FRANKTON STATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 7

FRANKTON STATION.

NAME TO BE UNCHANGED iViR STERLING HAS LAST WORD. BITTERLY-FOUGHT BATTLE ENDS Tho long and bitterly-fought battlo between rivai factions for the alteration of the aaino of tho Frankton Junction railway station appears to be definitely over, and the champions of the conservative aspect of tho question have apparently claimed a victory. Adamant in his decision not to alter (he name of the station, 'Mr H. 11. Sterling has written to the Hamilton Borough Council, replying to the suggestion that if the present _ Hamilton si alien were called “Victoria Street Station,” confusion would be avoided. Air Sterling, in his letter tabled at the Council meeting last night, said lie had given Hie matter very careful consideration in the light of the Council s last communication, but felt there were some material factors which stood in the way of Ihc adoption of the Council’s suggestion.. "I feel that your 'Council is principally brought to the conclusion advocated in your letter by considerations associated with those long-distance passengers travelling on the main line who have not sufficient local acquaintance with Hamilton lo know that that, town is served by Frankton Junction Station,” lie went. on. “These passengers, must,, however, form a comparatively small proportion of the total passenger I raffle for I lie Hamilton town. Most of Hie Auckland passengers, as also passengers coming from Hie ’direction of the Rotorua, Bay of Plenty and Thames linos are. except possibly comparatively few exceptions, sufficiently well acquainted with local conditions that no confusion arises in their minds. Indeed, as to the people from ihc last-mentioned lines, a question can hardly arise, as they would in the ordinary course book to Hamilton station. Question of Goods Traffic. "On Ihc other hand, when concur, oration is given to Hie goods traffic,” added Mr Sterling, “we find that by far the greater bulk of the traffic for Hamilton town is consigned to Hamilton station, and this traffic includes both the traffic consigned from localities more or less adjacent to Hamilton and from localities more distant, where the consignors may not. be closely acquainted with ihc local circumstances at Hamilton. I feel, therefore, that, to adopt tho name of “Victoria Strop'" for the Hamilton town station, while adopting “Hamilton” for the junction station would create a position as to the goods traffic that would have the same taint, and in a much worse degree, than the present position as regards passenger traffic. “For these reasons. I cannot agree lha.l “Victoria Street'' would be an appropriate name for Ihc town stalion. Indeed, if the change were absolutely inevitable and I had to choose between an arrangement that involved calling Ihc junction station “Hamilton ’ and the town station “Victoria Street on the one hand, and the naming of the junction station “Hamilton” and Ihc town station •Hamilton Central” on Ihc other hand, I think I would prefer the In'ter. For the reasons, however, that 1 have previously outlined, I do not consider this latter arrangement a desirable one and certainly I think its disadvantages are not adequately compensated for by any advantage accruing from the naming of the junction station ’Hamilton,’ ” he concluded. In moving that the letter be received, the Mayor remarked that the. statement was the most reasonable yet given by Mr Sterling, which if he.had made before, would have made further correspondence unnecessary. The motion was carried.

Several years ago suggestions were made that the name of the station he altered, but nothing concrete was placed before the Railway Department. Last, year as the result of a discussion at the Frank ton Citizens’ and Ratepayers’ Association, the proposal of changing the name of the station to “Hamilton Junction” was brought before the Department by letter and deputation. The Borough Council, Chamber of Commerce, Retail Association and other bodies all supported the scheme, which, however, was opposed bv Mr F. .13 . Jolly, of Frankton, who organised a counter-petition and placed his case before Mr Sterling- at a conference of representatives of all bodies Interested. Since then the Council has exchanged frequent correspondence with Mr Sterling, which has been apparently closed by the letter received last night.