STEWART ISLAND FERRY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29009, 25 September 1959, Page 12

STEWART ISLAND FERRY

£22,000 Loss In Last Three Years (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 24. Losses on the Bluff-Stewart Island ferry service for the last three years to March 31 last averaged £7464 a year, and even with increased passenger and freight rates it was estimated that the loss would be about £6OOO annually, said the Minister of Marine (Mr Fox) in the House of Representatives today. He said this in reply to an urgent question asked by Mr G. G. Grieve (Opposition, Awarua), who asked the reasons for the increases in fares and freights, and invited the Minister to discuss those increases with the people of Stewart Island. Mr Fox said the last increase in fares and freights was in 1956, and the present increases had been made only after a full examination by the department, consistent with the desire of the Government to meet the wishes of interested parties by instituting the most satisfactory service obtainable. The Matai would take over the service soon.

The weekly operating cost of the Wairua was £596, the joint operation of the James O'Brien and the Awarua was £530, and it was estimated that the Matai would cost £745 a week to operate.