GISBORNE PASSENGER SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3264, 8 July 1911, Page 11

GISBORNE PASSENGER SERVICE.

TENDERING THE STEAMERS.

SHIPPING COAIPANTES ADHERE TO PRESENT TIAIE-TABLE.

At a recent meeting, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce decided to approach the Union Steamship Company and the Hud dart, Parker and Co. Proprietary, Limited, with the object of having the departure of the Tiiatca delayed from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings to enable passengers by tlie evening train to catch the southern steamers.

Replies have been received by Mr. W. Hamilton Irvine, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, from both shipping companies, and are to the effect that the change suggested would not be in the interests of inward passengers. Mr. J. W. J. Preston, manager of the local branch of the Union Steam Ship Company, in his reply, states that as the 7 p.m. launch only leaves on Wednesdays, the ratio of country people to. benefit by the alteration would be very small by comparison with those otherwise affected. An 8 p.m. sailing would he a benefit to. his company, whilst the convenience to the ships would also be very considerable, as dinner has to be served! earlier on board in order to cope with the launch coming alongside shortly after 7 p.m. When tlie vessels were late arriving, say about 6 p.m. (dinner hour), it was impossible to tender inAvard passengers then consequently only one launch could be arranged. To make this 8 p.m. instead of tho present hour would mean extra- delay to the imvard passengers, Avliilst the bulk of those outAvards would not gain any corresponding benefit. It Avas also important, with the conditions obtaining at the river entrance, that the outAvard departure of the launch shall not be later than absolutely necessary. The train time-table might* also be' amended 'Avhen tlie extended country running came into force, AA'liich might mean a further request for readjustment of the launch sailing hour. The company proposed, Avhen’the water in the river had been increased, to experiment later on Avitli a tri-weekly ferry service to and from Napier. In" the event of this maturing the hour of departure from the wharf would possibly he 8 p.m., as all embarkation work would be completed there. Tlie interests of the imvard and outward passengers are diametrically opposed to each other, consequently the difficulties of this port are by no means inconsiderable or easy to overcome.

Air A. M. Puflett, oil behalf of Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., local agents for the Huddart, Parker and Co. Proprietary, Limited,, stated that bis company considered that to alter the departure of the Tuatea. from* 7 to 8 p.m. would not be in* the interests of the . greater number of passengers. Leaving the wharf as at present*, even under favorable conditions, bv the time passengers collect their luggage and are berthed, it is 9 o’clock, and that hour was late enough for those who AA'ere bad sailors. The company was anxious to guard against landing passengers late at night in the ease of tendering inward and outAvard passengers Avith one launch. If _a steamer arrived here between* 6 and 7, it would be tendered by one launch under the present arrangements, tlierebv giving inward passengers ample* time to have their dinner comfortably on board, and at tlie same time landing them at a reasonable hour. If the launch’s departure was altered to 8 p.m. it would mean landing the imr-ard passengers first, and of necessity it Avoukl then be 9 o’clock before the outwardbound passengers could leave the Avliarf. That hour would be considered too late. Considering the disabilities of working a roadstead port, the company considered the present hour of departure the most suitable.