NELSON FERRY SERVICE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27488, 23 October 1954, Page 11

NELSON FERRY SERVICE

STEAMER matai may BE USED NEGOTIATIONS FOR CHARTER (New Zealand Press Association) NELSON, October 22 Negotiations were proceeding for the chartering of the Government steamer Matai for the Nelson-Wel-ington ferry service. Mr E. R Neal National Party candidate for Nelson told an audience at Richmond ft would mean altering the vessel to provide cabins for between 60 and 70 passengers, he said. The high cost of fuel and the number of personnel on the ship, which was out of all proportion, had had much to do witn tne Ngaio ceasing to run. he said. Conferences had been held to see if the number of the crew could be reduced, but he did not think there was the slightest possibility of the ship running exeept at a loss, for some time,’ said Mr Neal. Mr P. S. Boyes and he had been working on the possibility of getting the steamer Matai for the service he said. She was a Government steamer and was engaged in cable work but he believed that there was a chance of something coming out of the negotiations. The Matai was expected to have at least 12 years of useful life m her. It would mean that the people of the district tn some way would have to set up a public company to overcome the initial costs. The stage had been reached when a tentative figure r i art , cr had been mentioned, said Mr Neal. ’