Passenger Launch Without Certificate

Chronicle (Levin), 13 June 1949, Page 2

Passenger Launch Without Certificate

"We fear his passengers will fall off betweep Kapiti Island and the beach," was the prompt reply of prosecuting counsel to comment by Mr. A. A. Lachlan, B.M., in the Magistrate's . . Cour't, Otaki- ; on Friday. ' The niagistrate was perusi'ng a letter in which a defendant stated that "he was. wai'-tig until the winter when his passengers fell off," before having his boat surveyed for a certificate1 of seaworthiness. The case was one in which the Marine Department charged Mervyn Ward Johnson, of Paraparaumu, with plying a launch for hire without a certificate. Defendant pleaded guilty by letter and stated that he knew he was committing an offence, as he had been "caught last year and later warned by the police," but was waiting for' the winter. For the Marine Department, Mr. Bourke said that Johnson was a fisherman who owned the boat Dana. The Act required that as well as the fishing licence held, a certificate of seaworthiness in regard to the mechanical power, firefighting equipment, life-saving apparatus and the hull of the boat was necessary if it was plied for hire. In 1947 Johnson had been convicted on a similar charge. In January last two officers of the Marine Department and a member of the Police Force saw defendant's boat coming into the shore with a load of 20 passengers, some of whom had been- charged for the trip. An arrangement existed with a local store whereby the launch could be booked for the day. In fact the officers had been informed that the. boat was booked for every weekend to the end of April. A danger to passengers existed if the ship was not properly surveyed, continued Mr. Bourke. The danger would be extreme if an accident hapuened and the boat was reported lost and searcher-s had to go out and look foij it. Counsel contended that defendant was. flouting the law, and was aga'ih" carrying passengers on'the day the summons was served.' Johnson's letter stated further that of ttfb 20 passengers carried, 16 were his friends and were carribd free, only four having paid. The magistrate submitted that the service would doubtless be advantageous 1 if a licensed one, but another licensed operator was subjected to unlawful competition by Johnson's actions. A conviction was entered and a fine of £10 inflicted, costs amounting to £2 10s.