The Mayor's Address.

The Mayor, who extended a warm welcome to the Minister, prefaced his remarks by a survey of transport development over the past 100 years, frorthe period when the pioneers had to cover a journey on foot, to the time of the ox wagon, stage coach, the railway, motor car, and modern motor ‘bus.

“The natural pleasure I have in taking part, as Mayor of the city,” he said, “in the opening ceremony associated with this magnificent new passenger station of the railway road services, is accentuated by the fact that, besides being a distinct civic asset of aesthetic value and one immediately available to improve the transport facilities of the people, the new road services station is obviously significant of a bright future for Dunedin and Otago particularly, and for the South Island generally. If there is one thing more than another which in recent years has marked the administration of our railways, it is the progressive outlook and swift action taken to make the department's services adequate for present needs and ready for any new developments that may be anticipated in the transport field.

“And so, when I look at this modern centre of road services transport, I realise that the Railway Department is not only meeting splendidly the existing passenger transport requirements of Dunedin and the surrounding districts, but is also preparing for that much greater development in business which must follow the many improvements in arterial communications now approaching completion.

“When one sees the position Dunedin has reached as a principal Dominion centre under conditions of comparatively limited access, it requires no great faith to believe that when the Homer Tunnel is completed and the road is opened to Milford Sound; when the road over the Haast Pass gives direct access to Westland; and when the road from the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys reaches down to Lake McKerrow and so to Martin's Bay and Big Bay on the western coast of Otago, then we shall see a development of tourist and general travel to and through Dunedin on a scale which may be expected at no distant date to tax the resources of even this commodiously built and magnificently equipped caravanserai of the Railway Department's road services.

“Those who know the scenic wonders of our lakeland and fiordland—wonders that are only now coming to be under page 11

(Photo., R. Wilson Brown.)
The Railway Road Services new Passenger Station at Dunedin.

stood in other parts of the world–and who have seen the developments of recent years, which improvements in the methods of transport and the means of access have brought, appreciate what changes may be expected in the swing of tourist trade when passengers can land or depart at Milford going to or from other parts of New Zealand, and avoiding that ‘doubling back on their tracks’ which has been an unavoidable disadvantage to the southern portion of the South Island for so many years.

“Dunedin will be the city for Milford Port, as it is for Otago Central, and through it will pass an ever-growing traffic in world travellers to whom New Zealand is becoming increasingly attractive. It is very fitting that Dunedin, the first city of the Dominion to have a good railway station, is now the first city to have a modern passenger station for road services.

“It is particularly appropriate that these transport services should both have been provided as part of the Railways organisation, but Dunedin and Otago have achieved a notable record as the home and nursery of most of the leading railwaymen who have brought credit to the Dominion and themselves as administrators of that great national transportation system.

“This city should be well served by the new service if personal association and nationality play any part, for both the General Manager of Railways, Mr. G. H. Mackley, and the Superintendent of Railway Road Services, Mr. F. K. Mackay, are of Scottish extraction—and, I believe, proud of it—and both were born and bred and began their railway training in this part of New Zealand.

“Amongst those who will take special pleasure in the opening of this new station are local organisations which have been working steadily and co-operatively with the Railway Department and the Tourist Department to make known throughout New Zealand and in overseas countries the outstanding scenic resources of Otago and Southland.

“As Mayor of the city, I wish on behalf of the people of Dunedin and the surrounding districts to thank the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and, through him, the Government for the courage and enterprise, the foresight and vision they have shown in providing this splendid structure as a terminal for the many road services of which Dunedin is the natural headquarters.”

The building represented the last word in modern design and construction for the purposes the Railways administration had in mind. It would give added satisfaction in comfort and pleasure, to the large numbers who already made use of the transport services operated by the Railways road fleets centering on Dunedin. It provided a highly efficient contact point with the Department's train services; and it added still another to the notable array of buildings which enhanced and dignified the appearance of the southern city. What the new station would mean to the trade and commerce of Dunedin those immediately concerned would not fall to realise, he added.

“It may seem to some that the building is actually ahead of its time, but when one considers the part it has to play in the greatly increased transport requirements, which will inevitably follow completion of the many major arterial road works now in hand to open up new routes, and through routes in and about the scenic centres of the South Island, I think all will realise that the railway road services new passenger station in Dunedin has been built in the spirit of the pioneers, with confidence and hope in the further rich development of the country.”

Dr. McMillan also extended a welcome to the Minister. Whenever Mr. Sullivan had been in Dunedin he had promised something. The last time he came he gave instructions for the duplication of the line to Port Chalmers, and he also had promised a survey of a tunnel route under Mount Cargill. The speaker referred to the benefits to be derived from such a project, and said he hoped this visit of the Minister would carry the citizens a step nearer that goal.

Referring to the ‘bus station, Dr. McMillan stated it showed there were some things which could best be done by the community rather than by the private individual. It was a communityowned building of which they could all be proud.

Prior to the Minister addressing the page 12

(Photo., “Otago Daily Times.”)
Interior view of one of the parking areas.

gathering, Mr. White presented Mr. Sullivan with a penstand, with a large inlaid gold plate, suitably inscribed.