NELSON TO WELLINGTON.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13775, 16 July 1913, Page 1 (Supplement)

NELSON TO WELLINGTON.

IMPROVED STEAMER SERVICE

ADVOCATED

<From "The Colonist," July 8.)

A matter of very considerable interest to the travelling public was discussed at last night's meeting of the Chambor of Commerce. This was an improved steamer service between Nelson and Wellington. In bringing the matter up Mr C. R. Fell said ha thought tho time had arrived when they might fairly urge the Union Steamship Company to give the people of Nelson better facilities for reaching Wellington. Ho did not want to say anything about the way Nelson had" been treated in the past, but he thought that tlio present facilities could bo improved. Nelson was now served with three steamers of the fleet, and two of them were vbry uncertain, as they wero not infrequently stuck up on the West Coast. Tho other was in the Launceston-Melbourno service in almost pre-histcric times. He thought - that the deputation whon in Wellington should wait upon tho manager of tho Union Company and urge 1 upon him the desirability of putting better steamers in the trade. Nelson he believed, lost.a lot of through tourist traffic owing to the inconvenient running of the steamers. Represontations; he said, should also be made to the local manager on this subject. Ho mqved that the deputation wait upon the Wellington manager in regard to this matter. .

Mr J. H. Cock said tho Union Company's passenger traffic was growing beyond the bounds properly provided for by tho !boats they were sending here, and he supported the motion.

Mr H. R. Duncan said ho understood tlio Union Company were now considering the question of providing a better steamer service to Nelson. Now that tlio dredging had been done by the Harbour Board he hoped there would bo a regular direct service between Nelson and Wellington.

Mr A. A. Lucas said that in Melbourne he visited the Tourist Department, and was informed that Nelson was frequently cut out because of tho inconvenience of the steamer service. There was no steamer from Nelson to Wellington from Saturday till Tuesday', and he thought that this should bo remedied. Mr T. A. H. Field said if there was a better steamer service Wellington people would come to Nelson for the week-end. - The motion was carried.

A mooting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon for the purpose of laying before Mr. Monson, local manager for tho Union Steamship Company, the views ox the Chamber a# expressed at tho last meeting with regard to a better passenger service between Nelson and Wellington. Mr. Monson met the council in a very good spirit and promised to place the matter before the general'manager. It is probable! that the Chamber of Commerce deputa-! Tien when it visits Wellington on the railway and other matters., will inter- j view Mr. Kennedy, the Wellington j manager of the Union Steamship Company, on the same matter.