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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 4 (July 1, 1937)

Must be Supported

Must be Supported.

“Generally speaking, when a fine public building is erected in a town or city, the public feel that they have grounds for self-congratulation. That is quite as it should be, but in the present case I should like to remind the people of Wellington that their new station has involved an expenditure of over £339,000—a very large sum indeed—and that, if the railway service in the future is to be an asset rather than a liability, it must have the wholehearted patronage and support of the people of the Dominion.

“Wellingtonians, as well as the travelling public, must feel kindly disposed towards a service which has so admirable a site for the conduct of its business. Its close proximity to the wharves, to the ferry steamers, and to the city itself, as well as to the only main road outlet of the city, gives it advantages on which there is no need to elaborate. Mr. Sullivan has stated that considerable development of suburban traffic as well as great stimulus to railway transport generally, is expected as a result of the new facilities. It is my sincere wish that those expectations will be fully realised. The abolition of the two-station system, and the unification of the railways service at this central point, will, I feel sure, do much to regain public patronage to the Railway Department.

“I am sure that all those assembled here to-day will agree with me that this new station building is a great asset to Wellington, and that it represents a further distinct landmark in the progress of the city and of the Dominion.

“With this key, which Mr. Gray Young has just handed to me, I will now proceed to unlock the main entrance door of the station, and at the same time will unveil the commemoration stone which records the official opening of the station. In doing this, I should like to convey to the Minister of Railways, to the General Manager, and to the members of the railway staff in Wellington and throughout the Dominion, my very best wishes for the future progress of their great national service.”

After unlocking the door, his Excellency said:—

“I now declare this building formally open and unveil this commemoration stone as a record of the official opening of this station.”