No Rail Ferry

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32322, 13 June 1970, Page 1

No Rail Ferry

(N.Z. Press Association) I WELLINGTON, June 12. There will be no Cook Strait rail ferry sailings at the week-end, a spokesman for the Railways Department said this evening.

The service was disrupted yesterday afternoon by a dispute over the dismissal of five motormen from the Aranui.

The Railways Department said that the first possible sailing by the Aranui would be at 10 a.m. on Monday. Negotiations between the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd, and the Seamen’s Union would continue at the weekend, he said—but a Union Company spokesman said that

any developments were “unlikely.” The second Cook Strait ferry, Aramoana, is in the floating dock. More than 500 passengers, 200 vehicles, and 200 railway waggons have so far been affected by the stoppage. This morning, there were almost 100 vehicles with drivers and their families waiting patiently for, some sign of an end to the dispute, and the vessel’s sailing at 10 a.m. All the drivers affected by the 6.40 -p.m. sailing cancellation found hotel accommodation last night. They were back queued up at the terminal this morning, along with new arrivals for the 10 a.m. sailing. x They waited several hours again, until informed about 10.45 a.m. that the ship would not be sailing. All cars then dispersed.