THE HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 10, 12 January 1900, Page 2

THE HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE.

AGITATION FOR AN IMPROVEMENT. Tho agitation for an improved means of transit to the eastern shores of »uc harbour has now tiikcu definite form. At a meeting held in tho Chamber of Commerce last evening and attended by about 30 residents and property-holdors in Rona Bay, Muritai, and ,the neighbourhood, proposals which it is expected will meet the case were adopted. Mr. A. P. Mason presided. Mr. F. G. Bolton, on behalf of the conveners of 'the meeting, poimted out that whereas v. year, or two back there were only two or three residents on the other side of the harbour, there were now two or three hundred. An improved service, which had long been promised but had never eventuated, would mean an increased value of property, besides being a necessary convenience. If the present proprietor of the ferry service would not meet the residents, they must look elsewhere. The present proposal was to form a company and build another wharf at some suitable site selected by experts and give in the first instance the proprietor of the present service, against whom there was no antagonistic feeling, an opportunity of running a daily service there at reasonable fares. If he would not come to terms,- then some other arrangement must be made. The company should have a limited capi- , tal of, say, £2000, of which £1000 or' £1200 might be required for the wharf, and the balance might be held to meet expenses of maintenance and possibly the payment of a subsidy in! the event of it being found necessary to run a steamer in opposition to Mr. Williams and a loss resulting through the "cutting" of fares. The Harbour Board would give a lease for 14 years at a nominal rental. He moved "That in the opinion of this meeting the time has now arrived when a daily service should be instituted between the city and the eastern side of the harbour, and that for this purpose a company , with a capital of £2000 in £1 shares be. formed with *the object of erecting a wharf on a suitab\e site to be selected by the directors of such company, and to make arrangements,' with the proprietor. of a- ferry steamef to run a daily service to such wharf." Mr. F. Jfoldsworth seconded the motion. ' -, After some discussion an amendment was moved by Mr. L. C. Woolcott to the effect that Sir. Williams, proprietor of the present ferry service be interviewed and asked to state definitely what concessions he i^ prepared to grant residents in the" matter of a doily service, reduction of fares, and season tickets. Eventually the motion and amendment were embodied and carried unanimously, and the follo'win.g were appointed to act on the deputation: — Messrs. D. Robertson, F. Mills, F. G. Bolton, Clapham, F. Holdsworth, Mason, Hey wood, and Woolcott.' 'The deputation was instructed to report as soon as possible, and in the event of the terms offered by Mr. Williams being considered unsatisfactory, itwas agreed to proceed at once with the formation of the company in terms of the resolution.