THE SOUNDS EXCURSION

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1925, Page 4

THE SOUNDS EXCURSION

STITITCVC I)IFFirri.TY. The Secretary id' the I‘rogres- Dengue lias recoil oil the following reply from the t'nion Steam Coy. regarding the proposed excursion to the West Coast Sounds: - Dear Sir.—Wo have to acknowledge receipt of your favour of tile 21th. ii.st. with regard to the despatch of a >pe ial steamer to the West Coast SoumN. ami note your remarks. We regret to advise, however, that we have no steamer at ['.resent available lor an excursion -licit as you outline, nor would it he practicable in any case to lix a -ailing from Oreymoiith. in view ot the risk of the bar delays witieh are experienced there. While a trip of this description would no doubt appeal to a (ertain number m passengers, tie would remark that the numbers offering on our annual excursions in pro war days were inconsiderable, ami it was finally impossible to obtain tt full complement of passengers, even at the very low fares then prevailing. The ce.st of operating tonnage, and particularly of the passenger type, has since greatly in reused, and to despatch a steamer, even if available, under present conditions, and relying entirely on passage money for earnings, would necessitate a much higher fare than would he likely to appeal to the number which would lie required to fill her. We regret we cannot reply more favourably, but would point out that we are arranging for three visits each way to Milford Sound during the forthcoming season by our Melbourne steamers from and to Bluff to enable passengers to enjoy fin's scenery, and without extra charge.