Mr Semple to Investigate Steamer Fares

Lake County Mail, Issue 46, 21 April 1948, Page 2

Mr Semple to Investigate Steamer Fares

The Lake County Council, represented by deputy chairman W. A. McLean (in the absence of the chairman, Mr D. H. Cockburn), and the county engineer, Mr ■H. A. Vezey, waited upon the Hon. -R. Semple last Friday and requested that lie again review the matter of Lake steamer fares in so much as they affect the Head of the Lake and Lakeside Station residents. They pointed out that a special officer, Mr J. S. Orr, Invercargill, recently conferred with the council in the course of his investigations into this matter and all the facts were made known to him. They said that they realised that the matter Avould soon reach, him in a departmental report, but they felt that the opportunity could not be overlooked to make personal representations and they hoped that he would give the matter favourable consideration. The full facts of the case were presented in detail. On receipt of the department report, Mr Semple said that he would give earnest consideration to the matter. He said that he fully appreciated the • situation and promised to investigate the matter and reply at an early date. In respect to transport of plant on the lake, the deputation slated that heavy maintenance grading and urgent dozer works, including the Rees bridge and Buckleburn erosion jobs were

held up as a result of the department’s refusal to accept the machines as freight on the lake steamer. The ratepayers situated on the lakeside and at the Head of considered that the services available to them were restricted enough as a result of their isolation, and the position was accentuated by the present state of affairs. Mr Semple replied -that the back country settler must be encouraged, and therefore he would take immediate steps to bring about a better state of affairs.