LICENSING COMMITTEE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 146, 22 June 1937, Page 6

LICENSING COMMITTEE

RIVER PACKET LICENCES DECISION DLLLKKLD LNIiE TO-DAY To consider an application from Wanganui River Services, Ltd., for a renewal of packet licences tor the river boats Otunui and Wakapai and a licence for the Ongaru, an adjournled meeting of the Wanganui Licensing Committee was held yesterday. The committee announced that it would consider the applications and give a decision to-day.

Mr J. Hussey, who appeared lor the applicants, stated that the licence for the Ongaru for the middle section between Retaruke and Pipiriki would not be required until the tourist season commenced in November. Last year the boat was not in commission. The owners had tried to meet the wishes of the Tourist Department by making extensive alterations to the Ongarue so that she could be used in conjunction with th? Otunui in the middle reach. Steel protection had been placed around the vessel so as to make her draught-proof and more comfortable; deck chairs had also been installed instead of the former type of seats. Certain alterations had also been made to the interior of the boat. The tourist season would commence on November 1 and end on April 30, which was earlier than usual. The department had promised to place as much tourist trafhc on the river as possible. Supplying figures of passengers carried for the past season, Mr Hussey stated that the Wakapai carried 4006, Otunui 2470, and Waiora 1454. Of these 1025 were tourists, which was an advance of approximately 409 over the previous year. Ronald Hatrick said that the Wakapai had been purely on the Wanganui-Pipiriki section. This boat was now running one trip per week on account of carrying cargo for the convenience of settlers. She also took I passengers. There was also a through bus service so long as the roads remained open. There was no winter I service from Pipiriki to Retaruke, as the boats were not required to run so far under the new mail contract, and thd terminal point was Shaw’s Landing. This run was made twice weekly. Inspector Lander said that the passenger service on the Wanganui-Pipi-riki section was row negligible. The main traffic was on the middle section where the licences were warranted during the tourist season.