The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 7 (December 1, 1930)
Freight Charges
Freight Charges.
Outward freights to Lyttelton were:— Wool, 5/- per bale; wheat, 3/- per bushel; potatoes, 8/- per ton, or 10/- per ton weight from farmer's cart to ship's side. The principal shipments of produce were to Wellington and Auckland. They went direct from the river. Of 11,000 bushels already shipped, only 700 or 800 bushels went to Lyttelton. The greater number of purchasers, or their agents, were owners of vessels. The “Mullough” cost the present owners £1,600. Mr. Aikman was questioned by the Provincial Secretary (Mr. John Ollivier) as to the suggested charge of 16/- a ton from Lyttelton to Christchurch, and stated that he could carry at that rate only if he had a monopoly. He admitted that he did not think the wharfage and cartage rates could be materially reduced. Allowing £10 for insurance, and £10 for profit, the expenses of the steamer would be £120 a month. He could not say that she would earn that, making two trips a week at a 10/- freight rate.
He did not consider deep-water wharves could be worked at Lyttelton, even if a solid pier were run out from Officers’ Point. If a bonded warehouse were established on the Christchurch side the only cargo which would then be landed at Lyttelton would be for Lyttelton town and the small ports south thereof.
He was at one time proprietor of the ferry over the Heathcote River. In 1858 the passenger traffic was about 9,000 a year, and the charge was 3d. a passenger. It has fallen somewhat since then owing to the banks and some of the merchants removing their headquarters from Lyttelton to Christchurch. The reduction began even before the road under the hills was made.