PICTON-WEUINGTON SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1133, 22 May 1911, Page 6

PICTON-WEUINGTON SERVICE.

Sir,—Now that tho shortcomings of tho Picton-Wollington passenger service are being ventilated, I venture to direct attention to tho anomaly existing in tho matter of fares charged. Picton is 53 miles distant from Wellington, the singlo saloon faro is 15s. For that sum one may travel first.class by rail from Wclliugton to Marton, a distance of US miles. It is recognised by British authorities that sea travel, costs one-third of travel by rail, but in so short a run it would not be fair to insist on this rate owing to wharf charges at each end. Ten shillings is, however, tho outside chargo that should bo made. Tho return saloon faro is XI. Taking again the rail as a comparison, one may, by a first-class return fare to Palmorston North, 8-1 miles distant, for 225. To continue tho comparison, tho fare to Lytteltou, 175 miles from' Wellington, is .£1 single and £1 15 S . lc . turn, snloou. That is far moro than throe times the distance, the fares are

less than double those charged on the Picton run. It seems that the Union Company has a very soft thing on as regards the Picton-Wellington trade, and it would bo well advised to caler more to the. comfort and convenience of the public. Marlborough is seethiug with discontent over tho inadequacy of the service, and sooner or later must take action.

Would it not be better for tho Government to drop the idea of buying tlio Maori at a fancy figure and of establishing a Government ferry to Lyttelton, and instead to hurry on the South Island Main Trunk railway. Then, on its completion, establish one fast ferry steamer on the Picton run? There would be no need to buy any of the Union boats. Picton, being a railway port, is eminently adapted 1o the handling of a railway ferry, and the whole enterprise would be a profitable one.—l am, etc., CONDENSER.