Big Amalgamation Scheme

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1922, Page 1

Big Amalgamation Scheme

ASSOCIATION of tourist SERVICES.

SO TH ISLAND ENTERPRISE. CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. The outcome of a conference held in Christchurch last week of representatives of South Island motor touring service companies is likely to have farreaching effect in motor transportation. It is also regarded as probable that tho amalgamation scheme launched at this conference will do much to further popularise the scenic attractions, and tourist routes of this island. The companies embraced under the scheme are as follows (their main routes being given in parenthesis): Afotmt Cook Motor Co., Ltd., (Timarn, Fairlie, Mount Cook, and Queenstown); Kaikoura Motor Co., Ltd. (Christchurch, Kaikoura, Blenheim and AYaiau); Alessrs Newman Bros.,' Ltd.

(Blenheim, Nelson, and Most Coast! j Clement's Motor, Ltd; (Otira, Hokitika an<l Franz Joseph Glacier); Pilkington’s Motors, Ltd (Christchurch and Akaroa) ; Mockett’s Motor Co., j Ltd. (Culvorden and llanmer Springs); , and Kilims Motor Co., Ltd (Nelson and | Takaka). From a public point of view tlio no- ! tivities of tkis new enterprise, wliioli is to be known and registered as the While Star Motor Tourist Transport \ssocintion. should a roil so considerable interest. As a result of the amalgamation it will he possible to maintain regular time-tables thus enabling travel- ! ?ers to make through trips with the different- passenger motor services, the railway links that conic in to the chain between the tourist routes, and- the steamer runnings. A further facility that will doubtless be appreciated by the travelling public, and more particularly tourists will bo that through concession tickets may be taken out to be interchangeable between the companies whose motors run over different sections of the main tourist routes.

It is interesting to know that the aggregate capital of the various companies already embraced in this amalgamation scheme is upwards of £BO,OOO ami tiie aggregate length of roads they cover on their regular trips exceeds 12000 miles. It is expected the scheme will be ready to start active operations with the opening of the next tourist season in September. Every car running under the auspices of the association will bear white stars as distinguishing marks and the roads traversed will be designated the White Star 'Routes. The organisation of this enterprise has been carried out chiefly through the energies of Mr M. B. Macdonald, who will he secretary of the now association. Mr 1L L. Wiglcy, of Timnru, presided over the conference that brought the scheme to fruition, and ho lias been elected its first president. It is probable that at no distant date the association will promote an aerial passenger service across Cook Strait to connect up with the principal North Island motor services.