STEAMER SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26780, 25 May 1948, Page 8

STEAMER SERVICE

LAKE WAKATIPU RESIDENTS BOAT ON WEDNESDAYS The Earnslaw will provide a service every Wednesday for residents In the Lake Wakatipu area. This advice was given at a meeting at Glenorchy attended by officers of the Railways Department, Messrs W. H. Preston (district traffic manager), I. M. Malcolm (resident civil engineer, Invercargill), J. S. Orr (special officer), and Captain G. A. Herbert (officer In charge at Queenstown), and members of the Upper Wakatipu Progress League. The Lake County Council was represented by Cr W. H. Thompson and the county clerk (Mr E. R. Hopwood). Mr Preston explained to the meeting that the purpose of the visit was the discussion of the question of a Wednesday boat, with a view to minimising the isolation difficulties experienced by the residents. Mr T. A. Bartlett presented a schedule of requests and inquiries which embraced the handling .of the Lake County Council’s plant on the lake, steamer fares, the handling of petrol drums, bread, meat, sheep, cattle, cars and mail bags. The desirability of a light on the wharf was also mentioned. Mr Barlett suggested that the loud-speaker system on the boat should be used for the benefit of tourists. Mr Thompson' supported the league in the matter of facilitating the transport of the council's plant on the lake. Mr Preston stated that he had given close consideration to the request' for *a boat on Wednesdays. He was pleased to inform the league that the Earnslaw would run each Wednesday as from May 26. He stated that the continuation of the Wednesday service would only be possible w-ith the fullest support of the residents surrounding the western portion of the lake. The matter of steamer fares was at present being dealt with, as was the use of the loud-speaker system. The other requests made would be fully investigated, and every consideration given, said Mr Preston, as he fully appreciated the difficulties of the settlers in the area. Mr Hume and Cr Thompson thanked the department’s officers.