LYTTELTON NEWS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16153, 6 March 1918, Page 9

LYTTELTON NEWS

DIAMOND HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE. The decision of tho Lytteltou Borough Council to invite tenders for ninning a ferry launch between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour instead of the present municipal service, appears to be a step in tho liy'at direction. When tho settlement was established, th© Council * acccpted the tendor of a privaio launch owner, to run the ecrvice for six months, in ordor to ascertain how tho enterprise would b« (supported before the local body undertook tho purchase of its own launch. Alter Councilors -\l. J. Miller and J. H. Collins, and Jill H. Barnard, the borough engineer had made exhaustive enquiries in Auckland in regard to the cost of purchasing and maintaining a suitable launch, the Council ultimately bought tho oil launch Huuhine, owned by Mr t5. Hemingway, of Akaroa., and this vessel was placed in the ferry 6ervice when the first contract period elapsed. During tho Kuahine's past season the proapecis of making the ysfvico a good paying conccrn' were good, and it was considered that the launch haid been a good investment, bu; owing to tho war, tho atoppago of Sunday trains, and tho fact that the Council did not wish to compete with privato launch owners bv trading or carrying passengers to the other harbour resorts, the takings gradually diminished. Tho Council therefore considered that a substantial saving might be effected by placing the service under the management of a privato owner, who will have permission to utili&o his launch as ho I wishes while not engaged in the ferry service. Last year's estimates show the ferry returns to have been approximately £350. Considering tho increased cost of oil and labour, the Council havo decided to permit a slight a/lvanca in. freight charges and fares. THE PICTURES. "Satan Sanderson" was presented at yestcrdav'a session in the Harbour Light Picture Theatre. The same programme will be repeated this ovening. A paramount ecrvice film entitled "Her Strango Wedding," will be screened at to-morrow's cessions.