Board Backs Nelson Ferry

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30056, 14 February 1963, Page 12

Board Backs Nelson Ferry

(N.Z. Press Association) NELSON, Feb. 13.

An offer to back a claim for a sister ship to the Aramoana to operate through Port Nelson was made today by the chairman of the Apple and Pear Marketing Board, Mr J. H. Parker. He was speaking at a meeting between the board and the Nelson Harbour Board.

The main topic for discussion was the desertion of fruit shipments for the North Island from Nelson to Picton for consignment in the Aramoana.

Mr Parker said the board had no alternative but to take advantage of the better facilities offering. The Apple and Pear Board had emphasised the need for a second ship when it discussed the Aramoana freight rates with Railway Department officials, said the board’s general manager, Mr D. H. Campbell. The need for a second vessel was already apparent, he said, and if the facilities offering at Picton could be made available at Nelson traffic could flow through this port. Mr Parker, who was supported by members of his board, reiterated claims that rail shipments of apples to Auckland using the Ara-

moana, though more costly, prevented bruising and put the fruit on the Auckland market in better condition. Coastal shipping out of Nelson would need to provide facilities for palietthandiing of cases from the orchard to the market, he said.

The Harbour Board chairman,- Mr G. R. McKellar, has said earlier that his board has done its best to meet the needs of the fruit industry, but he today agreed the present problem was one for coastal shipping companies to solve. He warned that further decreases in revenue, which was down by £3OOO in the first quarter of the financial year, would force the board to increase its charges.

Mr Parker expressed' concern that the board had considered approaching the Government to have the notional' rail-road freight subsidy on fruit removed.

The outcome of the meeting was a decision to arrange a further discussion between the two boards and representatives of coastal shipping companies.