed, are most creditable to the Department, and should meet' the requirements of the public for some time to come. There are, however, one or two points' which it is hoped will be kept ■in view, firstly, the centre of the building shoujd, if possible, be so arranged aa to face the" oentre of Egmont-street. If the height of the roof could be raised there is no doubt that the effect of the elevation would f>!9 greatly enhanced. The only other fatter not touched on is relating to u-* refreshment room. The plan provides for 4 the futura faction of this long-wanted accessory to the station, but that it should no longer be delayed is a matter on which there are no two opinions. In the wintertime, especially, the hardship and inconvenience entailed on travellers coming oil' the boat in the early morning and unable to get any refreshment before reaching Hawera should bo ended without delay, and we cannot press this matter too strongly on the Department.