INTERPROVINCIAL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 422, 6 August 1880, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL.

[Special to the Mail]

(from ova own correspondent.)

Christchurch, August 5.

The deputation appointed to wait upon the Chief Postmaster re the Pigeon Bay mail service|held a preliminary meeting at the City Hotel to-day. Present:—Messrs Penlington,Mayor of Akaroa ; MrThacker, Okain's Bny; Mr Barker, Little Akaloa ; Mr Dalglish, Le Bon's Bay; MrMenzies, Mcintosh's Bay; Mr J; Hay, Pigeon Bay; Mr J. Budua, Pigeon Bay; and Mr J. Smith, Le Bon's Bay. Mr Thacker wasvoted to the chair. The meeting was held in order to be unanimous in their request. After nearly three hours' discussion, the following resolution was agreed to, on the proposition of Mr Hay, seconded by Mr Menzies—" That we advocate for a daily service to Pigeon Bay, and that the steamers make one trip to Okain's per week, and to leave Pigeon Bay at 11 a.m.

The deputation waited on the Chief Postmaster at 10 o'clock. MrThacker formally introduced the members, and acted as spokesman on behalf of the deputation and afterwards'lntroduced the subject as as to the withdrawal of the subsidies.

The Chief Postmaster informed them that he was not aware definitely that the Government intended to do so, but he was very glad to receive the deputation, bo as to be informed of their requirements before calling for tenders. He said it was manifest tho Government intended to use the railway when it was finished to Lake Forsyth as far as possible, in order to do away or reduce the subsidies. At the present time the service to the Bays does not pay.

The representatives from Okain's and Little Akaloa strongly urged for service once a-week. The Chief Postmaster asked in the event of this being recommended, were they in a position to coutribute towards the subsidy. They declined to give any guarantee. Mr Menzies offered to' guarantee LSO ayear if the steamer would call once a week in ? Mr Hay thought that if the Government considered the steamer to Pigeon Bay too expensive, that they would coutribute towards the subsidy. " •; ! Tbe Postmaster thought tbe daily service would cost more than they could entertain, but thought Akaroa would be best served by the railway and Little River ; but on the Mayor explaining tha Akaroa preferred the Pigeon Bay route m the most expeditious, he saw the necessity of this route. For tho information of the deputation he gave the following account lof receipts and expenditure of the Posta* Service :4-Sub«idy to coach, Akaroa'to Christchurch," £300 ; subsidy to coach, Akaroa to Pigeon Bay, £90 ; subsidy to steamer, Lyttelton to Pigeon Bay, £260 Receipts — Akaroa and, adjacent bays, £520; Pigeon Bay, £H. Fraia Duvaucbolle'e Bay to Okain's Bay and Little Akaloa cost £60 -{"receipts, £42. From German Bay to Le Boa's Bay cost £35; receipts, £12. It was decided recommend that the tenders be called for continuing the present service to Pigeon Bay, the steamer to leave; for Lyttelton at 11.30 a.m.; also that tenders be called for a service direct to Akaroa by coach from take Forsyth* on the assumption that the railway will be finished by the end of the year; if not, the presdnt service to be continued.