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Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1925, Page 2

As West Coasters are considerable travellers bv the ferry steamers plyin" between Lyttelton and Wellington, it is not unnatural that some interest should be taken in the discussion now going on affecting the Mararoa, the second ship of the service. The Marnroa is admittedly old, but according to the reports of the experts she is in good order and clean. It will lx l admitted also that she is not tin to ' date in her internal appointments, nor is she as roomy, but it would appear she is less costly to run, and at certain periods of the year, replaces the Wnhine. the fleet ship of the- ferry service. In regard to appointments and speed, the Wahine certainly outdis- j tances the Mararoa, and on the face I of ff, it is natural that there should

be ;i demand among the public for the better appointed and speedier boat. But the Mararoa. it is claimed by many travellers, is not without some excellent points in its favor. Of these the chief is the steadiness of the boat in ordinary weather. It is not so long ago that there were some misgivings about the safety of the Maori. There were never any qualms of fear about the Mararoa in that respect, for the latter boat has weathered out manv a

severe storm over a protracted voyage with a minimum of discomfort and an absence of alarm to her passengers. The .Mararoa has points of .steadiness in her favor which count with many folk, and that quality for the indifferent sailor often makes her the boat of special choice. Fortunately, on the avcralie, the ferry trip is invariably not unduly rough, and it is in such circumstances travellers appreciate saving an hour or two oil the trip. But the winter traffic is necessarily restricted and it would appear the Mararoa is the better economic proposition for the Company, lit any circumstance the Mararoa has served the travelling public well and safely.