NEW FOXTON STEAMER DIVERTED

Shannon News, 4 November 1924, Page 2

NEW FOXTON STEAMER DIVERTED

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ASKS QUESTIONS. FOXTON, Some months ago it was announced that the Canterbury Shipping Co., had ordered an oil burning steamer for the Foxton trade. A few days ago it was announced that the new boat was nearing New Zealand' shores. Now comes news that it is uot for the Foxton trade at all. At Thursday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce the president (Mr D. Christie) reported haying received a letter from the Canterbury Shipping Company, in which it was stated that the boat now nearing New Zealand was not intended for the Foxton trade. They were however, still on the look-out for a suitable boat, and the idea of trading to Foxton had not been given up.

Some of the members wanted to know whether the Canterbury shipping Company were only bluffing and whether they had had any intention of putting a boat on to this trade.

It was pointed out that other people had been considering getting a boat for the Foxton trade, but had decided not to do so when it was announced that the Canterbury s.a. Company were going to do so. These people wei’e still interested and would no doubt go ahead if the other boat was not forthcoming. Mr Chrystall said that the Harbour Board had decided to erect the new wharves and stores on the promise of the Canterbury s.s. Company putting a boat on the Foxton run.

In order to obtain definite information on the subject, the secretary was instructed to write to the Canterbury s.s. Company asking whether in view of the storage accommodation and wharves being erected by tfie Harbour Board, and the dredging done in the river, do they intend to have a boat for this trade Tor not. If they do, on what date will she arrive in New Zealand.