MAKING FIGURES TALK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 821, 15 November 1929, Page 1

MAKING FIGURES TALK

Harbour Bridge Commission FERRY COMPANY’S EVIDENCE Comparison of Fares Offered IMPOK PAN 1 statistics relating to the transport of passengers and vehicles to a ~i from the North Shore were presented this morning by the Devonport Steam Kerry Companv at a sitting of the Harbour Bridge Commission. On behalf of the company it was claimed that the figures showed at. all times a generous margin between the traffic carried and the capacity of the fleet; also that the population of the North iStiore had increased during the past IS years at a greater proportionate rate than that of the City areas.

Mr. J. Marehbanks Lhairman), Mr. F W. Furkert. and Captain C. McDonald comprised the commission, and the ferry company was represented by Mr. E. H. N'orthcrot't aud Mr. F. Mortimer (secretary). Mr. ft. H. Greville watched the interests of tls# Harbour Bridge Association. After referring to time-tables, rates of fares, and the carrying capacity of the company’s fleet, Mr. Northcroft drew attention to the schedule showing the number of passengers carried for the period 1920-29. The number for 1920 averaged 13,438 a day, afterwards showing a steady annual increase up to an average of 19,852 a day for 1929. The vehicular ferry figures for the same inclusive period increased from 292 vehicles a day in 1920 to 780 a day in 1929. PEAK LOADING A subsidiary schedule indicated the number of passengers carried on peakload trips as follows: Devonport (six trips between 7.20 a.m. and 9 a.m.). —Average each day, I, capacities of the two steamers on the run. 7,233. Stanley Bay (four trips at peak loading).—Average each day, 369, capacity of steamer, 2.996. Bayswater (four trips at peak loading).—Average each day. 86S; steamer capacity, 5,060. Birkenhead and Northcote (four trip* at peak loading).—Average each day, 1,035 persons; capacity of two steamers on run, 4,514. In addition, the schedule referred to three stand-by steamers with a total extra capacity of 3,101 passengers. A summary of the Devonport anti Birkenhead vehicular traffic showed that a total of 234,690 vehicles were tarried during the 12 months ending October, 1929. this averaging 780 vehicles a day for 90 trips each day. The average number of vehicles on each trip was set down at eight and two-thirds, while the average carrying capacity of each steamer was 30 vehicles. During a record rush period, 180 vehicles hsd been shifted one way in an hour. COMPARISON OF FARES Another schedule, the figures in which were stressed by Mr. Northcroft, compared the present ferry 'barges with the bus fares to and from the Auckland Chief Post Office, via the Harbour Bridge Association's proposed bridge from Shoal Bay, and based on concession tickets of Id a mile and the tolls as levied at Vancouver. For a family of seven ) five children), using annual ferry tickets, the cost of a return trip for each person, six days a week, was Id. The cost "C a return bus trip, taken on the basis of the starting point being the corner of Calliope and Victoria Roads, w as fivepence and 13-16ths, not including toll, and eightpence and 3-lSths, including toll. From Stanley Ray. fourpence and 13-16ths, not including toll, and sevenpence and 5-16ths, inclusive of toll. The schedule gave similar comparative figures down to a family of three, showing a penny and

15-16ths for the ferry as against 10d for the bus fare from Devonport and Bjd from Stanley Bay. Weekly tickets were similarly com- | pared in the proportion of 5d and 6d for the ferries and Hid and lOd j for the buses, while daily tickets were shown as 9d for ferries as j , against Is 2d and Is Old for the buses. POPULATION INCREASE Mr. Northcroft said he wished to j make it clear that the bus fares were calculated on the basis of Id a mile, the unit figure adopted by the Auckland Transport Board. The starting j point was fixed for buses at the corner ;of Calliope and Victoria Roads, this I being a logical locality for the bus j terminus. | The final schedule offered by the Ferry Company’s representatives indicated the growth of population on : the North Shore as compared with j the City, as follows: NORTH SIDE OF HARBOUR 1911 11,356 i 1929 22,755 j | SOUTH SIDE OF HARBOUR | 1911 101.65 S 1929 177,110 j "Thus it will be seen.” said Mr. i ; Northcroft, "that the rate of population increase on the City side is not I quite as great as on the North Shore, j catered for exclusively by tho Ferry j Company. Furthermore, the North i Shore statistics are strictly conservative, as one or two outlying districts | have not been included." RIGHT TO CROSS-EXAMINE < Mr. Furkert asked it the comparai live number of motor-cars owned on i the North Shore over a number of years could be shown, i Mr. Northcroft replied that the I company had made efforts to obtain j these figures, but found that they j were not available. Mr. Greville asked if the Harbour Bridge Association representatives could cross-examine Mr. Mortimer on the figures he had supplied. The chairman said he would adjourn the sitting at present. The right to cross-examine would be given at a later date. The commission adjourned, the tentative date for the next sitting being 1 announced as Monday, December 2. j ! Members then left to inspect the north side of the harbour, particularly Devonport. Birkenhead and • ; Northcote. The party was accompanied on the visit to North Shore by Mr. R. H. i Greville, chairman of the Harbour Bridge Association, Mr. A. Harris, M.P. ; for Waitemata. and Mr. A. E. Green j slade. Mayor of Northcote. The visi- ; tors were met at Devonport by Mr. 1 E. Aldridge, the Mayor, borough coun- . cillors and Mr. T. Walsh, chairman of , ! the Waitemata Chamber ot Com- j l merce. The passenger and the vehicu- i lar facilities at the Devonport ferry i ; terminal were inspected. Residential areas aud suggested j bridge heads were visited. The part: t : went to Stanley Point, and an in- j spectiou of Shoal Bay areas was j made. Narrow Neck. Duder’s Point Takapuna. Northcote and Birkenhead j I were visited.