BIRKENHEAD FERRY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 64, 16 March 1900, Page 5

BIRKENHEAD FERRY SERVICE.

At a meeting of the Works and Tariff Committee of the Auckland Harbour Board held yesterday afternoon; a deputation of Northcote and Birkenhead residents waited on the committee in support of the complaints recently made regarding the •steam ferry service between Auckjland and their districts.

Mr C. E. Button and Mr Bruce spoke in support of the letter recently sent, to the Board, and said that the present steamers were too slow, the time-table was not punctually kept, the boats were dirty, and the lighting was bad. Disorderly passengers, under the influence of liquor, were also complained of. Mr Button said doubts had been raised as to the safety of the 'steamers in rough weather, particularly the p.s. Alexandra.

Mr Bruce said the passengers had sometimes to wait 20 or 30 minutes lat Birkenhead or Northcote for a I steamer. The embarking and disembavicing of cargo also delayed the .steamers. The ferry boats were in a filthy state, but the company's servants could not be blamed for this as they were a very hardworking and obliging set of men. Mr E. W. Alison, representing the Devonport Perry Company, said that if the persons making these complaints had gone to the Terry Company in the first instance he thought that no doubt matters would have been adjusted before this. The company would have done the best they could. As regarded the unpunctuality of the boats the company had not very long taken over the running. The people of Birkenhead and Northcote had conducted the service themselves previous is the company taking over the steamers, and the Birkenhead cost the company £475 for repairs before they could use her. Then they had eleven trips, a day, but that number had been increased to twentyseven. As a. matter of'fact the com-" pany was losing money over the Birkenhead and Xorthcote service. The night . boat (the p.s. Victoria) was one. of: the Lest boats the company, had, and he did not see how' theffi^ could complain of her. He consicPfered the suggestion of filthiness al> surd, as tlie steamers were washed h clown every morning. ■ The company did the best they could with drunken I persons, bat could not refuse to take jtkein across the harbour. Mr Alison !denied that the Alexandra was unIsafe. • . j Mr .T. H. Witheford, chairman of the Harbour Board, said the committee was pleased to have given the deputation an opportunity of expressing their views in support of their correspondence, and the matter | would have the fullest consideration. He also said it would be satisfactory to the deputation to learn-... that the Board •'had authorised extension of the Birkenheatle wharf.