Waikato Steamer Service.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 21 May 1915, Page 3

Waikato Steamer Service.

For some time now, a movement has been on foot to improve the steamer service on the Waikato River. Old residents of the Waikato can remember the time when a fleet of quite large steamers plied regularly up and down the river and their bones can still be seen on the banks at Ngaiuawahia and Mercer. The coming of the iron horse and the times of depression caused the steamer service to become unpayable and the steamers went gradually out of use, till now there is only one large steamand a few launches for hire. For some time the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with certain business men from Mercer have been working energetically with the object of re-estal lishing the river work, and it looks as though success Would crown their efforts for arrangements have been made to run a steamer or steamers from Mercer to Cambridge, calling at Huntly, Taupiri and Ngaruawahia. It may not be generally known that certain classes of goods are charged very high rates on the Railways, and that for years it has been the practice of Huntly storekeepers to have these goods transhipped at Mercer and brought the rest ot the way by boat. With a better timed service steamer owners will be able to carry goods at reduced rates, arid the general public will receive the benefit.

If the is a success it is intended tp put on steamers with accomodation for passengers, and it is confidently expecte.l that when once the beauties of the River have been advertised, numbers of tourists travelling to Rotorua, will leave the train at Mercer an’d travel by boat to Hamiljon. It is stated by people who claim to know, that the Waikato River far surpasses the Wanganui so far as beauty is concerned, and is far better situated with regard to shore accomodation.

No doubt, at first the shallows in the River will make navigation difficult, but it is confidently expected that the continual passing up and down of the steamers will keep the sand in a state of agitation and gradually a channel will form.

'Agents have been appointed in several Waikato towns and it is sincerely to he hoped that the public will give to the project tho encouragement it deserves.