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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 10 (January 1, 1940)

Railways Road Services … — News Passenger Station — At Dunedin — Official Opening

page 10

Railways Road Services …
News Passenger Station
At Dunedin
Official Opening

Arepresentative gathering of citizens was present at the official opening of the New Zealand Railways Road Services Passenger Station by the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) on November 13 last. The function, which was held inside the building, was presided over by the General Manager of Railways (Mr. G. H. Mackley, C.M.G.). On the platform with the Minister were also the mayor (Mr. A. H. Allen), Dr. D. G. McMillan, M.P., the architect for the building (Mr. J. H. White) representing the designers (Messrs. Miller and White), the Chief Postmaster (Mr. N. R. McIsaac), and other public officials. The public filled the great body of the ‘bus depot.

The following report is from the “Evening Star,” Dunedin:

Future Needs.

Mr. Mackley, expressing appreciation for their attendance, addressed a few words to the gathering. There might be some who thought the structure was somewhat ahead of the times, he said. No doubt similar thoughts were in the minds of some when the Dunedin railway station was opened in 1906.

“I am certain there were some Wellington people who had that thought in mind when thenew railway station was opened there two years ago, but today they will have cast aside any doubts they might have had, and they will realise that neither of these buildings is ahead of the times, and that they are even now becoming inadequate for their needs. That will be the same story with this building. Any taxpayer who has had any doubt about the way his money has been spent will go home well content that it has been a good investment for New Zealand.”

(Photo., R. Wilson Brown.) The main entrance to the new building.

(Photo., R. Wilson Brown.)
The main entrance to the new building.

Mr. Mackley then went on to refer to the tourist trade, which would be handled by the new station. It was a building of which the city might feel proud.

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.

(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.

(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.

Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways.

“It has been my pleasure and privilege, since taking over the portfolio of Railways four years ago, to take part in several functions associated with important improvements introduced on the New Zealand railways,” stated the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) when officially opening the new railway ‘bus terminal. “These improvements are all part of the work upon which the Government is engaged in the course of developing New Zealand to make its resources, industrial, social and scenic, increasingly available to its people.

“Hence I regard this occasion, the official opening of the Railway Road Services new passenger station in Dunedin, as just one more step in the irresistible march of progress in that branch of Dominion affairs associated with transportation. In this connection we have had, in the past year or two, the opening of Wellington's new station, the electrification of the Johnsonville suburban line and the introduction there of electric ‘multiple unit passenger trains, the completion of the Mohaka Viaduct and the opening of the Napier-Wairoa-Waikokopu section of the Napier-Gisborne railway, the introduction and extension of rail-cars on various lines, and the commencement of work on a new station and railway yards at Christchurch.

“Today's function is one of great national, as well as local, importance, for although the immediate purpose of this new road services passenger stations is to meet the needs of the railway road services now operating to and from Dunedin, it is designed on a scale sufficiently ample to provide for the many extensions of road services which must follow the completion of certain important works upon which my friend and colleague, the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, and his department, have been devoting much thought and energy. I refer to such great arterial highways as that intended to link up Dunedin with Milford Sound and the many scenic resorts in that vicinity, and with Westland via the Haast Pass Road.

Ordered-Transport.

“Anyone who cares to examine this building in all its features—its modern design, its care for the convenience and comfort of passengers, its broad platforms and open floor space, its facilities for the repair and servicing of vehicles, and its accommodation for the recreation as well as the work of the Department's employees will, I think, agree with me that even the most hardened advocate of private enterprise in everything would not have expected, in our time, to see a building like this provided here under a free-for-all dispensation of unregulated road competition. On the other hand, all will agree, I believe, that the facilities provided are not in excess of what should be given under any well-ordered transport system for the convenience, safety, and comfort of travellers.

(Photo., “Otago Daily Times.”) Servicing cars in the modern workshop.

(Photo., “Otago Daily Times.”)
Servicing cars in the modern workshop.

“So the present building may be regarded as one more proof of the fact that, at least in the field of transport, private enterprise is not capable of meeting all public requirements,” the Minister said. “The corollary of this is, of course, that when the State, on behalf of all the people, provides the adequate facilities, then it is not reasonable that private enterprise should be able to exploit for private profit what it has required so large a measure of public expenditure to provide. This reasoning applies not only to the provision of adequate buildings for transport, but also to the construction of new roads through territory, such as that at Milford Sound through the Homer Tunnel, that private enterprise could not possibly have opened up.

“I have just come down from the opening of the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington, where the Railways Department's exhibit has attracted a great deal of favourable comment; yet there is nothing exhibited on the model railway there that is not already incorporated in New Zealand's national transportation system. And the fact that the miniature display there provided has proved so appealing to the public is as good an indication as one could wish that the railways, take them all in all, really are up-to-date and fit to play an increasingly important part in the life of the Dominion.”

Worthy of Dominion.

“When the Government decided to extend the co-ordination of railway and road services, it was felt that the job could be done in a manner worthy of the Dominion. The purpose was to en page 13 sure to the public, as far as possible, the benefits of any expenditure undertaken in connection with this work, and also to reduce the cost to the people as a whole through the avoidance of uneconomic duplication of transport services.

“In other words,” the speaker continued, “the intention was to provide the best possible transport by rail and road for the general public, having regard to the varying economic factors associated with each of the districts concerned.

“How far we have succeeded in this effort those who have occasion to use the services provided by the Railways Department, whether by road or rail, are in the best position to judge,” he added. “And as Minister I may say that for one complaint that reaches me there are a hundred communications couched in the most complimentary terms.

“Typical of these is a letter now to hand received by the General Manager, Mr. Mackley, from an overseas' railway engineer, following his recent visit to the Dominion. The writer states: ‘The chief mechanical engineering department's officials here were tremendously interested in the rolling stock, and were amazed at your engines, while, as for the electric trains and Diesel coaches—they couldn't admire them enough.’ He goes on: This is not flattery, Mr. Mackley, but the honest description of the comments passed; and everyone here who knows anything of rolling stock and coach building is astounded to learn that you made them in your own workshops.'”

The function concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, the guests then adjourning upstairs to afternoon tea.

A Modern and Up-to-date Building.

Dunedin's new railway ‘bus terminal, is an imposing addition to the modern and up-to-date buildings of the city.

The contractors for the building, which is the largest ‘bus terminal in the Dominion, and in which will be parked about 40 ‘buses, were Messrs. W. H. Naylor Ltd. and the architects, Messrs. Miller and White. An idea of the size of the new building may be gleaned from the fact that its greatest length is 405 ft.

The entrance to the concourse is made from Cumberland Street, and immediately one is struck by the modern and simple, yet most effective, designs that have been carried out. The floors of the concourse are laid in terrazzo, the walls being done in Hanmer marble. The base is in Belgium black, with the opening surrounds in West Coast green marble. The colours of the terrazzo floor are nicely contrasting cream and green. The walls are designed in a most modern way, straight lines being a feature.

It is obvious that construction of the building has been made with a view to utilising to the best purpose all the space available, and so far as the ‘bus services are concerned everything is on the one floor, the whole building being constructed of reinforced concrete. From the Cumberland Street entrance one approaches the ticket window, and handily situated are the ‘bus manager's office, the staff room, and a tobacco and newsagent's stall. In the concourse are also two public telephone rooms, and off it ladies' and men's cloakrooms.

An interesting feature is that the parcels room on the ground floor is connected with the loading balcony on the floor above with a luggage lift. This loading balcony is erected at the same level as the top of a ‘bus, and circling the central portion of the building it enables the quick discharge of top loads from incoming and outgoing ‘buses.

The departure platform is on the east side of the building and the arrival platform on the west side. Within easy access is the workshop, which is one of the newest features concerned in the construction of the building, the floor of the workshop being level with the bottom of the pits. Actually, the level of the ground floor is just a few inches above street level, and the only excavation that had to be carried out in the construction of the building was that in connection with the sunken workshop, the level of the pits and the level of the floor of the sunken workshop being the same. A Morris hoist for lifting any portion of the ‘bus is installed in the workshop, which, in common with the rest of the building, is centrally heated. Attached to the workshop is a mechanics' room with two showers and conveniences attached.

(Photo., R. Wilson Brown.) ‘Buses departing from the new terminal.

(Photo., R. Wilson Brown.)
‘Buses departing from the new terminal.

The roof of the building has been designed along the lines of those constructed in wool stores, and some of the longest main-trusses in the South Island have been used in the saw-tooth roof, the longest being 110ft.

Facing the departure platform are the drivers' room, staff messroom, boiler room, accounts, and traffic inspector's rooms. On the Cumberland Street frontage is a taxi concession in which there is space for two taxis, cupboards and telephones being attached. The paint and body repair shops are towards the Rattray Street end of the building, and adjacent to the arrival platform are the washing bay, greasing pit, and stores.

Housed in the ‘bus terminal on the ground floor will be the assistant locomotive engineer and the car and wagon inspectors' offices, which are at present occupying more or less temporary premises.

The amenities for railway employees have been greatly improved with the opening of the new terminal, for on the mezzanine floor are three committee rooms and a library, and the top floor comprises a social hall, with stage and two dressing rooms attached, ladies' and men's cloak rooms, supper room, and kitchen.

Clerk of works on the railway ‘bus terminal has been Mr. F. Russell, who filled a similar position at the Wellington railway station for four years, and at the Auckland railway station for two and a half years.