USE AS FERRIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23375, 17 June 1939, Page 14

USE AS FERRIES

v: r. ; - TWO AUCKLAND SHIPS ; ■ • OFFER TO WELLINGTON ' ' CENTENNIAL HARBOUR SERVICE ■ - [BY TELEGRAPH— OWN CORRESPONDENT WELLINGTON, Friday Consideration is to be given by the authorities interested in the provision' of transport to and from the Centennial < Exhibition to the erection of a temporary jetty at the head of Evan's Bav ? • •• for the berthing of ferry steamers. It ' is doubtful whether the Miramar Wharf will be available. '■.'■'■Mi»■■■■

Two Auckland steamers have been - offered to the Eastbourne Borough Council with.a view to their use in the ' sen-ice during the exhibition. The town clerk of Eastbourne, Mr. C. L. Bishop, stated to-day that the Northern Steam- 1 ship Company, Limited, had offered two t steamers —the Rangitoto, which is licensed to carry 2100 passengers, and '' the Wairua, which would be licensed to carry about 500 or 700 passengers, and compares in capacity with th* Cobar.

The council, Mr. Bishop continued, would possibly charter one vessel, hut \ it could not commit itself until it was\ : certain that berthage would he able at Evan's Bay. The Wellington ! Harbour Board had stated that the 1 Miramar Wharf was used by cargo vessels to such an extent that it might not always be available for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. :•?. Both the Rangitoto and the Wairua are out of commission at present. The Rangitoto was formerly used as an excursion vessel to Motuihi, and the Wairua was on the Northern Wairoa run between Dargaville and Helenßville.