GISBORNE’S PASSENGER SERVICE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2703, 6 January 1910, Page 4

GISBORNE’S PASSENGER SERVICE

The next time the local Chamber of Commerce holds a meeting it might profitably discuss the question of our meal passenger service. Last night the Monowai, with a large passenger list, arrived in the Bay before six o’clock, and passengers naturally hoped to get on shore in daylight. As a matter of fact it was but a few minutes to ten o’clock when they set foot on the wharf, and took a fighting chance of securing their belongings from the scramble which takes place there on the arrival of the Tuatea. All this is unpleasant and irritating to the travelling public and, despite all that may he said to the contrary, it does harm to the place. Some allowance should he made for the fact that it is holiday time, and it may be found that no better arrangements could have been made, hut the matter is certainly well worth an investigation by the business men of the town. They might reasonably approach the local representatives of the shipping companies and see if something cannot be done to lessen the inconvenience to which passengers are occasionally subjected. Of course, we shall never get complete satisfaction in this matter until Gisborne has a proper harbor, and can land passengers direct on the wharf. This business of lightering travellers is crude in the extreme, and its continued existence without protest, year after year, serves to indicate how much an apathetic community will sometimes submit to. Last night the height which the Monowai towered over the Tuatea necessitated the placing of the gangway plank at an angle of over 30 degrees, and it was pitiful to see the anxious time which elderly ladies went through in making their way down the steep incline, albeit the officers gave every possible assistance. Even athletic young men found the rush down the gangway an uncomfortable episode, whilst for the weaker sex it was simply a nerve-racking expcr'ence. However, we should not have to wait for an outer harbor before having some improvement upon existing arrangements. It- seems difficult to believe that a sound reason exists for keeping passengers for four hours in the Bay. and the matter should he investigated by those concerned in the reputation of the town.'