THE RAILWAY DEVIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8164, 25 July 1906, Page 2

THE RAILWAY DEVIATION.

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. On Tuesday Mr C. 11. Biss, district railway engineer, spent a busy day in Now Plymouth, being interviewed by members of llic local bodies through whose districts the now railway line will pass. In the morning, at the railway station, lie met the Mayor of New I'lymoutli (Mr ]£. Dockrill), the Town Clerk (Mr F. T. Bellringer), Borough Engineer (Mr A. H. Kendall), the Chairman of tlio Taranaki County Council (Air G. V. Tate), Messrs Steele (Chairman of the Hcnui Itoad Board), F. P. Corkill (Valuator for tlio Department), and A. Sladdeu (local surveyor). Mr Stringleman (District Traffic Manager) was also present. Mr Dockrill, in laying before the engineer several matters on which more light was wanted, said that having suffered great inoonvenionce for many years beforo the deviation of the railway line had been authorised, tlio New Plymouth burgessos would not expect to escapo all inconvenience in the future now that their wishes had been given effect to. But he trusted that Mr Biss, as representing the ltailway Department, would minimise the inconvenience as far as passible, The question of erecting a suburban station, m lieu of tlio present Eliot street passenger station, was discussed, Mr Dockrill asked, on behalf of the ratepayers, that a station be orected between Eliot street and the Henui river.

Mr Sleole, for tho Henui Road Board, urged the location of tho flag station at the Devon road crossing, as being equally conyenient to Fitzroy and town residents.

Mr F. P. Corkill took up the cudgols for tho East Ward residents of the borough, and stated that that ward contained 2177 people, as against 600 in tho Henui Road District. Mr Biss said tho matter would be referred to his headquarters, who would decide the question to suit the convenience of tlio people. Later in tho day, the question was discussed again. It was suggested that the station be erected ou Autere street, on " The Pines" estate,

The Engiuoer, howeyer, favoured Hobson street. The Department had secured two sections, 19(30 and l'J67, to which access could be gained by a good long street, and a station might bo conveniently erected there, opposite Mr Wilsou's residence. Mr Biss mentioned that he was practically tied to some point between ilobsan street on the one side of the river and Devon line on the other. Ho thought the local bodies could arrive at some decision.

'The Mayor: Well, you might just as well dismiss the jury at once, They'll never agree. Mr Biss pointed out that a station at Devon road must of necessity be far below the road, and steps jwould have to be constructed to give access to it, The application of the local bodies interested that the present rail way route, be made a public thoroughfare from Watson street to Paynter's lane, was discussed, and the engineer stated this was purely a question of cost. A gift of the land would mean increased cost of the deviation. The matter will be laid before the Department. The Borough Council representatives inspected the works above Gover street. Hero the present Gover street to the beach is to be closed, and a new Gover street made a little to the eastward. Goyer street, and the laud between it and the new street, is being levelled and made over to the Sash and Door Company as compensation for running the line through the tim-ber-yards, Mr Biss undertook to level and grade Buller street as far eastward as new Gover street, and the new stroet will be made to suit the Buller street levels.

All street bridges spanning the railway will be the full width.of streets. The matter of erecting a footbridge over the line at Waimanu street will be considered, if at auy time access to the beach by Butler street is cut oil by the erosion of the cliffs.

Tho Department will make good the tunnel running from Molesworthstreet to the beach, if found necessary to interfere with it.

The borough staff will superintend the raising of the water-main at the Devon-road crossing. Mr Biss is anxious to have this work done at oi ce, to allow of the construction t lins runuiug below Devon road,