A RIVER FERRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 82, 7 April 1932, Page 9

A RIVER FERRY

UPOKONGARO SERVICE HIGH COST OF UPKEEP. A NEW ARRANGEMENT SOUGHT. At a conference of representatives of the Wanganui and Waitotara | County Councils yesterday a decision was arrived at to dispose of the Upokongaro ferry by public tender. It was admitted by both counties that tho service was costing too much money to be run by ratepayers. At the same time, it was recognised that > some means of conveying school children over the river was necessary. Tho Wanganui County was represented by Crs. D. Mackintosh, W. Craig and W. E. Broderick, with the engineer (Air. R. R. Dawson). Waitotara was represented by Crs. W. Morrison, R. Laird, R. Farley and tho engineer (Air. T. Dix). Cr. Mackintosh presided. Air. W. Ford, chairman of the Upokongaro School Committee, stressed tho need of the ferry to convey children over tho river. The settlers were anxious to keep the ferry open, but, at the same time, they realised the necessity to cut down expenses. The counties could not afford to pay £3 a week to keep the service going. He noticed that the Education Board paid a subsidy of £3O a year. Perhaps a scheme could be framed whereby the ferryman’s wages would be fixed at 30s and a free house. There were 20 children used the ferry. The speaker realised that the settlers did not patronise it as much as they used to. Cr. Mackintosh, questioned whether it was fair to ask all ratepayers in tho

two counties to contribute to the cost. It might be better to adopt a special rating- area within a certain radius. Air. Ford: I don’t think that would be fair, because people from a distance use the ferry. Proceeding, Air. Mackintosh, commented on the extraordinary way in which the ferry had been run n the past. The Waitotara County had not contributed anything until recent years. In 1911-12 the ferry cost £264 to run, less tolls of £54. Waitotara’s contribution was £l4 and Wanganui’s £156. The following year Waitotara found £l5 and Wanganui £2O, when the cost was £144, less tolls of £lO9. In 1913-14 the cost of running was £137, less tolls £4O, leaving £97, which was found by the Wanganui County, Waitotara contributing nothing. From then on the Education Board came into the matter with a subsidy and the two counties each contributed an equal share. Now, it was obvious that tho ferry was costing the ratepayers too much, particularly in the Wanganui County. Alethods of transport had changed so vastly in the past few years. In the old days of horse travel I he ferry had served a very useful purpose. Now, the motorists did not waste the time and the ferry was mainly serving tho interests of school children. The speaker agreed that in loing that it was entitled to consideration, but it was obvious that the present expenditure could not go on when were asking for reductions in rates. Air. Aforrison said that Waitotara had contributed its share since 1914. At that time a bridge was contemplated. That proposal was now out of the question. Settlers said that from a social point of view, they wanted a ferry. That was all right provided they were prepared to pay for the service. Air. Broderick pointed out that £l5O was being paid to take children to school. The difficulty might be got over by getting the ferry run under private enterprise. It could make little difference to the education authorities whether the children were taken to Aramoho or Upokongaro. Air. Laird agreed that the present cost was too much. It should be cut in half. The ferry was used to convey children of ratepayers to school and, if it could be run more economically, it should be kept going. Ho did not favour tho idea of a rating area. Air. Farley supported a proposal to call for tenders for the ferry. If it was closed tho education authorities would have to find some way of getting the children to Aramoho and that would cost them more than £3O. He was of opinion that the ferry service should be run at some little cost to the counties. At present, it was certainly costing too much. Air. Craig was of opinion that the closing of the ferry would mark a retrograde step. Mr. Dix pointed out that the Education Department was against encouraging small schools. If the ferry was closed the children in tho neighbour hood would be penalised bccau.se of lack of transport. He suggested that applications be invited for taking over the ferry. The Waitotara County was providing grazing land for the ferryman. Air. Dawson suggested that a correct tally of stock crossing by ferry be obtained. The decision to call for applications to take over tl# ferry, as from June 1. next, was sup;»ortc<l unanimously.