MARLBOROUGH STEAMER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 59, 3 December 1920, Page 7

MARLBOROUGH STEAMER

MORE CARGO SHORTLY. ,

Tho recent correspondence between the Union Company and. Wellington Chamber of Commerce, concerning the unprofitable nature of'the'steamer services between Wellington and Picton nnd Wellington nnd Nelson, was referred to yesterday by Mr. Will Lawson, organiser of the Marlborough Progress Committee. "Tho Marlborough Chamber of Commerce ■ received a copy of the Union Company's letter," said Mr.- Lawson, "and it was considered .it our last meeting. Members were unanimous in thenapproval of the new running, and it was decided to advise the Wellington Chamber and tho Union Company that in n very littlo time the traffic both in cargo and passengers would rapidly increase. For one thing, tho new service was inaugurated at a time of slackness as regards the output of produce. Shearing is in full swing in .Marlborough, but owing to tho slump in wool, in most inetances tho growers are holding back the coarser wools till the price steadies. Chaff will begin to como out of Marlborough soon, and grain later on. In regard to the passenger traffic tho financial situation is no doubt causing a iall-jnt-off, but it must also bo borne in. mind that there is usually ,a lull just before Christmas. My committee is confident that if the service is tried out for three months it will justify its becoming a permanent one. "In regard to tho matter of carrying .travellers' samples nnd other small parcels of cargo between Picton and JNelson, tho inconvenience of tho new running in this particular is recognised. But the Union Company has agreed to carry travellers' samples via Wellington at the rato'charged between Picton and Nelson. In • addition, there is a weekly motor lorry service between Blenheim and Nelson. The amount of both passengers and cargo carried between these p o rts has always been very small-no-thing to justify a steamer's running for 1"I may' add that the business men of Blenheim, who comprise tho greater part of the Marlborough travelling public, regard the new service as a great timesaver, necessitating an absence of. only 36 hours from Marlborough to encure a complete day nnd ovening in Wellington. From the Wellington aspect it is equally convenient, as travellers may leave hero At 11 o'clock to-night, and have a <Uj in Marlborough and bo home by bedtime' to-morrpw night."