Launch Fares Increased

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32166, 9 December 1969, Page 18

Launch Fares Increased

Increases in children’s fares on the Diamond Harbour launches were approved by the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening. Tho increase is 5c a trip.

The report of the launch manager (Mr D. E. Johnson), said that because the Marine Department had cancelled the launch allowance to carry two children in place of one adult, and because of the heavy cost of the last survey of the launch Ngatiki, he recommended children's fares be raised before the Christmas holidays. He recommended the child’s return fare to Diamond Harbour be increased from 15c to 25c, the 10c child single to 15c and the 70c child concession to $l, with the harbour cruise ticket from 15c to 20c.

Cr A. J. Beckett said the launch service had been losing money for years and raising children’s fares would not stop this. The service might be priced out of the market, and people might prefer to drive to Diamond Harbour.

Cr J. Baines said he felt the same. He thought It would be totally wrong to raise the fares, and that it would be unfair on the family man, » j The Mayor (Mr J. B. Collett), said that the launch had lost more this year than last year. Many of those using the launches were visitors and the Lyttelton ratepayers were, in effect, subsidising the fares of visitors. Cr E. A. Camfield said he was reluctant to put up fares but there seemed no alternative. If the increase was turned down the whole matter of fares would have to be reviewed.

Cr R. H. Duff said the increase would be less—only 2.5 c a trip—for Diamond Harbour residents buying concession tickets. If fares were not increased there would be a bigger loss which would have to be paid for by the ratepayers. The fares would be quite reasonable compared with those charged in other areas. The council had to face up to its responsibilities, Cr Duff said. “If you are not prepared to accept this, then you come up with a way of financing it” Cr Beckett moved an amendment that the child return trip be increased from 15c to 20c, and not to 25c. Mr Collett pointed out the increase to 25c meant an increase of 5c a trip, in line with the single-trip increase from 10c to 15c.

The amendment was lost, and Cr Baines then moved the fares remain unchanged. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the original report was adopted.

Use Of Funds.—Approval had been given by the Local Authorities Loans Board for $8725.28 in unexpended loan moneys from the Diamond Harbour sewerage extension loan to be used for the widening of Marine Drive. The Mayor (Mr J. B. Collett) said that, with subsidies, the sum could finance work costing $16,000. Pensioners’ Cottages.—A subsidy of up to $lO,OOO or half the cost, whichever was less, had been granted for the construction of four pensioners’ cottages, the council was told in a letter from the Health Department Applicants for the cottages should not have assets of more than $3300, the letter said. Another letter gave an amended tender for the cottages from. Hugbey Brothers, the amendment being because of increased costs. An increase of $490 to $19,960 was granted. Cr E. A. Camfield said it

was felt the asset limit of $3300 was unreasonable, and the finance committee recommended the Health Department be asked to reconsider. It was also recommended that the amended tender for the cottages be accepted. Scouts* Regatta^—Permission was granted the Boy Scouts Association to bold a regatta at Diamond Harbour next Easter subject to satisfactory health and other arrangements being made.

No Permit—On the recommendation of the town planning committee the council decided against granting Mr H. J. Manson a permit to operate a mobile fish and chip van in the borough. Loan Application.—The council resolved to apply to the Local Authorities' Loans Board for permission to raise a loan of $170,000 with a term of 20 years for the purpose of improving streets in the borough.