THE FERRY SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 35

THE FERRY SERVICE .

OVEBCROWDEI) STEAMERS.

AUCKLAND PAPER’S CRITICISM.

(From Oub Own Correspondent ' •AUCKLAND, March 2. In an editorial the New Zealand Herald says:—-“Practically all visitors to the South Island are commenting on the overcrowding of the ferry steamers running between Wellington and Lyttelton. These steamers are being overcrowded to a really dangerou, extent. This does not refer to a few trips, because it has been going on for weeks on both northern and southern runs, and is likely to continue until, and over, the Easter holidays unless at least one extra steamer is put on the service.

“ The conditions prevailing are most uncomfortable fqr the travelling public; they tend to give New Zeaalnd a bad name with overseas visitors, and worst of all, they add a decided element of danger to the journey. Cook Strait has not a good weather reputation, and should aa accident occur to a steamer carrying passengers sleeping on decks and in corridors the consequences might be so disastrous that the country would be appalled, and the blame would very naturally be placed on the Government because of the laxity of its Marine Department. “While the passenger traffic is heavy the Union Steam Ship Company is no doubt finding it profitable to crowd the steamers, but that is no reason why tho Marine Department should fail in its obvi* ous duty to protect the public. If thq department insised on limiting the passengers to a number consistent with safety* and comfort the Shipping Company would have no difficlty in finding a suitabl* steamer, or steamers, to relieve the congestion.”

It has been pointed out to us, with’ reference to the above allegation* that the steamers engaged in tho Cook Strait Ferry service are being overcrowded, that the steamers arc licensed to carry tne number of passengers that is regarded as consistent with comfort. A careful watch is, we aro assured, kept by the Government officials upon the number of persons hoard the steamers so that the limit afforded by the license is not exceeded. The life-saving appliances that are oarried on the steamers aro specified ’ regulations issued by the Marino Department and these regulations aro observed.

The following appeared in our Second Edition last week: