HARBOUR FERRIES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 6

HARBOUR FERRIES.

TRAVELLERS: AND'. THE-SERVICE-IMPORTANT MOVE. ' POWERS OF THE CITY- COUNCIL. That in view of the grea'Fiucrcaso in. fa.rcs recently, made by-the-Welling--ton Steam Ferry Company, and the unsatisfactory accommodation provid- , ed on the steniners, the Wellington City Council, the Eastbourne liorough Council, ami the ilntt County Council be requested to. make by-laws to provido for tho running of the ferry steamers plying to the eastern shore of the harbour, tho maximum fares to be oliarged, the times of running, and the general regulation of the ferry service. This motion was adopted by tho'Eastern Harbour Association yesterday afternoon, after a brief discussion on the value of tho present ferry service. Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., who presided, said flint'he had had an opportunity of discussing association matters with Mr. "W. J. Organ. The subject first discussed was easily guessed: it was the ferry service. The fares charged by the Wellington Steam Ferry Company were excessive, and undoubtedly had the effect of drawing people with their families from the .Knstorn .shore. It was also quite clear that sufficient attention was not paid to the accommodation, nor to adequate provision on the steamers themselves for the accommodation of travellers, particularly during the winter 'months. It seemed Jittlo .use making representations to the company. 'There- was, however, another way in which pressure could be brought to bear upon the company, and that was through the Municipal Corporations Act. The Wellington City Council, in conjunction with the Eastbourne Borough Council and the Ilutt County Council, had, the Tight 'to make by-laws to provide for the licensing of ferry steamers, the maximum charges, and general regulations of the service. There was no doubt that that power was conferred bv tho Municipal Corporations Act, and if those three local bodies could bo got to move in the matter some fair arrangement might bo arrived at. It was perfectly clear that the members of th«J association did not, and ought not to, expect anything except what was fair in regard to the service. Another matter was' that the City Council had the power, either alone or in conjunction with tho other local bodies, to provido a ferry service. This matter was well worth the City Council's and the ratepayers' attention. There was a largo population on the eastern side of the harbour, and there'was. a large population travelling over there in the summer months. The service would become extremely valuable and very profitable. The City Council were not obliged'to purchase the steamers of the Fern-"Company unless the vessels were suitable. If the council established a service,' the competition would benefit the travellers. Perhaps, if the City Council considered the matter at all, they might, consider the acquisition of the bush laud owned-bv the Ferry Company as well as the question of a service. That was a matter for. future consideration. Neither of these powers of the Citv Coiincil-.were generally known; and it-was flio.business, of the Eastern Harbour Association .to see that the proper'authorities were apprised of the facts. - It was also important that satisfactory reasons" should be placeu be : foro tho authorities' aV.'fo 'W'hy ''one or other of -the" courses.'" open- -should be adopted. '':''". ."•- ,".,,", Mr. 'Ai Blair said.that, in Auckland Rome years' ago a move by dwellers across the harbour had been made, and. immediately, the Ferry Company had put on better boats through fear of what tho municipality might do. It. might be that iu.'AVellington the Ferry Company would see that there was more in the matter than the complaints of the over-water residents and would take steps to make improvements. Mr. W. J. Organ thought that the association might as well refer, the matter to the local bodies without referring it to the Ferry Company. He then moved the proposal stated above. Mr. .T. H. Avery: "I know that the Eastbourne Borough Council is aware of these powers, but is it a fart that the Harbour Board is more in control of the harbour than the City Council is?" Mr."Skerrett: "No. They have no special'powers in this direction under the Harbours Act." ' : .'■ '■ Mr. Avery: "My om'nion is that tho Harbour Board would be more likely to move in this matter than tho City CounMr.- Skerrett: "Mv opinion is that the Harbour Board from its constitution is not open to popular pressure, and that the City' Council from its constitution is.' A member: "Just so." Mr. Skerrett: "This can be done with-' out anv special' Act of Parliament."Mr. Avery "Will it be suggested by the resolution'that these bodies will confer to fLx prices? They cannot do it independently." Mr. Skerrett: "Thev will have to confer." In reply to a question Mr. Skerrett said that the'proposal was'to regulate timetables, fares, and general control. Tho idea was that tho service, being a public service, should be_ subject to regulation by these local bodies. The motion was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Skerrett Messrs. W. J. Organ, J. D. Avery, and H. W. Shortt were elected a sub-conimitteo to get up the facts (running of boats, profits, time-tables etc.), for a deputation to placo before tho City Council.