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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 10 (January 1, 1935)

Wellington's New Station — Foundation Stone Laid by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester

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Wellington's New Station
Foundation Stone Laid by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester.

The ceremony at the new Railway Station at Wellington, the foundation stone of which was laid by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, on December 17th, 1934, was described by the “Dominion” as a “flawless success.” As phrased by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, “the ceremony constituted a red-letter day in the history of the City of Wellington and of the railway system of the Dominion.”

The setting for an historic occasion was so perfect as to make the ceremony a pageant. In an artistic pavilion temporarily erected for the function there were many tiers occupied by representatives of the State and the community, while in front over a large area of level ground and on a mound of spoil from excavations nearly 5000 people enjoyed a “close-up” view of a picturesque and pleasant ceremony. The uniforms of the members of the Port Nicholson Silver Band lent a splash of gay colour to the brilliant scene.

There was an outburst of cheering when the Duke of Gloucester arrived in an open car. The band played the National Anthem, after which His Royal Highness inspected the Guard of Honour. Following initial formality His Royal Highness amidst cheers, was greeted by the Prime Minister, who introduced to him the Chairman of the Railways Board, Mr. H. H. Sterling, and Mrs. Sterling, Mr. Andrew Fletcher, of the Fletcher Construction Company (contractors), and the architect, Mr. W. Gray Young.

The Prime Minister addressed His Royal Highness as follows:—

“The ceremony to-day constitutes a ‘red-letter day’ in the history of the City of Wellington and of the railway system of the Dominion. We are indeed fortunate and honoured that His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester has graciously consented to perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of what will be one of the outstanding public buildings of this Dominion, outstanding not only as to its architectural features, but also as to the important
(Rly. Publicity photo.) His Royal Highness laying the foundation stone of the new station.

(Rly. Publicity photo.)
His Royal Highness laying the foundation stone of the new station.

part which it is destined to play in the further development of New Zealand.

“It is appropriate that there should be put on record at this juncture a brief history of the railway stations in Wellington. The first railway station built in Wellington was at Pipitea (close to the present Davis Street). It was opened on April 14th, 1874. On the same date the railway to Lower Hutt (8 miles 2 chains) was brought into use. The line was extended 47 chains south of Pipitea to Ballance Street, and a new station, known as Wellington station, was opened on November 1st, 1880, on the site of the existing Railway Head Offices fronting Featherston Street (between Whitmore Street and Bunny Street). On the same day the railway was opened to Masterton (66 miles). This Wellington station building was 150ft. long, with a platform 420ft. long. The contract price for the building was £2294. Pipitea station was retained also in the meantime. The existing railway wharf had been completed in April of the same year.

“In 1883 proposals were advanced to shift Wellington station to the site of the present Lambton station, and to close Pipitea. The Pipitea station was closed on September 30th, 1884, and the construction of Lambton station was put in hand, Bunny Street being extended to Waterloo Quay. Lambton station was opened for passengers in 1885. The construction of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Co.'s line was commenced on May 10th, 1882. The original intention of the company was to bring its trains to the Wellington station, but no agreement was reached as to the interchange of traffic, and what was intended for a temporary station was opened on reclaimed land at Thorndon (the present site) and came into use as Thorndon station on November 3rd, 1886, when the first section of the company's line was opened. The through Manawatu line to Longburn (84 miles) was opened on November 29th, 1886.

“The work of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company included the first Thorndon reclamation, enabling the Wellington-Hutt line to be shifted from Thorndon Quay to the eastern side of the company's line. The Thorndon-Longburn (Manawatu) Railway continued as a private line until December 7th, 1908, when it was taken over by the Government in anticipation of the completion of the present Main Trunk line to Auckland. The Wairarapa railway was extended from Lambton to Te Aro, this extension being opened for traffic on March 29th, 1893. This section was never used for goods traffic. The arrival of electric trams rendered it superfluous for passenger traffic, and it was closed on April 26th, 1917. The Lambton-Te Aro line was finally lifted on March 27th, 1923.

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“It will thus be seen that since 1886—that is, over a period of 48 years—there have been two stations at Wellington (Thorndon and Lambton).

“In 1907, in anticipation of the completion of the Wellington-Hutt duplication and of the Wellington-Auckland main line, proposals were formulated for a new station (fronting Bunny Street) at Wellington. The increased traffic to be handled at the more distant Thorndon station, on the acquisition of the Manawatu railway, added to the inconvenience of having two separate stations. A plan was prepared, therefore, for a passenger station covering the whole area of the existing Lambton yard, the goods yard being left a matter for future consideration. The following year the Wellington Harbour Board outlined a scheme for new wharves, with railway access, involving extensive reclamation to provide for both railway and harbour requirements. After years of negotiation, a contract was let for the Thorndon sea wall, a work involving the laying of large concrete blocks in 30ft. of water. On its completion the work of reclamation was begun by pumping silt dredged from the harbour into the area behind the wall. Some time elapsed before the reclamation was sufficiently consolidated to allow of the laying of sidings or the construction of buildings. In 1930, the goods shed, 500ft. long, of steel and concrete construction, was erected on the older part of the reclamation and brought into use early the following year.

“In 1929 plans were prepared by Messrs. Gray Young, Morton and Young,
His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, with Mr. H. H. Sterling, Chairman of the Government Railways Board, examining” the golden engine in miniature, the memento presented to His Royal Highness.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, with Mr. H. H. Sterling, Chairman of the Government Railways Board, examining” the golden engine in miniature, the memento presented to His Royal Highness.

architects, for a new station building with head office and district office accommodation on the upper floors. Owing to financial stringency the scheme was held over for four years. Work has now been in hand for one year, the contractors being the Fletcher Construction Company, Limited.

“The building itself will not only reflect credit on the City of Wellington and be a great addition to its architecture, but will represent the most modern ideas in the matter of facilities for travellers. While all unnecessary expense has been avoided, convenience and comfort for the public and the staff who will use the building have been the keynote of its design.

“Speaking of railways generally there is no doubt of the essential part that they have played in the development of the country. It is not difficult for those who have lived in New Zealand to visualise what the country might have been without its railway system. The railways have played and are destined to play a vital part in the further progress of the Dominion. This can only be done adequately and with due satisfaction to the people of the country if facilities that will measure up to the modern standards are provided. It was the realisation of these facts that led to the erection of the building of which the foundation stone is being laid to-day. Wellington and New Zealand are looking forward to the completion of this work, and to-day marks a definite stage in not only railway development but in the history of the Dominion.

“I repeat that we are fortunate indeed that the Duke of Gloucester has consented to perform this ceremony.”

Duke of Gloucester's Speech.

“I am very pleased to have been invited to lay the foundation stone of a new railway station for the capital city of New Zealand,” said the Duke of Gloucester. “It is in the nature of things that a growing population and the increasing demands made upon the railways by a busy port should have rendered necessary an up-to-date station with fully-equipped sidings and yards.

“After many years of service, the old station is no longer adequate for present-day requirements, but the sentimental may well sigh over the passing of such a landmark in the history of Wellington.

“The site of this station has been won from the sea by reclamation, a form of enterprise which has, besides, added much to the area available for building and has been of great value to this city.

“In these altered circumstances I imagine that the harbourmaster may now become the stationmaster and the pilots engine-drivers, while it would not have been unfitting if I had been given a bottle of champagne with which to launch this new concern. (Laughter and applause.)

“But in any case I sincerely trust that the skill and enterprise shown in the construction of this station will be rewarded by a success fulfilling the hopes and expectations of the people of Wellington.” (Applause.)