TRUCKING YARDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 March 1939, Page 4

TRUCKING YARDS

TO REMAIN AT MASTERTON STATION IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE. TRANSFER TO SOLWAY NOT FAVOURED. A decision not to shift the trucking yards at the Masterton railway station to Solway but to carry out certain improvements to the existing yards, which are to be concreted, has been reached by the Railways Department. Mr J. Robertson, M.P., has received the following letter from the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, regarding the matter: — “With reference to your representations regarding the stockyards at the Masterton railway station, I desire to inform you that the question of shifting the stockyards to Solway station has been very carefully enquired into. My investigations show that if the stockyards were located at Solway they would not be as conveniently situated as they are at present and inconvenience would be caused to loaders of stock. Furthermore, the construction of stockyards at Solway would involve an expenditure of several thousands of pounds and from the Departmeht’s point of view the stock traffic could' not be handled..as expeditiously or as economically as at present. lam advised that the present arrangements of the stockyards at Masterton is satisfactory, except that it is desirable that a straighter lead to the main loading race be provided. Approval has been given for the necessary alterations to be carried out and when these have been completed it will be possible for a second deck of sheep to be counted and penned whilst the first deck is being loaded.

“With a view to overcoming the complaints regarding the condition of the surface of the yards, it has been arranged for the yards to be concreted. Everything possible is being done to keep the-yards sanitary and when the concreting has been completed the position will be further improved.”