SHIPPING SERVICES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2166, 15 April 1908, Page 1

SHIPPING SERVICES.

EAST COAST STEADIER RUN

STRONG NORTHERN COMMENTS

(Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 14. The message from Dunedin regarding the inadequate steamer service between the South ami the North w,as keenly discussed in local shipping circles to-day, the general opinion being that both the travelling public and tile merchants had a very just excuse for complaint. 11l conversation with a. Herald representative, a wellknown Auckland! merchant expressed the opinion that the present service with two boats a week between Auckland’ and iDunedin, via the East Coast, was very much behind the times. During the past few months, and more, especially during the holiday season, ho said, passengers, had to he content to take whatever accommodation was offered, the .steamers being at times so overcrowded that travellers had to sleep on the floors in the saloon, smoking room, and steerage, and at times even the tables had to he brought into requisition. Tho steamers of hotli companies running in tho service were in tho same position for want of accommodation. “This certainly should not ho permitted,” said the merchant, “and it is to be hoped that before long the companies will como to a sense of their responsibilities to the travelling public. The mlatter can easily he got over by placing another steamer in tho service, giving us three boats a week instead of two as at present. I think tliat very strong representations’ should be made to the Cliambors of Commerce, as representing the interests of hotli tho Union Steam Ship Company and the Huddart, Parker Company, on the matter, so that next season, travellers will not have to put un with the same inconveniences. The trade of Auckland is such now as to demand! the services'of' n third, steamer weekly from ' Auckland to Dunedin, 'via. way ports, aiid I trust that the matter will be strongly taken un, and the companies urged that it is to their best interests to extend the service.”