EASTBOURNE & FERRY BOATS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 26 July 1913, Page 2

EASTBOURNE & FERRY BOATS.

BY DUCHESS & COBAR ? MEETING ENDORSES PROPOSAL. Last evening tho Wellington portion of the Eastbourne ratepayers had an opportunity of discussing the proposal of tho Easbourno Council to purchase two of the Wellington Harbour Perries Company's steamers. The Mayor (Mr. W. Organ) stated that the council had decided to ask the ratepayers for authority to purchase the steamers Duchess and Cobar, and thus monopolise the ferry service, at a cost of ,£15,000. It was provided in the agreement that, in the event of purchase, tho Ferry Company should withdraw from the traffic. Provision was mado in tho agreement for tho maintenance of tho service to Day's Bay, for the overhauling of tho steamers before September 1, and for delivery of the vessels in good order with certificates issued by tho Marino Department. Both steamers had bren surveyed by Lloyd's surveyor in Wellington (Mr. Walker) who stated as follows: "Duchess: Hull—Good for another 20 ' years. Machinery—Everything in good ■ condition. Boiler—Pair condition; patch required on boiler shell and a now boiler within five or six years. "Cobar: Hull in good condition; machinery in good order; boiler in good order. This vessel should run with very little expense in ordinary upkeep for many years to come." ' The speaker then referred to probable revenue from tho undertaking. The revenue derived by the company during tho past year was .£9351. Tho council estimated the running cost at JE3S3G, and tho cost of a relief crew £9iO. It was expected' by the council that a relief crew would not bo wanted during tho winter months. After all the expenses had been accounted for, an amount of ,£ISG3 would be left over as profit, and out. of that it would bo possible to establish a sinking fund. If tho council acquire the service it was proposed that it should ba controlled by a Terry Board comprising three or four members. It was desirable also that a manager should be appointed to run the steamers, and the council intended to get the best man possible. Jh\ T. 11. Wilford expressed himself as being entirely in accord with tho proposal. Ho suggested that tho .council might sell debentures eo as to pay for tho boats in cash. Then they should ©3tablish a sinking fund to buy back their own debentures. Mr. D. M. Findlay and Mr. W. Hobbs also favoured the proposal. Mr. David Robertson thought that it was too early to consider tho matter. It was too risky for such a little borough. Why not get tho Day's Bay and York Bay people to come in with, tho schame, and then buy tho boats? Old boats, too, were risky. Mr. F. J. Kelly pointed out that they had an export report regarding the state of tho boats. Small as it was, the borough was quite justified in taking up tho scheme. "Just because we have something 'good,' we are not going to ask Day s Bay to como in and partake of the pleasure." A voice: "Day's Bay peoplo will hayo to pay something before they come in with us." (Hear, hear.) Mr. Wm. Cable expressed the opinion that the scheme was premature. Mr. Harcourt (Eastbourne) was also opposed to it. He' considered that Pay's Bay should be brought into it. ■•'.'• Mr. Zohral) stated that ho was not present in his official position as manager of tho Perry Company, but as a ratepayer and resident of tho bay. If the poll was carried and tho boats purchased, it was absolutely essential that the management ihonld be in capable hands; Mr. T. W. Ballinger moved: "That tho meeting endorse tho proposals for the purchase of the boats, <•■'■' An amendment was moved by Mr. D. Robertson: "That tho.whole of.#«. scheme bo postponed until Day's Bay was inoluded in it." This was lost on the voioes, and the motion was carried.