THE FERRY SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 276, 14 August 1908, Page 7

THE FERRY SERVICE.

MAKING READY FOR THE MAIN TRUNK

THE NEW TIME-TABLE. RAILWAY SIDING TO THE KING'S WHARF. The Minister for Railways (Hon. HallJoiies) has promised tho public of Now Zealand that regular through traffic over the Main Trunk v line will bo commenced in November, and all work in connection with the consummation of that important project is bo ing tackled methodically and earnestly with that end in view. A chief factor in tho utility of the new railway system for mail and coiiimercial purposes—which may be' one and the samo thing—is the matter of connection. In the case of Wellington, thero will be 110 difficulty whatever if the time-tablo outlined by the Government is adhered to. ~As a matter of fact there will be a great deal more time for the handling of through mails, or "through" anything. else when the Main Trunk service, is established than is now the case. According to the new time-tablo the express train that is to leave Auckland at 8.30 p.m. will arrive in Wellington' at 3 p.m. to catch the ferry steamer leaving five hours later—at 8 p.m.; whereas there is a much closer connection at present, as tho train from New Plymouth, which connects with the 8 o'clock boat, does not arrive in Wellington until 7.20 p.m.,. The five hours' wait at Wellington in the Main Trunk service seems to be i* weakness iu the system, but is not one that can be easily avoided. With the express'arriving at 3 p.m., the commercial publio will be able to receive their Northern mail before 5 p.m., arid answer it the same night or the next morning in time to catch tho express leaving for tho North at noon. The Ferry Slda-Traok. A start' has already been made in' the direction of making a clearance of those lands (vested in the Railway Department), which front on to Waterloo Quay, to provide for a side-track that will branch off from tho main Government lino at Tliorndon Quay and cross tho intervening lands to the King's Wharf, whero 'it is understood the'-' ferry steamers are to bo berthed. The land; in question has several occupiers who are under notice to quit. The- line !of the wharf side-track is to travel thro'ughi'the yard now occupied by the Post Olfico stores department, and the principal work there has been the removal of a number of huge tanks, in which is stored the emergency supply of cable-in readiness for shipment at any time. _ These are being moved to a sito nearer Pipltea' Point, and arrangements are being made to provide medns of ■ transferring tho cable from tho new yards to the steamer that will tie up against the breastwork- betweon tho King's and the prospective • ferro-concrete wharf. Norton's boatshed, and Dimock's factory (either the whole or a part) are also to bo removed so that tho best curve may be obtained for the line that is to run the "Great Northern" express down to the ship's sido.

Ferry Tram Service. ' Another feature presents itself in regard to the wharf at which the Lyttelton-Welling-ton ferry boats of tho ' future are, to berth. Only a proportion of theso steamers' passengers will be concerned in the_catcbing of the through oxpress, and the King's Wharf is a long, way from anywhere. Recently the Council decided that amongst tho work for the current year would be tho continuation of tho Willis Street tram line straight down ■ to tho Post Office by way of . Customhouse Quay. In view of the . trend .of wharf construction: 1 towards, Pipitea Point it cannot, and "should not btj: long. before'i'thp * City"' C.ouaicilitook into earnest consideration the continuation of tha; Customhouse .Quay line down Waterloo Quay-in order to pick up traffic that is bound to develop with the completion of the King's and other now wharves about to bo erected. To continue this line, right round to Davis Street would make a serviceable loop that in a short time would develop into a very useful and payable section of our electric tramway system.