BEST OF DEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 190, 14 August 1939, Page 8

BEST OF DEAL.

SAYS MR. DARLOW.

northcote residents.

VEHICULAR FERRY CHANGE.

"It is evident that most of my critics are not frequent users of the vehicular ferry, otherwise they would not make ill-considered statements," said Mr. W. B. Darlow, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, in a statement this morning. "It should be understood that the Birkenhead vehicular boat does not cater for only a handful of motorists who reside at Birkenhead and Northcote, but is serving thousands of vehicle owners who reside as far north as Kaitaia.' Mr. Darlow went on to say that if a tally were taken of the vehicles that use these boats it would probably be found that only a small percentage were owned bv residents of Northcote and Birkenhead. "The very fact that more cars have patronised this western service since the Devonport terry Company eliminated one of the landings from its timetable, should convince the unparochial of the great advantages. Moreover, we have the automobile association applauding the change.

"Tin; alternative service, as previously run, acted .satisfactorily one way only. A vehicle going north would hoard the hoat at Frecmans Bay. and few would know, and none would care, whether the boat was going to Northcote or Birkenhead, as it is only a matter of a few minutes between the two boroughs. It can be readily understood that 110 motorist was placed to any disadvantage. Now we will consider the position of the car owner who wished to travel from the North Shore to Auckland. Very few were familiar with the time table, and, according to the captains and crews of the boats. e\ery day they could give incidents of motorists going to the wrong landing. If they went to Northcote the boat would be leaving Birkenhead, and vice versa. Taken to Task. '"One of your correspondents has taken me to task for providing a landing for which there will be no regular service." said Mr. Darlow. '"That is a matter he should take up with the Ferry Company. The Harbour Board provided facilities for the many shipping comjianies that operate in this port, but it is very doubtful whether the board has power to com pel an operating company to use those facilities. The power of the Transport Board in the control of motor services, as instanced by one of your correspondents, does not apply to .shipping companies operating in this port. No doubt the Ferry Company took the following points into consideration when they decided to run to Birkenhead and eliminate Northcote.

"First, the pontoon at Xorthcote is a very old one and. is situated in a position that interferes with the berthing of the passenger boats, and the Harbour Board is not likely to agree to any large capital expenditure there, which would be rendered obsolete by the erection of a harbour bridge.

"Secondly, the road from the landings almost to the hotel is much too narrow for a highway. With cars parked on the left, as at present, and vehicles waiting for the boat on the opposite side, it is impossible for two ears to pass. Then the traffic had to pass three of the most dangerously situated schools in the Dominion, and it is only a few months since one of the pupils was involved in a most distressing fatal tragedv.

"The residents of Xorthcote will realise before long that they have had the best of the deal through the change. They have had the benefit of an extended vehicular service, and this beautiful residential borough will not have to {Hit up with the noise and dangers of through traffic that benefits 110 one.