STILL AWAITED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 6

STILL AWAITED

APPROVAL OF PLANS NEW JUNCTION STATION QUESTION OF A NAME Plans for a new railway station in Hamilton to replace the present structure at Frankton Junction, which were completed about six months ago, are still awaiting the approval of the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, according to a statement made at a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce last evening bj Mr C. A. Barrell, M.P. for Hamilton. It was anticipated that the plane would go before Mr Sullivan and then the Cabinet for final approval almost immediately. The subject of the new station arose when the president of the chamber, Mr A. G. Ward, said there had been a suggestion that the plans might be amended by the department so that spoil from Garden Place Hill might be utilised. "The sooner the station is built, the better for the town," he remarked. .Mr Barrell said that tentative plans for the new station had been completed in Wellington some five or six months ago. They had been forwarded to Hamilton for the inspection of the borough engineer, Mr R. Worley, but they would not be finalised until approved by the Minister. As soon as approval was obtained tha plans would be available for inspection. Arrangements Regarding Spoil Mr Barrell said he had spoken to Mr G. 11. Mackley, general manager of New Zealand Railways, regarding the use of spoil from Garden Place and he understood authority had been given the district engineer in Auckland to make whatever arrangement* were necessary and possible within

the scope of the scheme as far as it was at present developed. “The new station will be a very fine scheme,” said Mr Barrell, who added that it had been a big task submitting the plans to all the departmental beads for approval and, where necessary, amendment. It had kept Mr

Barrell and others concerned very

busy during the months that the project had been developing.

Work of Some Magnftods

“The project,” sakl Mr Barrel!, “will be one of some magnitude. It will not be completed In Just 24 boon because it will be thorough. I re-

fused to consider any scheme that was not complete or one that meant alterations to Improve Frank ton Junction which could be of a temporary nature only. The work to be undertaken will mean a huge expense to the Government but I think the town is worthy of it.” It was a matter for the Cabinet to decide, stated Mr Barrell, in reriy to a question, whether the scheme would be proceeded with as soon as the plans had been finally approved. “I will see, however,” he added, ‘‘that we get the job done as soon as possible.” A question which has many tiroes become a contentious point in the past and again recently, has been the naming of the new station. The chamber decided to inform the Minister that it was the opinion of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce that the new station should be called Hamilton Junction. ‘‘Hamilton must have its name on !he new station somewhere,” said Mr Barrell. Mr N. H. Hooker expressed the opinion that the name was almoet as an important factor as the erection of the station itself. If Hamilton was not chosen there would be a great deal of misconception by the travelling public. ______