NORTHCOTE VEHICLE FERRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 13

NORTHCOTE VEHICLE FERRY

Sir, —After attending the meeting of protest held in the King's Theatre, Northcote, as recorded in the Herald of August 8, I think that air motorists will realise that the Northcote residents are not only fighting for their own welfare, but also in the interests of all patrons of the service. The increase on freight due to extra distance and time will no doubt bo inevitable, and the loss of trade from passing motorists will' be severely felt by all tradespeople in tho district. The time taken by the vehicular ferry to travel from Northcote to Birkenhead landing is from five to six minutes, and there is need to emphasise the fact that to northbound traffic those minutes count in travelling time. The Northcote terminal is the shortest trip from Auckland and the grading from the landing is less severe and more direct than that of Birkenhead —an important factor to heavy transport. Our Auckland Harbour Board representative frankly claimed before an audience of 1000 people that, "The trouble would blow over —just a nine days' wonder." Can this be reasonable treatment to those concerned? I. know all will join with me in hoping the Hon. Minister of Transport will successfully exercise his power to eliminate such gross unfairness. D.S.