Three Weeks Delay On Wanganella Bookings

Press, Volume C, Issue 29514, 16 May 1961, Page 16

Three Weeks Delay On Wanganella Bookings

(N Z Press Association—Copuripht)

SYDNEY. May 15 Passengers wanting to travel on the Wanganella from NewZealand to Australia have had to wait up to three weeks for a berth, according to the Sydney “Sun.” “At present it is very difficult to get from New Zealand to Australia by ship,” said Mr R. Hallam, manager for Huddart Parker, the ship's agents in Australia, according to the ‘Sun ” “For the next few weeks, passenger traffic will be veryheavy across the Tasman “At this time of the year many New Zealanders go to New South Wales and Queensland for the winter, “Also, Australian tourists are returning to Sydney and many New Zealanders are travelling to Sydney to connect with ships going overseas.” he said. “At present there seems no likelihood of any new ships being commissioned for this run," Mr Hallam said “As soon as the cold weather starts in New Zealand. the passenger traffic always becomes heavy,” he said.

Until last year passengers were taken across the Tasman by the Monowai as well as the Wanganella. but the Monowai was scrapped last May. Mr S A. Marris. manager for the New Zealand branch of Huddart Parker, said that he thought there were as many berths available now as when the Monowai was on the run The additional accommodation was available on ships of overseas lines. However, these ships did not run to as tight a schedule as the Wanganella Moreover, accommodation on them was available to passengers from New Zealand only to the extent of the number of unoccupied berths, said Mr Marris.