CLOSING DOWN

NZ Truth, Issue 1181, 19 July 1928, Page 6

CLOSING DOWN

Shall They Gather /at I hp Kviv^i"

Since the colonization of the land along the upper reaches ( of the V/anganui first took., place, the river has been the main arterial "roadway" used by settlers to gain access to: their property. ° y AND the Wanganui river trip, even from a scenic point of view, has become as well-known 'as New Zealand itself, and every year thousands of tourists enjoy the wonders of a trip up-stream. And now comes the announcement that Messrs. A. Hatrick and Co., who, since 1880 have maintained a regular river service, are closing down. Unless their river, steamer business is taken over as a whole by. some private concern, a complete ' cessation of the river service will result and, over 150 settlers and their families will be stranded. . In the case of the river farmers, many of whom labor under conditions akin to those of the early pioneers, it should not be left to them alone to battle out the serious problem that confronts them. Wanganui as a port would lose a considerable' yearly revenue' through the inability of these farmers to export, their produce down the river, so they at least have the whole-hearted cooperation and support of this city m their agitation that the service be maintained. ' The Wanganui River Trust is prepared to take over the service provided it ! is subsidized by the Government, and if the Government cannot see its' way clear to make the service a national one, it should, m the interests of the country and the settlers adopt this latter course.