STEAMER FARES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17390, 30 January 1917, Page 3

STEAMER FARES.

A PROTEST FROM SYDNEY,

LETTER RECEIVED BY CITY COUNCIL.

An unusual letter was received by the City Council last night from Mr LHart, of Mosman, Sydney, who' wrote drawing attention to the increas6 in steamer fares, stating that every time a strike occurred, and on the slightest pretext, the fares were raised, and kept up. The distance between Sydney and Hobart return was about the same as between Sydney and Wellington, and yet the return fare to Hobart was ever so much cheaper than the single fare to Wellington. The matter concerned the city of Christchurch, as tourist traffic was being diverted from Now Zealand to Hobart. He suggested that the time was opportune to protest against a very serious state of affairs, which prejudiced Chrischurch citizens as well as New Tiealnndors generally. Councillor J. 0. Jameson moved that the letter should be referred to the Chamber of Commerce, remarking that the matter to which it referred wasoutside the city boundary. " I don't know about that," said Councillor W. H. Cooper, " hut there is a great deal of truth in it. They charge what thev like and give us what they like."

''lt is one of the bigcest octopuses in New Zealand." said Councillor F. Burgoyne, " and the sooner the Government does somethinfr the better/' On the -motion of Councillor H. J. Otlp-<v who said that the matter had nothing to do w ; th the council, the letter was received.