UPOKONGARO FERRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 158, 9 July 1935, Page 6

UPOKONGARO FERRY

SHOULD IT BE CONTINUED? WAITOT ARA SAYS “YES’; WANGANUI SAYS “NO.” The fate of the Upokongaro ferry, which has been in existence some 56 years, hangs on a very slender thread. There is a conflict of opinion as to whether it should be continued or not. Three petitions came before the Waitotara County Council at its meeting yesterday, two of them asking that the service be continued and the third requesting that the council press for conveyance of children to the Aramoho School. The latter petition stressed the worry which was caused to mothers of those children who had to be ferried over the river in an open boat, sometimes when the waters were turbulent with Hood. The Waitotara County Council expressed sympathy with those who desired the service to remain open, but regretted that it could not jhoulder the whole expense of upkeep, half of which was born by the Wanganui County, it was decided to ask the Wanganui County to continue to accept half the financial responsibility. Air R. Farley strongly supported retention of the service. He said that there were two communities, one on each side of the river, which had grown up side by side, with the ferry as a link, it’ the ferry was closed the link would be severed and the two communities would drift apart. Thu church at Upokongaro might just as well be closed, the blacksmith’s shop and other centres. Tbc chairman (Mr W. Aloriison) reported that a joint meeting Hud been held between the Waitotara County ferry committee members and the chairman and clerk of the Wanganui County. The Wanganui County bad decided to have nothing further to do with the ferry, and the question was whether Waitotara was prepared to saddle itself with the whole responsibility of upkeep. Last year that amounted to £66. Mr Farley: I will move that v\e write and ask that the Wanganui County come in as bet ore in maintaining the ferry, and that we ask to have a conference with it about, the matter. Once before the Wanganui County said it would nut contribute anything, but it came round in the end. There is to be a meeting at Upokongaro. and it may convince the Wanganui County. Air F. Handley was of opin.on that education should be cut right out ot the question and the matter looked at from the point of view of the settleis. The £4O paid by the Education Board could surely look after the education side of it. Mr R. Laird: The Wanganui County wns not prepared to contribute utice before, but pressure was brought to bear. Mr Morrison: We can’t forec them Air J. Cameruu: If Wanganui has ii> structed us officially that it has ceased taking any responsibility we are placed in this position: Either we take over the whole charge or it ceases altogether. I don’t see that there is any use asking tin* Wanganui County fol half if thev have officially said they won't have any more to do witii it. We all have sympathy for those con cerned, but when the other county puts its foot down what van we do? Mr Laird: They said that before and then paid half. Air Cameron: You mean to say that they' vacillated like that, a county like Wanganui? Air Farley’s motion to ask the Wan ganui County to come in and share tli< ■ same responsibility as before, and so liciting a conference with that objed in vieWj was carried.