A FLOATING DOCK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 25 June 1915, Page 2

A FLOATING DOCK

INQUIRIES TO BE MADE. The construction of adequate docking accommodation for Wellington was one of the planks oil which Mr. W. C'abio tvas elected to tho Wellington Harbour Board, and in pursuance of his policy ho moved at the meeting of the board last night: "That, in view of tho prospective developments of this port in tho uear future, the board now resolve that immediate steps bo taken to consider the question of providing the port with uo up-to-date dock. That inquiries be made as to the cost of a floating dock to oporate on vessels up to 1000 toils dead weight, the dock to be placved in Lambtoil Harbour; and that inquiries should be made from the builders of tho dredge Whakariri as to the capacity of the dock required to float the dredge, and that the board's agents should be instructed to get- quotations for the purpose." In speaking to the motion, Mr. Cable said that he was fully impressed with the importance of having the port brought up to the status of a first-class |K>rt, especially since the Panama Canal had been opened. The position to-day ivas that the Patent Slip Company was not able to meet the requirements of the port. Tho only way to meet the difficulty was to make provision for a floating dock. The present slip being in tho hands of a powerful company ivas a drawback. A small electricallyoperated dock in the harbour, in tho hands of the board, he said, would bo ft boon to all small shipowners. Mr. Cablo quoted figures for slip charges in Wellington and Lyttelton. Slip charges on the s.s. Kapiti for fifteen days in Wellington came to £117 10s., and for the same time in Lyttelton £18. For 300-ton vessels, eighteen days in Wellington came to £1412 10s., and for the same time in Lyttelton £23. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh seconded the motion. He thought thoy should encourage local foundries, and to a large extent they depended on this »ort of ivork. It was the duty of tho board to consider the question, and that was ull the motion asked. Mr. 11. Fletcher said he was prepared to support anything to prevent the monopoly being in the hands of the I'atent Slip Company. Finally, the motion was amended, cutting out the words "the board now resolve that immediate steps be taken to consider the question of providing the port with an up-to-date dock. That," and was hen carried.