THE UNION COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 141, 23 September 1910, Page 5

THE UNION COMPANY.

STATEMENT BY SIR J. MILLS, By Telegraph.-Presa Association. n,. Dunedin, Thursday. The general manager of the Union Company, repaying to the\ strictures of the president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on the vessels makiae the Fiji connection in the Vancouver service, instances the damage to banana plantations last March, which caused the shipments to Auckland to fall to a negligible quantity. The company sustained heavy monetary loss, notwith. standing which the Navua continued in the trade for three months until the bulk of the passenger traffic for the Beason was overtaken. During that period the steamer was run at a loss of £3OOO. Though the Moura's expenses were much lighter, an additional loss of £ISOO was incurred. The latter is fully up to the requirements o* the tirade.

The east and west coast trade was affected greatly by the Main Trunk lme. The falling-off of passengers ia 1909 was 37,500, compared with the previous year. In view of the fallingoff of revenue, it was found necessary to employ smaller boats. During the past six months the accommodation provided by the Hauroto and Tarawera exceeded requirements by 30 per cent. The only exception on the route from Auckland to Dunedin is the Gisborne-Napier section. When the Gisborne Harbour improves a local ferry service will be instituted.