STEWART ISLAND SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 24601, 25 November 1941, Page 4

STEWART ISLAND SERVICE

Fishermen Express Dissatisfaction

After a meeting of Stewart Island fishermen to discuss the steamer service between Bluff and the island, a report has gained currency that the present service may be discontinued at the end of this year. The suggestion was referred to Captain R. J. Hamilton, operator of the service, last night and his reply was non-committal. It is understood that the fishermen expressed dissatisfaction with the service. Their principal complaint was that it was not sufficiently regular for their purposes. It was reported in Invercargill yesterday that a suggestion had been made that the former Government steamer, Hinemoa, which is now lying at Little Glory, Stewart Island, might be purchased by a syndicate and placed on the service if Captain Hamilton should decide to relinquish the run maintained by the Tamatea. The Hinemoa has been at Little Gory for more than 10 years after operating for two seasons between Bluff and the West Coast Sounds. Several suggestions have been made within recent years for the utilization of the Hinemoa as a fish manure factory, as a floating hotel for the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington and a vessel for the Norfolk Island service. None of the schemes was adopted. It is understood that the vessel is available for .sale at a low figure.