Taranaki Herald.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13921, 26 March 1909, Page 4

Taranaki Herald.

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1000. THE BREAKWATER TRAFFIC

It. was only to Ih> expected tliiit the passnii<vr traliir over the breakwater would l>e considerably reduced when the Trunk Railway between Auckland and Wellington was completed ; in fact, the Ji arbour Hoard estimated to lose perhaps a half of the revenue from this source. There axe very many people who prefer to travel greater distances and endure mufch discomfort in a railway carriage rather than face a sea trip, even in fine weather; and when the land journey between Auckland and Wellington can be accomplished in quickci time and for less money than by the rail and steamer ii is only natural that much of the traffic has been diverted. The Union and Northern Sleam Shipping Companies have, however, decided to charge reduced fure between the breakwater and, Onehuuga as from April 1, when the rates will be 20s saloon »single, 85s saloon return (the same rates as obtain between Wellington and Lyti elIon), 15s steerage single, and ?2s (id steerage return. These amounts will include the passenger tax, half of which has hitherto been added to the fares. This means that saloon passengers will save 11s on a single journey and 12s on a return journey — a liberal concession which ought to have the effect of recovering a proportion of the traffic. * During the winter months the Union Company will run only one steamer between here and Onehunga, the Takapuna (to be relieved by the Rotoiti after the latter has been surveyed) making two trips — Thursdays and Saturdays — northwards and returning here on Saturdays and Tuesdays, continuing to Wellington on the latter day. Probably ttye Northern Company will also only make two trips a week during the winter, but it is intended to resume the daily service in the summer, and we hope that a year hence the traffic will warrant a daily service the year round. However, though we lose the daily connection with Auckland ifor a while we shall gain a compensating advantage in another direction, for the Union Company has decided to run the Koonya alternately with the Corinna, giving us a weekly cargo boat from Wellington and South Island ports and a fortnightly service from the Bluff, a convenience merchants have been endeavouring to secure for some time. In addition, the Koonya will provide a new cargo service from this port to Nelson, Westport and Greymouth. This has been a long felt want, as inquiries are often made for a regular direct service from here to the West Coast for our dairy produce, bacon, etc. There has been a general hardening of freight rates in coastal services, and we understand that instead of 10s per ton between Wellington and New Plymouth and between this port and Onehunga the rate will in future be 12s 6d. The shipping companies will also ask the Harbour Board to meet them in the way of reducing the passenger tax. The Union Company has always catered liberally for the trade of this port, and though the loss of so large a proportion of the passenger traffic has compelled some curtailment of the service between here and Onehunga, the new facilities given by the Koonya will be df great assistance to the trading community by enabling them to open up new relationships with Southland and the West Coast. As for the Auckland connection, we feel sure that as the population and trade of Taranaki increase

tlie imfi'ic, both and pa.*snn<>'(.'v, boiweeu lieiv and Oncliuiig'ii will steadily increase also, and that before very long we shall have a full daily service again.

The ceremony of laying the la.-,! block of tho King's Whari, Wellington, costing, with two sheds and breastwork, £79,440, was conducted yesterday by Mr T. ;\F. Wilfortl, M. P.,* chairman of the Wellington Harbour Hoard. — Press wire.

Last night the Wellington Cily C'ouiicil adopted the recommendation of ■« committee for the establishment of a depot where all milk for censumptien in the city shall bo examined and cooled. Tho cost according to a Prc-'s wire a\ ill ho about £0000 a year.

The amount of subsidy payable to the Taranaki County Council on rates collected by the Oakura Road Board during 1907-8 (£lOl 19s lid) is £25 9s lid, and W'aiwakaiho Road (£103) £~!8 sss. These amounts have been paid to the credit of the Council.

The erection or the monument at Marsland Hill is progressing satisfactorily. The base has been erected and a letter from Mosrs. Parkinson and Co., «>f Auckland, to the local secretary states that the monument has arrived at Auckland anchvi 11 he shipped to New Plymouth next Thursday.

Owing to the present unsatisfactory stato ot the law dealing with the enforcement of the paynu nt of rates by Natives, the Kaglan County Council lias written to all counties in the Auckland Province concerned with .Native rating, suggesting that a ccnferer.ee be held in Auckland to discuss the matter and take united action in trying to get the law amended. The Taranaki County Council has been asked to assist by getting its surrounding counties to take similar actioii.

The amounts allocated to he paid by the various local authorities to the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at 9d in the CIOO are as follows: — Taranaki County (ratable value -£2,031,928), £7GJ V.I, od ; Fitzroy Town Board (£110,901'). €43 16s 9d; Clifton County (€688. G0 7), £258 As 11(1 ; part of Eginout County (£459,435), £172 os 9cl ; liorough of New Plymouth (£1.096,547), £411 4s Id; Borough of Irtgle-vnorl (£131,322), £oQ 7s 4d; Borough of Waitara (£133,037>; £49 17s 9d.

At yesterday's meeting of the lynox College (the new Presbyter i an residential college at Dur.edin) the muster reported that there would he 41 students in residence during Vlu; winter. Tho official opening, at which the Go vernor and Sir Joseph Ward have signified their willingness to i>e present, \\ ill not take place until ihe end of May, but the college will bo open to students on April 22. On that day. says a Press wire, all students m ill take up their rtsidence. except the medicals, whose session docs not begin until May 1.