The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1908. GISBORNE’S PASSENGER SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2175, 27 April 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1908. GISBORNE’S PASSENGER SERVICE.

There was another hitch in connection with our passenger service on Saturday morning when a delay of an hour and a half took place in connection with tho landing of passengers from tho South. In itself tho incident might not bo of great importance, but the fact that, from ono causo and another, it seems a mattor of impossibility for steamers to arrive at and leave this port with anything approaching regularity is our excuse for drawing attention to it. As has been pointed out on former occasions, those constant aunoyances give the town a bad’name and undoubtedly tend to lmmper progress. In tho present' instance it appears that the Tuatea, was ready to leave the wharf at the schedule time, sis o’clock, for thA" purpose of bringing off tho passengers from the South. Tho launch was, however, unable to got away as it was found sho was stuck in the mud. This, of course, looks liko neglect on the part of tho Harbor Board, which has tho duty of keeping the river clear for traffic. At a time when there is a very strong feeling that shipping companies are not giving to Gisborne the attention that its importance deserves, it is distinctly unfortunate that they should be provided with such grievances as the condition of tho berthing areas during the past fow woeks provide. The ißoard meets to-day, when it is hoped somo satisfactory steps will be taken for preventing tho recurrence of such incidents as wo havo alluded to. Somo inembei’s of the Board, wo are awaro, are to filled with enthusiasm over the passing of tho Harbor Bill that they can in imagination see a harbor complete and available for uso, and consequently already advocate a reduction of expenditure on tho river. AVo havo always contended that oven when Gisborno gets an outer harbor tho present river channel will be used more than ever for . sinallor vessels, and that expenditure on its maintenance cannot bo materially lessened. At any rate, it is folly at the present juncture for the Board to adopt a parsimonious policy in connection with tho dredging of tlio channel, which should bo mado as fully available for general traffic as possible.