UPOKONGARO FERRY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20050, 7 April 1914, Page 7

UPOKONGARO FERRY.

TO BE RE-OPENED

COUNTIES TAKE JOINT CONTROL

Three or four months ago the Upokongaro ferry was closed by the Wanganui County Council. The ferry was; greatly missed, and an agitation was set up to have the ferry re-opened. Settlors waited on the Waitotara Council, the Waitotara County Council made representations to the Wanganui Council. "Considerable correspondence passed between the two Councils, and the Minister for Public Works was approached. A deputation from the Wanganui Council waited on the Waitotara County Council yesterday, and as a result, an arrangement was come to providing for the re-opening of the ferry.

Mr E. E. Fletcher placed the position before the Council. He said that th© river traffic had increased enormously and the risk of accident had increased. To bear any liability that might arise through accident was too much a responsibility ■ for one Council, while it was desirable that the profit and losses should be equally shared.

Mr Glenn pointed out that the Wanganui Council intended communicating with the Minister for Public Works, and place the whole position before him. The upshot*"woulß probably be the setting up of a commission, the compulsory sharing of the responsibility, and jointcontrol.

Mr Higgie said that the Wanganui Council had always been prepared ••o share and share alike in connection with the ferry.

Mr. Ritchie (chairman of Waitotara Council) said that the matter ibad always been a lion of contention, and the Waitotara Council had always been regarded as the "simple pidgeon." The speaker quoted from minutes passed by the Council 30 years ago. He said that the ferry was used to transfer the traffic from the right bank to the Waitotara 6i"de, where the roads were better. In regard to the risks referred to, he did not think there were any. The ferry was on the river long before the steamers and launches, and it had a prior right. The bridges, he said, were more dangerous than the ferry. Mr Russell moved, and Mr Mitchell seconded: " The Waitotara County Council by resolution agrees to shaire equally with the Wanganui County Council any profits or losses incurred by the Waaganui Cbunity Council In (connection with the working of the ferry service at Upokongaro, including any claims which may have to be met by the Wanganui County Oounjcil in respect of damages and accidents caused by the ferry service, ferry plant or appliances, provided that a joint committee of three members from each Council takes full charge of the working of the ferry, the plant and appliiances, and agrees to the requirements of the Wanganui Education Board as to the carriage of the children to and from school as set out in the Board's letter of Feb. 28, 1914." The motion was carried.