COASTAL SHIPPING.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1921, Page 5

COASTAL SHIPPING.

WELLINGTON TO NEW PLYMOUTH. BETTER SEA SERVICE WANTED. The chairman (Mr. J. F. Martin) of the Council pf the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, has raised the question of a better sea service between Wellington arrB New Plymouth. Speaking at a meeting of the council on Monday, he stated that the present uncertain and irregular service was not at all satisfactory to Wellington merchants, whose travellers, on securing an order; could not guarantee to deliver by a certain, date, whereaa Auckland merchants were in a much more fortunate position, having a regular and dependable service between Onehunga and New Plymouth. He was wondering whether they could not apply to the Union Company for a better service.

Mr. W. D. Bennett said that the Union Company would say: “If you supply us with the trade we will supply the boats.” Mr. J. F. Mills said that the Union Company dispatched 24 steamers in twelve months from Dunedin, via ports, to New Plymouth. Of those, twelve had called at Wellington, but they never knew when they were coining, and there was no certainty about the service. During the lsst three months three different companies had dispatched boats to New Plymouth, but their value to the merchants was lost, because none of them maintained a regular service. Mr. F. W. Vickerman mentioned that it would be something if the Corinna would call regularly. She came from Dunedin, via Oamaru, Timaru, Lyttelton, and sometimes Wellington or Nelsen, or both. All depended whether there was any room for cargo. She made a round trip every three weeks, but it was never known when -she was coming to Wellington or when she was not. “We’re not kicking at the past,” said Mr. Vickerman, “but we want to get back the trade we have lost.” One suggestion was made that the Union Company be written to. Another member wished to include "and ether companies.” Captain Petersen favored setting up a committee to go into the question thoroughly. . Finally it was left to the president and secretary to make inquiries and report.