Nelson Views On Cook Strait Ferry Service

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28314, 27 June 1957, Page 19

Nelson Views On Cook Strait Ferry Service

(New Zealand. Press Association)

NELSON, June 26. A scheme for the establishment of a modern drive-on, driveoff ferry steamer service between Nelson and Wellington was presented in Nelson today to the Cook Strait Transport Inquiry Committee. It was brought forward by Mr F. J. Lock in submissions made on behalf of the Nelson Provincial Progress League. Mr Lack said the ship proposed would have a gross tonnage of about 2000, with accommodation for 150 passengers in cabins and 60 cars. Cargo capacity would be 300 tons. The estimated cost of the ship would be £600,000. Annual operating costs were estimated at £ 160,000, Mr Lock said. The estimated yearly revenue, based on a 50-week schedule, was £185,250. Finance for the building of the ferry should be provided by the Government. “Room for Two Services” There was room for two vehicle ferry services across Cook Strait, one between Nelson and Wellington and the other between Picton and Wellington, said Mr Lock. He believed it would be more economical to run two small ships across Cook Strait than one large ship. “The Nelson City Council considers that a regular passenger and vehicular ferry service between Nelson and Wellington is essential in the interests of the city and district,” the Mayor (Mr S. I. Russell) said. “Its provision should be considered as part of or a connexion between the road and railway systems of the two islands. For

this reason the council believes that the provision of such a link is a matter of national importance, and the responsibility of seeing that such a service is provided is the Government’s. “This does not mean that the Government should necessarily provide all of the money. The council is not particularly interested whether the service is run by a company, by the Government or by a company with Government subsidy, but it is emphatic that a ferry service between Nelson and Wellington is required by this district.” Motorists* Views

Views of Nelson and South Island motorists on the carriage of vehicles across Cook Strait were given by Mr C. R. Rout, president of the Automobile Association (Nelson) and past-presi-dent of the South Island Motor Union. If motor owners were to continue to enjoy the facilities provided for moving around the country the passage across Cook Strait must be made available to them at a reasonable cost, he said.

The S.I.M.U. supported the N.I.M.U. submissions generally, but did not subscribe to the view that the National Roads Board should subsidise a Cook Strait ferry service. “Our uhion has an open mind on this problem,” he added.

If a Government-sponsored service was to be provided across the strait the Nelson Automobile Association considered that provision should be made for at least one weekly scheduled trip to and from Nelson.