Suburban Railway.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 293, 15 December 1904, Page 3

Suburban Railway.

BEQUEST FOR A STATION AT FI'IVjROY. PUBLIC MEETING. There was a 'arfs e and representative attendance of residents of Fitzroy antt surrounding districts at the public meeting, called for last evening in the local public hall, to consider the question of obtaining railway facilities for that populpus and rising district. Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., presided, and bnen> stated the object of the meeting. Mr A. A. Pikett, who has taken u leading part in the agitation, gave a comprehensive account of thestei>. so far taken to obtain a station fo Fitzroy, and then moved the following resolution: "That as th Smart Road station is so far re moved from the centre of populM tjon which it is intended to benefit, and as the Railway Department cat. not see its way to increase the nun.ber of stations between New Plymouth and Smart Road, this meet tog is strongly of opinion that th . department should be urged to n move the Smart Road station t. the point approved by the departmental officers, viz., between. Darne.. street and Paynter's Lane,-and tha. that the siding, and cattle races ai Smart Road should be left as a; present. This was seconded by Mr E. Grit fiths.

Mr J. Whitaker, on. behalf ot th residents of Smart Road, moved th following amendment : "That whils, sympathising with the residents a Fitzroy in their desire to have greater railway facilities, this meet jug regards any attempt to remo\ the station from Smart Road as i serious injustice to the large bod of travellers who now frckjucnt tha station, and would not seek in an, way to interfere with the privilegei they now enjoy."

In moving this Mr Whitaker quol edstftttstica of travellers using th station, who averaged about thro per day. On the other band it was pointe out by several speakers that tbi showed how little real use the sta Won was in its present position whilst if it were removed "to Fitzro. it would no doubt become a useft. astlUihvtng one. . The'amendment was seconded, and after some discussion, put, the vol tog being: For, 17 ; against, 51 In this connection it may be men tioned that the chairman confines the voting to ratepayer* and resi denls over 21 years' of ago, as thei bad been • rumours that the petition ia favour of the desired change ha been signed by persons who were no adults. The .original motion was then car rfcdby acclamation. A cordial vote of thanks to th chair terminated the proceadaags.