UPOKONGARO FERRY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 17, 15 October 1935, Page 5

UPOKONGARO FERRY

Reinstatement Wanted

Dominion Special Service.

Wanganui, October 14.

With the request that the county should have the Upokongaro ferry service reinstated, a deputation of residents of Upokongaro district waited on this morning's meeting of the Waitotara County Council. One member of the deputation said that with the cessation of the ferry service, which connects Upokongaro with Papaiti, settlers on the west bank of. the Wanganui River had to travel right into the city to go to Makirikiri. The chairman of the council, Mr. W. Morrison, said that in the past Wanganui and 'Waitotara counties had main; tained the ferry, but the Wanganui County was not prepared to keep it going. The Waitotara County was not prepared to force the hand of the Wanganui County, but was prepared to continue with the ferry if the Wanganui County was agreeable. Mr. IV. R. Ford, a member of the deputation, said the closing of the ferry meant that school children would be transferred to the Aramoho School, and consequently the grading of the Upokongaro School would be lowered. The Education Board had said it was cheaper to pav a subsidy to the ferry than transport the children to Aramoho. The county engineer, Mr. T. Dix, said the county had no power to act alone on the question, A report was tyfing prepared by the district engineer, who would recommend action that should be taken. The county could only advise the Minister of Public Works that it favoured the continuation of the service. It was decided to arrange a meeting between the two county councils to-dis-cuss the question.

The annual report of the Wanganui Swimming Centre states that the past season was a successful one. Swimming received a wonderful boost during the season, while the prospects were even brighter for this year’s activities. The centre’s finances were in a satisfactory position, and showed an improvement on the previous season.

Although the majority of electors in the suburb of Wanganui East have their interests in the city of Wanganui they are called upon to elect a candidate, for the Rangitikei district at the Parliamentary elections. A similar position prevails in Mosstowu, which is only a few miles out of the city, where the electors vote iu the Patea electoral district.