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Dannevirke railway station

Railway station in New Zealand From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dannevirke railway stationmap
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Dannevirke railway station on the Palmerston North–Gisborne line of the North Island of New Zealand opened in 1884[1] to serve the expanding town of Danevirke.[2] It is 124.87 km (77.59 mi) from Napier and 53.39 km (33.18 mi) from Palmerston North Junction.[3] Its last regular passenger train was the Bay Express on 7 October 2001.[4] It is occasionally used by excursion trains.[5]

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History

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Early settlers split railway sleepers, creating a 2 mi (3.2 km) long, by about 11 ft (3.4 m) high, row on the road side, so that the town was called "sleepertown".[6] On 8 June 1883 Jay and Haynes took on a £13,615 contract to build the 8+14 mi (13.3 km) extension south from Matamau to Tahoraite (now Tapuata). By February 1884 they realised that they had underestimated construction costs[7] and the work was taken on by the Public Works Department.[8] Danevirke opened on 1 December 1884, when the 7 mi 43 ch (12.1 km) Matamau to Tahoraiti section extended the line from Napier[9] and regular trains started running on Monday, 15 December 1884.[10]

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1885 Spit-Tahoraite timetable

During construction Henderson's Siding[1] was built for Matthew Henderson (of Henderson & Wratt),[11] who moved their sawmill to Danevirke in 1883.[12] In 1882 J Martin offered land for a station at Danevirke[10] and a petition was put to Parliament,[13] but stations were only to be built at Mangatera and at Tahoraiti,[14] which then had a post office, station, store, hotel, soap-factory and coaching stables. In July 1884 William Cowper Smith was credited with getting Henderson's Siding open for public use,[15] though an early December 1884 report said, "after a great deal of petitioning, the people of Danevirke are actually to be granted a flag-station".[16] The siding was soon used by more goods and passengers than Tahoraiti.[11]

The Railway Department (NZR) took by proclamation half the width of Queen Street from Stairs Street to Princess Street for a station on the Queen Street side of the line.[11] Dannevirke opened as a flag station on 15 December 1884, with a shelter shed and platform.[10] The opening excursion to Tahoraite had 2 engines, 5 trucks with seats, 12 coaches and 2 brake vans.[17] From 13 June 1887 Tahoraiti was downgraded to a flag station and Danevirke upgraded as a booking station, with stationmaster.[10]

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Dannevirke railway station about 1900

1887 station

After another petition, a small, plain station building was moved from Tahoraiti to Danevirke.[18] In 1885 it was proposed to spend £748 on the station, extra land being taken in 1887, when the stationmaster and his house moved from Tahoraiti to Danevirke, and the office was expanded in 1888, by which time it was a 4th class station with a luggage room. In 1890 the Mayor of Woodville sent a resolution passed at a public meeting, protesting about moving station buildings from Woodville to Danevirke, but the engine shed was also moved in 1891. By then there was also a platform, cart approach, 60 ft (18 m) × 30 ft (9.1 m) goods shed and water and coal supplies. In 1894 there was mention that a bookstall was at the station and then removed,[10] though there was a bookstall from at least 1901[19] to 1936.[10] In 1896 Mrs Annie Davis asked for permission to sell refreshments at the station and about 1897 gas lighting was used. By 1891 it was a 3rd class station. In 1892 it was re-arranged and in 1893 more sidings were added.[10] In 1900 improvements were proposed.[10] In 1901 another petition was presented to parliament, asking for a larger, more convenient building.[18] The old station was demolished in 1903[20] and the stationmaster's house moved to Hatuma.[21]

Turntable

There was a turntable by 1887[22] and in 1943 a 50 ft (15 m) turntable was extended to 55 ft 1 in (16.79 m). In 1950 it was noted that the track beyond the turntable could be lifted and in 1953 that the turntable hadn't been used for a year. However, it was still in place in 1959,[10] just north of the footbridge, though very overgrown by vegetation.[23]

Railway houses

In addition to the stationmaster's house, there were several other Railway houses. In 1892 an engine driver's house was planned, houses were added in 1922, a cottage in 1929, another house in 1948 and another in 1955.[10]

Post office

From 1 July 1887 to 12 September 1893 there was a Post Office at the station, with telephones from 15 September 1887. It was enlarged in 1888 and 1889.[10] The new post office opened on 12 October 1893,[24] so possibly the railway office remained till then.

Renaming

Danevirke was renamed Dannevirke on 13 August 1895, meaning "work of the Danes", who founded the town in 1872. Danevirke was part English and part Danish.[10] The post office name was changed on 1 January 1896.[25]

1903 station

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Dannevirke 1903

Work on the new station began in December 1902.[26] It was one of the first by George Alexander Troup, following his 1902 promotion as Designing Engineer, which led to an 'age of elegance' in station buildings. Cast-iron pillars support the canopy. Brackets have an ornamental pattern of leaves and fronds, as used in later stations designed by Troup. In 1902 plans for a new building were drawn up and NZR acquired a site opposite the original station, on the town side, in 1903. The building cost £2,800, and £7,500 including sidings and other work,[18] rather less than the £12,000 originally estimated.[27] It was opened on Monday 31 August 1903,[28] before a large crowd,[29] by the Minister of Railways, Sir Joseph Ward, with local MP, Charles Hall.[30] It was of timber, with a Marseilles tile roof, general and ladies' waiting rooms, luggage and parcels office, booking office, lobby, stationmaster's office, mail, store, porters' and lamp rooms, and canopy. The day of its official opening was declared a half-holiday in Dannevirke and, in his speech at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Railways stressed that the building 'marked the advance of time'.[18] It was 184 ft (56 m) long, Gothic style,[31] special station, with a 600 ft (180 m) platform, cart approach, £600,[31] 100 ft (30 m) × 30 ft (9.1 m) goods shed, loading bank, water and coal supplies, engine turntable, engine shed (water supply cut off in 1950), fixed signals, stationmaster's house and urinals. In 1907 the rail fence around the station was replaced by a picket fence.[10] In 1907 a 30-lever signal box, 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m) × 11 ft (3.4 m), was built about 30 yd (27 m) south of the platform to control the yard.[32] As an earthquake precaution, chimney pots were removed in 1911.[33] A pedestrian subway was built in 1912.[34] In 1931 Dannevirke had a grade 4 stationmaster, goods clerk, 4 clerks, relief clerk and a cadet.[35] An earthquake, centred nearby,[36] caused some damage on 30 December 1938.[10]

Patronage 1888-1950

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Dannevirke annual ticket sales

Until 1943 Dannevirke was the third busiest station on the line, after Napier and Hastings. It then slipped below Woodville's numbers. As shown in the table and graph below, passenger numbers peaked in 1921, when they reached about 1,000 a week -

year tickets season tickets staff Source Title
1888 3799 2 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1888/I/1010?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1888
1889 4611 2 3 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1889/I/1068?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1889
1890 4765 7 3 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1890/I/1064?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1890
1891 5464 6 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1891/II/1265?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1891
1892 16973 8 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1892/I/1165?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1892
1893 15984 9 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1893/I/1495?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1893
1894 17318 1 8 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1894/I/1389?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1894
1895 17905 3 9 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1895/I/1587?large_image=true RETURN No. 10. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Twelve Months ending 31st March, 1895
1897 20223 26 10 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1897/II/1611?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1897
1898 18876 44 10 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1898/I/1670?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1898
1899 19858 11 13 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1899/I/1825?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1899
1900 22550 62 14 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1900/I/1613?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1900
1902 42686 107 13 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1902/I/1437?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1902
1903 40601 149 12 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1903/I/1872?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1903
1904 38001 300 16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1904/I/1849?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1904
1905 40959 411 17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1905/I/3768?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1905
1906 44087 338 17 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1906/II/1601?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1906
1907 48120 278 19 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1907/I/2543?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1907
1908 43571 407 19 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1908/I/2062?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1908
1909 42440 455 19 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1909/II/1833?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1909
1910 38440 471 16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1910/I/2051?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1910
1911 35809 364 16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1911/I/2498?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1911
1912 36038 391 16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1912/II/2423?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1912
1913 36180 449 16 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1913/I/3694?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. STATEMENT of Revenue and Expenditure of each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1913
1914 39913 453 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1914/I/2030?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1914
1915 36860 496 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1915/I/1639?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1915
1916 36064 497 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1916/I/1054?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1916
1917 35683 515 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1917/I/1124?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1917
1918 39454 481 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1918/I-II/1160?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1918
1919 49474 439 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1919/I/1232?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1919
1920 47938 398 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1920/I/1350?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1920
1921 51094 460 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1921/I-II/1453?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1921
1922 46312 352 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1922/I/1410?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1922
1923 47031 274 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1923/I-II/1322?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1923
1924 48843 331 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1924/I/2459?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1924
1925 45868 262 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1925/I/1805?large_image=true RETURN No. 12. Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1925
1926 48418 317 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1926/I/1931?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1926
1927 39722 183 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1927/I/2231?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1927
1928 35177 183 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1928/I/2629?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1928
1929 29841 261 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1929/I/2091?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1929
1930 26130 239 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1930/I/2213?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1930
1931 27282 217 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1931/I-II/1779?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1931
1932 23189 181 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1932/I-II/1935?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1932
1933 22993 162 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1933/I/1389?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1933
1934 25158 148 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1934/I/2279?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1934
1935 27203 160 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1935/I/1327?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1935
1936 28539 213 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1936/I/1553?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1936
1937 27542 214 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1937/I/1897?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1937
1938 27080 188 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1938/I/1653?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1938
1939 25559 193 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1939/I/1971?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1939
1940 26458 164 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1940/I/1315?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1940
1941 33500 157 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1941/I/1204?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1941
1942 38438 107 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1942/I/652?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1942
1943 46259 105 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1943/I/680?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1943
1944 45433 91 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1944/I/896?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1944
1945 31554 84 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1945/I/970?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1945
1946 34159 129 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1946/I/1549?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1946
1947 23102 89 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1947/I/2496?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1947
1948 20361 85 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1948/I/2522?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1948
1949 18064 88 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1949/I/2105?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1949
1950 17189 66 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/appendix-to-the-journals-of-the-house-of-representatives/1950/I/2367?large_image=true STATEMENT No. 18 Statement of Traffic and Revenue for each Station for the Year ended 31st March, 1950

1983 station

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Railway station canopy and 1983 station in 2016

In 1966 a railcar[37] caught fire near the station and 67 passengers had to complete their journey to Napier by bus.[38] In 1958 and 1983 upgrades were shelved and in 1962 demolition was planned, but delayed to 1983, when a much smaller station building replaced it. Only the canopy was retained. The station office closed in 1990[18] and was 'for lease' in 1993.[39] In 1984 the station building, low level platform, goods shed and a loading shelter remained. In 1987 wind damaged the velocipede shed.[10] The station closed to goods on 31 August 1985[40] and the shed was demolished in 1989.[10] The 1983 station, concrete platform, sidings, 1903 verandah (or canopy)[41] and a passing loop remain.[42] The verandah has been protected by Category 2 listing 4415 since 28 June 1990.[18] In 2002 it was restored by Dannevirke Host Lion's Club and its corrugated iron replaced in 2003.[18]

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