STEWART ISLAND SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 75

STEWART ISLAND SERVICE.

TENDERS FOR LARGER VESSEL. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY PROMISED. INVERCARGILL, September 15. In the course of an interview the Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle) made reference to the efforts he has been making to obtain a very much improved steamer service between Bluff and Stewart Island.

After remarking that the Post and Telegraph authorities had agreed to the request of the Bluff Harbour Board that the Tamatea should take over the mail service until the end of the present year (when the existing contract expires) Mr de la Perrelle said that it was intended to call tenders almost immediately for a larger vessel to carry on the service as from January 1 next. With the object of assisting in that direction the Government had agreed to grant a subsidy up to £6OO per annum for a service that will adequately cater for the needs of passengers to and from the island. “ I hope,” said Mr de la Perelle, “ that full use will be made of the Government’s offer and that the outcome will be that a more comfortable allweather vessel will be placed in commission for the benefit of the people of Stewart Island, business and other people in Invercargill and Bluff and tourists who, in the past, becau- of the uncertain service, have not been able to visit the most southern of our scenic resorts.”