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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2140, 16 March 1908, Page 2

GISBORNE’S PASSENGER SERVICE. Yesterday I lie steamer from Auckland was again late., and 'although the delay was nob so serious as was the ease on Wednesday, it was sufficiently marked to form the cause of a great deal of inconvenience to both outward and inward passengers. At 5 o’clock last evening, outward passengers with their friends went to tho wharf and boarded the Tuatea, which was duo to leave at that hour. Instead of getting away promptly they had to stand about on a deck that was greatly overcrowded for upwards of an hour before tho steamer from tho North entorod the bay. Passengers from Auckland, instead of being landed comfortably in daylight, did not reach the wharf until well on to 9 o’clock. The weather is said to have had something to do with tho delay, but the chief cause was the fact that the Monowai waited in Auckland in order .to bring on a cargo of Island fruit. This action is taken so that the perishable cargo shall not liavo to wait for Tuesday’s steamer. In other words, Gisborne residents are put to great inconvenience—and it must be rejnembered that this is a frequent cause of similar delays—in order that Napier, Wellington, -and other ports shall get-

their fruit in good condition. It is the same story throughout tho piece. If a theatrical company wishes to put in an extra night at Napier or Auckland, they can get tho necessary concession, oven though tho irregularity results in very groat inconvenience at tliis port, and almost any cnuso seems to be good enough to warrant a delay in Gisborne’s passenger and mail service. Local residents should certainly agitato on this matter, and see if something cannot bo done to provide a more frequent and a wore regular ,steamer service. A kindred subject is that relating to the use ot tlio telephone. If the continuous telephone service were in operation, the subscribers would be able to make inquiries through the telephone as to any alterations in the advertised time of leaving, and thus save many a useless journey and aggravating wait.