ST. HELIERS STEAMER SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 14

ST. HELIERS STEAMER SERVICE.

Sir, —I was pleased to notice the very favourable hearing the City Council gave to the proposal of the Tamaki Road Board for St. Heliers and Kohimararna to be served by a sea servi'ce, which is quite as it should be, if only to ease the awful wear and tear of the roads. There are many better reasons, as we all know, especially the children, to whom a sea trip on a fine day is one of the greatest pleasures. ' Then, again* for those wishing to camp for the holidays, a steamer offers greater facilities for taking down the necessary outfit, which would otherwise require an express cart,"as the buses carry only the individual. The main reason for this letter is a warning, and if a summer service is established, it must be distinctly understood that no opposition can be 'tolerated. This the City Council and the Harbour Board can ensure. Also, concession cards in any form must be banned. In the old days the opulent resident paid 3s 6d per week to travel as often as he liked, while the daily patron paid 8d per trip, or Is return Surely it is not fair for the man who must use the service (meaning the resident) to depend upon the casual traveller and the excursionist to make good his deficiency for value received. I am sure a flat rate of 6d a journey and half price to children under 10 years, at all times, would keep the service solvent, provided the capital value of steamers was not too heavy arid the staff not too numerous or overpaid. This service can only he done by a steamer, motor-Tboats are useless, especiallv when sea is choppy, but these details will be attended to "bv those who know best what is necessary, and I hope soon to hear of the inauguration of what I consider must be a prosperous venture and one that will have a very important influence on the settling of the district until such time as the railway and the waterfront road play their part in the advancement of these beautiful suburbs. Tamaki Ratepayer.