UNION CO. & NEW PLYMOUTH

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2136, 30 April 1914, Page 9

UNION CO. & NEW PLYMOUTH

MOKE STEAMERS WANTED. (By Tolesrapli.—Prs3S Association.) Mew Plymouth, April 29. A deputation representing tiie Chamber of Commerce, Tradesmen's Association, Harbour Board. Wailara and Eltham Chambers of Commerce, and the importers and exporters of New Plymouth and district waited on Mr. D. A. Aikon, General Manager of tho Union Steam Ship Company, to voico grioviinces regarding tho inadequacy of tho service to Now Plymouth, especially from tho south. The speakers compared the position to-day with that of six years ago. There were then two weekly steamers between 'Wellington and New Plymouth (ono calling at Nelson), and another boat calling about every ten days. Now tho boats wero calling at irregular intervals with apparently no settled time-table, and averaging about six days between each trip. This was not because the business of tho port had declined, for, notwithstanding tho difficulties which they had to contend with, the trade had increased very considerably. The number of boats entering the port in 1907 was 553. In 1910 it had dropped to 389, ami, in 1903, to 332. It could not be said either that, if the boats wero i'mvor, they were of larger tonnage. The total tonnago of tho boats which had called at tlio port in 1007 was 231,500 tons: in 1913' it was 183.745, and this notwithstanding tho fnet that there had been an increase of SO,OOO tons in the cargoes carried. In 1907 tho total imports and exports amounted to 72.256 tons (imports only 57.246 tons), and tho number of boats handling same was 353. In 1910 limires were S6,"RW and 72,567 tons respectively, and 380 boats. 7n 1.013 the figures were 92,467 and 77,010 tons respectively, and only 332 vessels. Mr. Aikon said that ho would consider all tho points raised, but could not see how tho .service could bo made as cnod as the former one. The trouble dated back to the falling off in the passenger trnfiic with the ononinrr nf *i>n Mnin Trunk line. If cargoes warranted it. boats would be put on. Ho quote] telegrams showing that tho short shipments were not great.