Inter-Island Steamer

Press, Volume C, Issue 29480, 5 April 1961, Page 7

Inter-Island Steamer

Sir.—Some friends of mine have just come down from Wellington on the steamer express leaving on March 29. Complete with infant, they arrived at the ship at 7 p.m. and were allowed, together with a couple of hundred other passengers, on board, but their tickets were not taken. About 20 minutes later all of them were turned off the ship, made to queue, and then allowed to embark again while their tickets were collected at the gangway. What stupid waste of time and how inconsiderate! Why not use some commonsense and collect the tickets when the passengers are first allowed on the ship?—Yours, ett. H. R. HORNSBY. March 31. 1961. (The Union Steam Ship Company replies; “It is the company's policy to extend every consideration to passengers by allowing them to embark and occupy cabins from 4 p.m. or earlier in special cases, and for which purpose some stewards are

in attendance, but as these haesengers are free to come end go their tickets are not collected until the gangways are manned. In normal circumstances the few passengers on board are not required to go ashore when full staff searches the ship at 645 p.m.. their tickets being collected on board. At holiday times, however, it is the experience that larger numbers embark early at WelImgton and as it is characteristic of holiday travellers to move round more freely on board it is difficult to m ?^ e an effective check while they remain on board and. having tried alternatives. the company considers the existing system involves the least Inconvenience and delay to passengers. Elderly passengers or mothers with young families are not sent ashore and special circumstances are always given consideration."!