The Upokdngaro Ferry.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 13791, 28 September 1912, Page 6

The Upokdngaro Ferry.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —There is a good deal of justice in your correspbndcnt “Ratepayer’s” complaint anent the condition of the Upokongaro ferry. It is, as he says,' “disgraceful,” hut “Ratepayer” is hardly, fair in attributing all the blame to the Wanganui County Council. It is well known that, the' Waitotara County Council has never reasonably contributed towards the cost of upkeep, while ' the- .Mangawhero Road 1 - Boaid had .so- little regard, for the interest of its ratepayers that it closed the ferry. The Wanganui County Council, rather -than see the settlers inconvenienced, took it over, and has been running it -ever, since. W’hile, admittedly, the ferry is anything but satisfactory, “Ratepayer” should not forget that- the Wanganui County Council lias provided a new punt and many other reciuifements, and I suspect the Council’s'books will show that it is being run -at considerable loss. The late Mr David Mason had a scheme for abolishing the ferry service and erecting a light suspension bridge, and hut for his untimely death no doubt it would ore now have become an accomplished fact. The ferry service never will be “satisfactory,” and now is the time for the County Council to justify its existence and give ns a more np-to-datc mode of transit than the obsolete one at present in use.—l am, CC ” . ANOTHER RATEPAYER.