FERRY SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 18962, 8 June 1923, Page 7

FERRY SERVICE

DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED. (Per United Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, June 6. At to-night's meeting of the CanterburyProgress League, Mr H. J. Knight, referring to the ferry service, said that owing to inclement weather and such causes, the Mararoa, for instance, frequently arrived late at Lyttelton, and missed the train connection. He moved that it be a recommenedation to the incoming executive to approach the shipping authorities with a view to having a better ferry service between the two islands. Mr H. J. Marriner said the service was run at a loss during the winter months and that was why the Mararoa was put on. Mr H. T. Armstrong, M.P., said that it was not exactly the question that the Wahine, for instance, did not pay. It was that it paid better to lay up the Wahine rather than the Mararoa. He did not blame the shipping company for making as much as it could, but he blamed the Government for making a contract that permitted such things. Mr P. R. Climie said that considerable inconvenience was caused at times to passengers and in connection with mails. However, he thought the matter was one that could only be fixed up satisfactorily on the floor of the House. He had no doubt that evidence on the subject would be forthcoming. At sittings of the South Island Shipping Committee it was decided to recommend that the South Island Shipping Committee should go into the matter and regard it as urgent.