COOK STRAIT STEAMERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 272, 11 August 1920, Page 7

COOK STRAIT STEAMERS

ALTERATIONS OUTLINED, A deputation of members of Parliament and business men of Wellington, Marlborough, and Nelson waited on Mr. W. Kennedy, looal manager of tho Union.' Company, to ascertain the position regarding tho ferry services betweon this, .port aad Picton and Nelson. Mt. G. Mitchell, M.P., introduced the deputation, wjiich included Messrs, W. H. Field, M.P., W. G. Forbes, M.P., H. Atrnore, M.P., and It. P. Hudson, M.P., Mr. Will Lavrson (organisor of tho Marlborough Progress Committee), and members of the Central Progress League. Mr. Kennedy prefaced nis remarks with; tho statement that the company had, run a vessel between Wellington and Picton only, soma years ago, and tho' result wns a loss of .£IOOO in threa months; tho present service run by tha: Pateona had been unprofitable, too, during the past six months. However, tho, company recognised tho neods of tho peoplo of Marlborough, and Nelson, and, was making arrangements for improvements to come into force about October. The Araiura would then make daylight trips to and from Picton three times ft week, sailing from each end at about 1.30 p.m. On tho Nelson run the MapouriKa, after a thorough, overhaul, would sail three times a week, leaving each.; port at 7 p.m. These arrangements were, subject to confirmation, but would in all likelihood come into cffect at ths time mentioned. Deferring to Marlborough, Mr. Kennedy said that owing to. tho fact that nine-tenths of the Blon- : heim cargo was carried by' rivor boa's, and to otlior causes, there would havo to be an increase in the fares on that run. It remained to be seen whethw tho, new service would pay; ho hoped itwould. The Marlborough organiser stated that hie committee were taking stepe to attract traffic by advertising, and by increasing the accommodation at Picton and Blenheim.