Architectural Significance
Solway is the finest surviving example of a class 6 railway station - at one time there were several hundred. In addition, it is a rare example of a railway building of upright wooden-slab construction. This technique was used for a variety of building types in the 19th century, but surviving examples are uncommon. Construction using vertical members seems to have been a variation distinct to railway stations in the Wellington region.
Historical Significance
Though no longer on its original site or with its original name, Solway was one of the shelter sheds erected when the Wellington-Woodville line was opened in 1880. It has served the Masterton A&P Association since its relocation in 1911 and continues to operate as a passenger station.
History
In July 1880, the Public Works Department quoted the cost of Kuripuni Station (Solway's original name) at £718. A plan of the shelter shed was amended the following month, and the station, on the south side of the line, was presumably ready about the time the line was opened on 1 November.
Little of consequence happened at the station until mid 1910, when the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association suggested relocating Kuripuni directly behind their new showgrounds. The site decided upon was a small distance further south, on the opposite side of the line. The stockyards were to be on the south side, alongside the showgrounds, and it was policy that station buildings and stockyards were on opposite sides of the line. The A&P Association paid £400 toward the relocation and transferred the necessary land to Railways. Work was completed by 9 March 1911.
The A&P Association then asked for the station name to be changed to Solway, the name of the showgrounds, to minimise confusion. The name Kuripuni ("dog stopped up") referred to the place where a constipated pet dog had died many generations ago. There was some objection from Railways to the old station name but also to replacing a Maori name with an English one, and the name Purakau was decided upon in August 1911. Within six months the new name had been defaced twice, and after much public debate (see below) the name Solway became effective from July 1912.
From Wairarapa Daily Times newspaper 29 August 1911;
It is much to be regretted that the General Manager of Railways considers the re-naming of a railway station near Masterton of only sufficient importance to warrant his seeking the advice of a very tired, or very incompetent, member of his junior staff. The Masterton A. and P. Association asked that the railway siding at Kuripuni be named "Solway," after the beautiful Solway Park, which almost surrounds the siding, and where one of the most important North Island Shows is held. Failing that, the Association thought it might remain as " Kuripuni,'' that being the name of the Masterton suburb nearest the siding. The enterprising railway official to whom the matter was referred "could not see his way to accede to the request" that the name be altered, to Solway—although he gives no reason for arriving at so weighty a conclusion; but, his attention having been directed to the matter, he has decided that "Kuripuni" is not "proper," and that it be altered to "Purakau." Apparently, this Civil Servant has seen fit to wipe Kuripuni off the railway map for no other reason than that it offends his sensitive ear; and he has done this without it occurring to him that a community may be much inconvenienced thereby, and without consulting the persons most directly concerned. An inquiry of the Masterton railway officials would have shown the desirability of retaining the old name at least until such time as the name of the suburb of Kuripuni was altered or improved upon. There was some justification for "Solway," which, though English, is at least euphonious; but there is, literally, neither rhythm nor reason in thus arbitrarily replacing "Kuripuni" with "Purakau'.
Wairarapa Daily Times newspaper 11 September 1911;
PU RAKAU OR SOLWAY. DEPUTATION TO WAIT ON MINISTER. The members of the General Committee of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association are determined to take a strenuous effort to persuade the Minister of Railways to change the name of the Kuripuni railway station to Solway. They do not favour the new name bestowed upon the station—Pu Rakau—and would sooner see Kuripuni retained if they cannot get the Minister to re-name the station Solway. At the meeting of the committee on Saturday afternoon Messrs H. Morrison, W. Perry and G. C. Summorell were appointed a deputation to interview the Minister of Railways and ask him to change the name of the station at Kuripuni to Solway. It was also decided to request Mesrss A. W. Plogg and W. C. Buchanan M.'sP., to support the petition.
Wairarapa Daily Times newspaper 11 December 1911;
PURAKAU OR SOLWAY? MATTER AGAIN BEFORE THE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. WHAT A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT MAY DO. The manager of the Railways wrote to the meeting of the general committee of the Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday afternoon, in reply to a letter forwarded by the Association, suggesting that the name of the Kuripuni railway station be retained if the Department could not see its way to call it Solway, that when the question was under discussion it was discovered that the meaning of the name "Kuripuni" was objectionable. After giving the matter every consideration the manager stated that he regretted that the application of the Society to revert back to the name of Kuripuni instead of Purakau could not be entertained. The general practice in naming stations was to adopt Maori names wherever practicable, and as Purakau was stated to be the name of the locality it was accordingly adopted in preference to an English name. If the Society could suggest a more suitable local Maori name its adoption would be considered. Mr O. Cooper: "I would suggest that the matter be allowed to stand over till the next meeting. There is every appearance at present of there being a change of Government and from a new Government we may obtain our request to have the station named Solway." It was decided to adopt Mr Cooper's suggestion.
Wairarapa Daily Times newspaper 7 May 1912;
MORE ENCOURAGING. Another deputation has visited Wellington, waited on the Minister for Railways with regard to the Wairarapa train service, and received a promise that the matter will receive earnest consideration. It is indeed gratifying to hear that the future policy of Mr Myers department will be one of progress—the policy in the past has been anything but progressive; in fact, the tendency has been rather the other way. The Minister showed his common-sense when without any argument or discussion he agreed to alter the name of the flag station at Solway. from Purakau to Solway. Masterton did not want the name Purakau forced on it, and as the Minister said, "What's in a name?" References; 2012 Rail Heritage Trust of New Zealand, National Library of New Zealand.
The translation of Pu Rakau - a heap of sticks (Thanks to the Seagnoid for this)