DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 273, 20 November 1919, Page 4

DISLOCATION OF TRAFFIC.

Another strong argument in favor of the early completion of the South Island Main Trunk /Railway and the establishment of a State, ferry service across Cook Strait from Picton to Wellington is afforded by the dislocation of the mail and passenger service which. has ensued upon, the temporary withdrawal of the Pateena. This vessel, as is well known, has been behaving peculiarly of.-laite, and has at length been detained in Wellington for repairs to her. steer---ii.g-gear. Word was, received in Blenheim yesterday,,,that she would probably sail for .picton and Nelson late "at'night, but..a later message, despatched shortly after six o'clock, stated that her departure had been delayed until Friday. This morning it was learned that she would probably leave on Saturday. Everyone who has had occasion to travel by the Pateena during the • past few weeks v'ill be relieved to, learn that her steering-gear is being-overhauled, but the natural question is, Why were arrangements not mfide, prior to her withdrawal, to replace her by another vessel, in order that traffic might not be dislocated and mails held up? When a boat engaged in the Wellington-Lyttelton service is laid by for overhaul, :c.are is always taken to maintain the timetable, and we consider that the people of Marlborough f:nd Nelson are entitled to the same consideration. Of course, in case of sudden emergency, the public are prepared to , suffer a. certain an cunt of inconvenience; but it lias been known for weeks that the Pate ona's steering-gear was at fault, and surely there was time to have ma.de arrangements for another boat to take up the running in her stead ?