FERRY SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 204, 29 August 1934, Page 8

FERRY SERVICE.

NORTHCOTE COMPLAINT.

DEPUTATION TO COMPANY.

Northcote borough councillors, last evening expressed dissatisfaction with the ferry service to the borough, and in particular with the use of the veesel >Tgoiro on rush trips. A letter wks read from the Birkenhead Council/ stating that two representatives from that council had been appointed to interview the managing director of the Ferry Company, and inviting the Northcote Council to appoint the same number of representatives to accompany them. One request would be the reinstatement of the half-hourly service on Sunday evening, and also on week days between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Mayor and Mr. E. C. Fowler were appointed to accompany the Birkenhead deputation

Mr W. C. Ellis eaid the Ngoiro was 'a cramped misfit" on tne busy trips. Mr. C. J. W. Taylor said that the Ngoiro would not carry the full complement. Another vessel, the Peregrine, was lying alongside the Queen's wharf. He suggested that the Ngoiro should be put there, and the Peregrine used m place. On the 8.35 a.m. and 5.45 p.m. trips there was not seating room for everyone.

Licensed to Carry More. Mr. Fowler eaid that previously the company had informed the council that the Marine Department had said that the vessel, even on the busiest trip, did not carry the number of passengers she was allowed. As an answer to that he had been informed by an officer in that Department that the Ngoiro was licensed to carry a larger number than she could seat. Hβ would go further than the Birkenhead request. He suggested that the whole council should confer with Birkenhead about timetables. Half-hourly intervals were too long to wait. ■ ■

Mr. Ellis explained that under the survey the deck area of the boat was the part taken into consideration. Every three square feet was allowed a passenger. The number of passengers who could be seated was not taken into consideration.

Mr. T. Joll: We on the North Shore and particularly in these two boroughs are handicapped. The poor time-table is affecting property values in the borough. We should take tne matter up seriously.

The number travelling was greater than even 12 months ago, said Mr. A. G. Osborne. Many people had found a place in industry again. That was an argument which he thought the company would find hard to rebut.

The two council representatives were appointed to work with Birkenhead as requested.