CHATHAMS VOYAGE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 10

CHATHAMS VOYAGE

Doubts About Ship (Parliamentaru Reporter) WELLINGTON, Nov. 15. Doubts about whether the usual pre-Christmas run to the Chatham Islands by the Holm Company’s ship would be made this year were expressed by two members of Parliament in' the House of Representatives.

Mr H. E. L Pickering (Government, Hurunui) asked the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) whether the usual trip, known as “round the islands,” would be made to the Chathams this year. “The steamer doing this run leaves stores and picks up the season’s wool clip, but information received by one farmer indicates that his wool will not be loaded until December, 1962,” said Mr Pickering. “This would necessitate holding the complete wool clip for one season, and there would be no stores for a considerable period.” Mr N. E. Kirk (Opposition, Lyttelton) suggested that the Minister should ascertain whether a ship would be running, and if not whether he would arrange extra flights of Sunderland flying boats of the R.N.Z.A.F. to get school children and other islands residents home for Christmas. Asked if the company proposed to cancel thb voyage, a spokesman for the Holm Company said today it was likely a vessel would make the trip. Discussions were proceeding, and more would be known shortly. The type of ship available, rather than whether a ship would go. was the subject of discussions.