INITIATION OF THE FERRY SERVICE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3696, 4 December 1912, Page 5

INITIATION OF THE FERRY SERVICE.

ARRIVAL OF THE TAKAPUNA

THIS MORNING

A FULL STEAMER.

CIVIC FUNCTION TO BE HELD AT THE WHARF.

A feeble cheer from four or five people standing about the wharf m the half-dark this morning, a clanging of bells and a few shortorders from the bridge and the first steamer of the ferry service between Gisborne and Napier, the Takapuna, bad lierthed at Gisborne wharf after a quick passage from Napier. 'The Takapuna left Napier at 8.15 last evening, and berthed at Gisborne at 4.35 this morning, accomplishing the journey in 8 hours 20 minutes. The vessel carried the following passengers: Misses R. AlcDavitt, Itiki, and Spooner; Alesdames Gouldsmith, Third, C. Smith, Parsons, Calder, Gunn, and A. Parsons; Alessrs. T. H Evans, Holdsworth, liird, AVilloc-k, E. T. Wrav, Duncan, AlcWhinney, B. Hir’d, Mitchell, D. Wall, Sliarpin, Coates, AicNaugliton, Ormered, Gardiner, Rickard, Daunes, Lang, J. A. Fraser, AY right, Young, Smith, Lewis, Gleeson, Ballin, and Kells; Napier Operatic Society (93), Ser-geant-Ala jor McNair, Sergeant Young and Cadet O’Sullivan.

The vessel, which is commanded by Captain Foster, is 1036 tons gross and 472 net, while her length is 220 ft. and breadth 32.1 ft. She draws under 13ft of water. Tn order to mark the initiation of this service, the Alavor invites the Councillors, the chairman and members of the Chamber of Commerce, the chairman and members of the Harbor Board, and citizens to meet him on the wharf at 11 a.m. to-day, when an official call will be made on the captain of the Takapuna and the local agent. The Mayor, speaking to a “Gisborne Times” representative last- evening, said that he felt they could not let such an important occasion as the inauguration of the ferry service pass without some expression of their appreciation. He hopes that there will be a large attendance.