THE ONEHUNGA SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 8

THE ONEHUNGA SERVICE.

Though the news - scarcely comes as a surprise, the cessation of the passenger steamer service between New Plymouth and Onehunga will close a fairly important chapter in the history of transportation in New Zealand. In the half-cen-tury during which the service has been maintained there have been many vicissitudes and developments in regard to harbour matters in Taranaki. The establishment of a deep sea port has of necessity limited the development of coastal traffic in the form of transhipments, just as the opening of the main trunk railway did away with the passenger traffic through New Plymouth between Wellington and Auckland. When the Taranaki connection with the main trunk line is completed the number’ of seaborne passengers to Auckland will undoubtedly be reduced almost to vanishing point, and the Northern Steamship Company can scarcely be blained for withdrawing from the service before further losses are incurred. The coming of the motor has had even greater effect upon the steamer service than the opening of the railway did so far as Taranaki is concerned. With the erection of the bridge over the Mokau River and the opening of the Awakino Valley road, the journey to Auckland by road has been made comparatively easy, and one that can be accomplished in a few hours. As a consequence, particularly in view of possible delays in crossing the bar at Onehunga, it is little wonder that the number of motor-borne passengers has continued to increase. Except in regard to harbour board revenue there seems no reason to fear that the substitution of a cargo vessel for a mail steamer will have any ill effect upon trade between Auckland and Taranaki. The vessel to be provided will be sufficient for the cargo offering, and the passenger traffic will find other services available. It is pleasant to note that the

break in the long-established steamer service does not come about through public discontent or any friction between the shipowners and the port authorities. The former are voluntarily relinquishing a business in which they have rendered good service, but which for economic reasons it is no longer profitable to continue. Such “'breaks with the past” are inevitable if progress is to be sustained.