SHIPPING FACILITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1919, Page 6

SHIPPING FACILITIES.

NEW PLYMOUTH-ONEHUNGA SERVICE. At yesterday's meeting of the New Plymouth Harbor Board the chairman expressed satisfaction that the passenger traflic over the wharf at the Harbor had kept up well ever since the reinstatement of the railway services! Tlfls brought Mr. C. A. Wilkinson to ' his feet with a warm protest against the action of the Northern Steamship Company in not running the Rarawa to New Plymouth three nays every week instead of two, especially as on every trip from the north cargo for this district was shut out, and business people greatly inconvenienced thereby. Mr. Wilkinson said he could not understand the people of New Plymouth being so much asleep in such a matter. It would be a different thing if there was not a boat available. He also pointed out that the matter of shipping services had been discussed in Parliament, where opinions had been expressed that it should not rest entirely with the shipping companies, who were concerned in the matter of a few shillings profit or loss, as to what services should be run. They were under some obligation to the people in whose interests the services should bo run, and if the company's would not do it then the Government should step in and do something. Personally he needed 250 tons of freigiit space from Onehunga to New Plymouth and he supposed he would get it in small instalments. Recently another steamer had been put on and had brought 60 tons of cargo. The chairman said he had made representation to the Company when in Auckland, but had been told it did.not pay to run the Rarawa on three days. Several other members of the Board spoke of the delay in getting cargoes from Onehunga, and Mr. D. J. Hughes said he had seen truekloads of goods on the Onehunga wharf shut out from tho Rarawa. Mr. Wilkinson pressed the matter and said the Board should take the lead in trying to get an improved service. He then moved the following resolution, which was carried unanimously:— That this Board writes to the Nor thorn Steamship Gompany requesting that the Rarawa be run three trips per week from Onehunga to New Plymouth, in place of two trips per week 'as at present; also pointing out that cargo is being shut out. on every trip, which causes considerable inconvenience and loss to the district, especially inconveniencing the building and other trades. It was also decided to send a copy of the resolution to the Prime Minister.