UNPLEASANT TRAVELLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 166, 13 July 1907, Page 5

UNPLEASANT TRAVELLING.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WATHI. Friday. The s.s. Waimarie having been compelled to run into the Thames with machinery ■when, en route to Faeroa, grounded near Thames., and the passengers, mails, etc.-, did not reach Waihi until this afternoon. A passenger complained bittariy of the long and tedious journey, and he said' that he was informed on board that it was the intention of- the company to commission the Upper' Thames boat to run into the Thames with machinery for the next few weeks. If this is correct, it is manifestly unfair to upriver passengers, as, owing to the state of the river just now, any delay at the Thames considerably ' increases- the chance of sticking on some of the banks.

It seems passing strange that Thames boats cannot carry their own machinery without imposing, the task on the Paeroa steamers, which iave to go a good deal out of their way to reach the Thames port. The above telegram wa3 shown to Mr. J. J. Ker, of the Northern- GompanV, who stated the Waimarie took the machinery in question to the Thames because the Wakatere's gear was, not heavy enough to life it. ■ The statement that the Paeroa boat was to. run machinery for the next- few weeks to - the Thames was incorrect.