OP Y.
Enclosure
C.O.
11567
205
t
Station Site.
PEC REGE 3 APR 09/
After exhaustive discussion we unanimously agreed, subject to a careful verification of estimated cost of land &c., that the best scheme is to resume Lot 1140 at once and to let it on the best terms we can, with a view to the ultimate adoption of Scheme 2 for the site of the Station, and meanwhile to build a temporary Station on the site of Scheme 3, with one platform only on the South side.
The lines round the curve past Signal Hill not to be splayed out as shown in Scheme 3 but to be kept as shown in Scheme 2 with a level crossing to connect Des Voeux Road with Salisbury Road. This would enable provision to be made for the utmost accommodation for passenger traffic which could ever be anticipated by abandoning the site of the temporary station and transferring to Scheme 2.
At the same time it provided for the utmost possible goods traffic by leaving the whole of Blackhead's and of the Reclamation for goods, and not taking it up by a passenger station. It also was best from the point of view of pier accommodation for ferries, and deep-sea wharfage for Liners and by this means the passenger and the goods Stations would be kept entirely separate.
It was estimated by the Director of Public Works that the actual cost of the land to be resumed to give effect to this scheme would be $787,000. Of the land thus resumed certain areas could be let, and the rental would at least cover the interest on the Capital outlay, leaving only a sum of about $332,000 which would be absorbed by the Railway without direct return.
Probably also all or the greater part of Blackhead's could be let on short lease till required. To revert to the original site (Scheme 1) is inadvisable because the passenger station would interfere with the goods yard and the future extension of goods traffic. Also because a ferry wharf would be very difficult to locate and the ferry steamers would be in the way of Ocean Steamers.