THE UPOKONGARO FERRY

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12394, 19 February 1908, Page 4

THE UPOKONGARO FERRY

The residents on both sides of the river near Upokongaro have very naturally been greatly concerned at the regent decision of the Wanganui County Council to close the ferry there. The ferry has been in use for over 30 years, and has been so much used during that period that it has grown to be something more than a mere public convenience. It has become, in fact, a public necessity, and will become more so than ever as population increases. To townspeople, also, the closing of the ferry would be a matter of some concern, inasmuch as the drive or ride to Upokongaro, thence across the ferry, and back to town by the other eide, is one of our most pleasant and favourite outings. The County Council has had a difficulty in arranging for the carrying on of the ferry in future, following upon the present lessee's throwing up of his lease, and not caring about taking it on itself, decided, as- stated, to close it. It would be a great pity if tkis were done, and if it came to the worst, it would be a wise proceeding on the part of the Council to pay a small subsidy to a les3ee to insure him against loss, which subsidy it might be possible to have supplemented by other>local bodies whose ratepayers are affected. We are glad to hear, however, that there is a reasonable prospect of the ferry being carried on as heretofore. We are informed that negotiations are in progress for the continuance of traffic and tha% it is proDaole that matters will be definitely fixed up in two or three days. We sincerely hope the result will justify the expectation, for the ferry takes the place of a bridge at that point, and to close it would be practically the same as closing an important bridge which acted as an essential link between two different districts.