DIRECT STEAMER SERVICE.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 56, 25 February 1902, Page 4

DIRECT STEAMER SERVICE.

A public meeting, convened by Messrs Banfield and T. Pattie-, was held in* the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, Mr Thos. Pattie, chairman of the loea 1 branch of the Fruit Grower’s Union m the chair.

The Chairman, in his opening re-mai-ks, referred to the importance of the question of direct steam seivice with Wellington. The scheme was first mooted at a meeting of the Fruit Grower’s Association by Mr W. J. Moffatt, who pointed out the advantages to be derived therefrom. The resolution, seconded by Mr G. James, of Brooklyn, and carried unanimously, was to the effect that the Governmont be approached, asking them to establish a subsidised service The meeting subsequently decided to ask the Borough Council and the Riwaka Road Board to make the application to the member for the district, which, he understood,

had been done, and at Mr McKenzie’s suggestion a deputation, consisting of Messrs Hursthouse, R. Pattie, and himself had waited upon Sir J. G. Ward the Postmaster General, during the Jubilee celebrations at Nelson. Sir Joseph gave them a ready hearing and promised to call for tenders for such a service, at the same time pointing out the necessity for the local people interested to advance the cause in every possible way, by inducing owners of steamers to tender. He did not know if anything had been done since the interview, and as the question was a most important one, he, together with Mr Banfield, had convened the present meeting. He concluded by inviting discussion.

Mr Trewavas presumed the money to be allocated by the Government* would be for a mail service:

Mr Everett said a telegram had been* received by Mr Hursthouse since the interview, from Mr Gray, Secretary of the Postal Department* asking for information re tonnage, draft and speed, und suggesting that the seivice be a fortnightly one for a portion of the year. The telegram was read and discussed at the last meeting of the Borough Council. As the telegram was not considered one sent to Mr Hursthouse in his official capacity as Mayor, the reply thereto was left in Mr flursthouse’s hands, the majority of the Councillors, however, being of opinion that a fortnightly service during the winter months .would be sufficient, and that the tonnage of the vessel required for the service should not be less than 75 tons, the draft 7ft, and the speed 9 knots. Several of those present, including the chairman, expressed surprise that such an important matter had not been made public.

Mr W. J. Moffatt said that when when the matter was first brought bef >re the Council the majority of the members appeared to be indifferent and it was only when the member for the district, Mr R. McKenzie, wrote heartily endorsing the proposal that the Council woke up to the importance of it to the district. It was then decided to hand the letter over to the local branch of the Farmers’ Union, as it was calculated that as that body was representative of the whole district, the question would be more effectively handled by them than by the Council. It appeared to hint, however,, that the Union had been too busy worrying the blacksmiths to bother themselves much about the matter* He - referred to thetelegram addressed to Mr Hursthouse,. a nd discussed at .the last meeting of the Council, contending that the contents of the telegram should have been made public and suggesting an application being made for a bi-weekly service during; the- summer months, especially as the proposal to .reduce Theservice.to

a fortnightly one emanated from Mi Gray who sent the message. In reply to Mr Dudgeon, the speaker said lie first mooted the question for the benefit of the district.

Mi- Everett said the question of establishing such a service had been mentioned to him by Mr Manoy, but he believed Mr Moffatt was the first person to bring it under public notice at a meeting of the Fruitgrowers Unioni A general discussion ensued, several speakers emphasising the necessity for making application for a direct biweekly service from the middle of December to the middle of March,' on account of the perishable nature of the goods shipped during that period. Mr Everett, however, contended that by asking for too much, they stood a chance of losing all, as the amount of subsidy required by steamboat owners would be too high. Mr Manoy, who took part in the discussion, emphasised the necessity for establishing at least a weekly service. The chairman, Messrs Banfield, Holyoake, R. Pattie, Trewavas aiid Dudgeon held that the products shipped during the period mentioned were of such a perishable nature that the application for a bi weekly service was justified. The chairman, in reply to Mr Everett, stated that, as one of the deputation to Sir J. G. Ward he had no recollection of any particular period being specified as to how the boat should run.

Mr Banfield thought the question under discussion should be lelegated to the Fruit Grower’s Union to deal with as that body was more interested in perishable exports than the Farmer’s Union. The tonnage to and from Motueka during the last month (January) was 301 tons. With the exception of a few bales of wool, all the other outward cargo was perishable. On the motion of Mr R. Pattie, seconded by Mr T. Holyoake, the following were appointed a deputation to interview the Farmer’s T T nion (the Borough Council to be invited to join them) at its next meeting, Messrs Dudgeon, Banfield, T. Pattie and Trewa vas

The following resolutions were carried as a guide for the deputation appointed :—Proposed by Mr Banfield, seconded by Mr Moffatt, That the subsidised steamer be not less than 55 tons, draft seven feet, with a speed of 8 knots. Mr Banfield stated, in moving this resolution, that by redueing.the tonnage and speed a greater number of steamship owners would be more likely to tender.

An amendment proposed by Mr Everett, seconded by Mr E. James, that the vessel be 75 tons, draft 7ft, and 9 knots speed, for a weekly service, was defeated.

Mr Moffatt, proposed, and Mr Holyoiike seconded That the Government be asked to invjte tenders for a direct steamship service to Wellington, to be run bi-weekly for 3 months, weekly for four months, and fortnightly during the five winter months.

• Carried unanimously. It was also agreed that all information necessary should be furnished to steamship owners to induce them to tender. O a the motion of Mr H. Rumbold it was agreed that information be obtained as to the quality of cargo shipped via Nelson. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and Mr Banfield concluded a very lively meeting! which lasted considerab y over two hours. .