POPULAR EASTBOURNE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11045, 31 October 1921, Page 5

POPULAR EASTBOURNE

HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE PROPOSED PURCHASE OF NEW AND FASTER STEAMER. MAYOR’S SPLENDID WORK. In connection with the harbour ferry service to and from the popular borough of Eastbourne, considerable business was transacted at the last meeting of the Borough Council. The .Mayor (Mr F. 03. Mather) presided, and there were also present Councillors Hartridge, Shortt, Giles, Piicher and Green. The manager reported that during the month 48,372 passengers had been carrier!; the mileage travelled by the two steamers was 3645, and the coal consumption 161 tons. The total traffic receipts for the past month' were £l2lß 17s 3d, as against £1052 5s 2d for the same period last year. The receipts from April Ist to August 31st were £6433 4s lOd, and last year’s figures for the same period were £6066 5s lOd. LABOUR DAY’S EXPERIENCE. . Councillor Shortt referred to the fact that the Cobar had been used on Labour Day. He considered that the Duchess Bhould have been used owing to the exceedingly stormy weather, this vessel being more comfortable to travel in during such weather. Passengers had had an unenviable experience, especially those on the 5.10 p.m. boat, which had a shocking trip. The Mayor stated that he regretted the matter, but the very bad weather was not expected. He particularly regretted the fact that the ferry committee had overlooked the necessity for a boat at .eight o’clock in the morning, the absence of this boat having greatly inconvenienced a number of residents waiting to go to their work. It was stated that the ’bus contract in connection with 'the boats had now expired, and fresh arrangements were being- made. "It was probable that a motor service would he inaugurated to meet the boats and run to the limits of the borough. CARRIAGE OF BUILDING MATERIAL. Referring to the carriage of freight on boats the general manager > reported that he had had requests from various builders in connection with the carrying of building material. , The Mayor stated that at present it was not practicable without interfering with the regular running of the boats. He regretted this as the council should encourage (settlement as much as, possible, and would like to see something done in the direction of ihe carriage of building material, particularly in regard to the material for the proposed big private hotel shortly to be erected in the borough, and for which tenders were already being called. " v RONA BAY WHARF. , In reply to a request for wharfage extension at Rona Bay made recently to the Harbour Board by the council, a letter received stating the board’s willingness to undertake the necessaxv work under certain conditions, two alternatives in regard to the cost of erection being suggested. The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor to arrange, a report to be made to next meeting of the council. Councillors Hartridge and Shortt recorded the council’s appreciation of the able manner in which the Mayor had handled the subject of the ferry service at the meeting of ratepayers held during the. week. The proposed purchase of a new ferry steamer, was a very important and valuable project of the council, and had been placed before. the ratepayers veiy lucidly, and there was every indication that his address had explained away many difficulties voiced by ratepayers.