UPOKONGARO FERRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 212, 10 September 1935, Page 8

UPOKONGARO FERRY

MINISTER MAY ACT QUESTION OF UPKEEP. WAITOTARA COUNTY DISCUSSION A new factor has entered into the question of whether the Upokongaro ferry will, or will not, run with both the Waitotara and Wanganui counties as joint contributors —The Minister of Public Works! According to a letter read to the "Waitotara County . Council yesterday from the Hon. J. Bitchener, there i» provision under existing legislation for one local body to maintain a ferry and look to anotaer body which benefits from it for a share of the cost. The matter arose as the result of a letter from the Wanganui County intimating that it did not propose to continue with the ferry. Ur. R. Farley thereupon produced the Minister’s letter, which had been written to Mr. J Al. Low, and a further letter written by Mr. W. Ford to Mr. Farley. The Minister stated that he would be pleased to furnish further particulars and Mr. Ford stated that it was essential that the ferry should be kept open for tne sake of the Upokongaro School, which would fall in grade if the pupils on the Waitotara siue of the river could not attend. Mr. Ford stated that there were 80 signatures to a petition to keep the ferry open. Cr. W. Morrison (chairman): The position is that we are prepared to go on if Wanganui will continue under tne old basis of fifty per cent. 1 am not in favour of going on now that Wanganui has [>uiled out, and 1 am not in favour of asking Wanganui for a share. Cr. A. A. Win wood: That is another point you are trying to work is it? We can go on and Wanganui will have to pay. Isn’t that the position? Mr. Morrison: Not necessarily. tr. Farley: If both side:; of the river want the ferry Wanganui will have to contribute fifty-fifty. A Voice: Then let the BrunswickWestmere Riding do it for this side. Cr. R. Laird said that it was no use meeting the Wanganui County again. The question was whether it was worth while taking the matter up with the Minister, 'rhe speaker was in favour of obtaining further particulars from that quarter. Cr. Morrison: As far as I am concerned I am not in favour of asking Wangan i for a share. Cr. Winwood wanted to know whether it was a fact that when the ferry had been a payable proposition Wanganui had stepped in and taken it from Waitotara, and that now it was a burden Wanganui wanted to hand it 1 :k. The chairman: The whole question now is whether'the ferry is of public interest. Cr. Laird moved that the Minister be written to for further particulars. Cr. Fa. ley seconded. Cr. Jones: The next move should come from the ratepayers concerned, not from us. He moved that the matter be held in abe; ance and that it be left to the ratepayers concerned to make the next move. Mr. Morrison s -onded. Cr. Jones’ amendment was carried, those opposing it being Crs. Richardson, Laird, Winwood and Farley.