THE OLD FERRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19789, 12 March 1927, Page 6

THE OLD FERRY

INTRUSION OF BUSES COUNTY COUNCIL ANNOYED Annoyance that the City Council, by instituting a bus service from Papaitl to Aramoho, had superseded the Wanganui County Council's ferry maintained at Upokongaro, at a loss for many years, was expressed by th© County chairman (Mr A. D. Mackin - tosh) at a meeting yesterday. The chairman characterised as discourteous the action of the Education Board in cutting out its subsidy at a few hours ’ notice. His own opinion was that the ferry would now have to gx>. The clerk (Mr G. H. Darbyshire} said the Education Board was subsidising the bus service to the extent of 30s a day.

Cr W. E. Broderick said there were two sides to the question. Th.e Makirikiri School was overcrowded, and possibly the Education Board wanted to avoid giving the Makirikiri children decent accommodation. He thought the school was at present not fit to ga into. He hoped the health inspector would pay it a visit. At the same time, he added, the Papaiti settlers stiu wanted to send their children to Makirikiri. The ferry had been carrying children across the river for SO or 40 years. Cr T. Hine: Surely we are not suggesting closing a useful public service simply because we are £4s in revenue from the childcrn. The chairman: After the children are taken away there is practically nothing. Cr H. Hamilton asked if the Conner! had power to close the ferry. Cr Kennedy: We can’t reasonably keep it open for the sake of three or four casual passengers.