PREMIER AT HAWERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1919, Page 7

PREMIER AT HAWERA.

RAILWAY STATION IMPROVEMENTS. THE OPUNAICE RAILWAY. The necessity for pushing forward the improvements to the Hawera railway station was placed before the Prime Minister (Mr. W. P. Massey) by a deputation which waited on him at Hawera yesterday. The Mayor (Mr. E. Dixon) referred to the results of his interview with Mr. R. VV. McVilly, General Manager, and Mr. G. V. Pearce, M.P., in connection with this matter. Mr McVilly had said that plans had been prepared five or six years ago for the Hawera station, but had Hawera had grown to such an extent that Jhoße plans had practically to be scrapped. More comprehensive plana were being prepared to meet the growth of this important station. The Chamber of Commerce and the Borough Council were desirous of this comprehensive scheme being pushed forward, and he hoped Mr. Massey would see that there was no delay in connection with this matter. The station at the present time was inadequate to meet the requireinents, and he felt sure that the Prime Minister would do his best to facilitate the commencement of the work as soon as possible. Referring to the Te Roti-Opiraake railway, the Mayor said he was rather surprised to read in the Taranaki Daily News that an attempt was being made to make Eltham the terminus for this line. The fact of the matter was that Hawera was destined to be a'big centre, and was already the terminus for trains between Wanganui and New Plymouth, and it should continue to be the terminus and also the terminus for the Opunake railway. He understood this had been arranged for by the Department officers in the comprehensive plan for the new station, and any attempt to divert the terminus to Eltham should be resisted. He felt sure that Mr. Massey would allow no argument or pressure to be brought to bear to divert the terminus from Haw*ra Mr. V. A. Bone supported Mr. Pearce on behalf of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce. The Premier said he would gp into the matter with tiu officers of the Railway Department on lis return to Wellington.