WATERSIDE COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 229, 15 June 1918, Page 8

WATERSIDE COMMISSION

4 TAKING OF EVIDENCE CLOSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, June 14. At the Waterside Commission to-day tho superintendent stevedore for Gill and Company, who had charge of the company's waterside gem , ,.said all tho gear was overhauled utter working almost every steamer. Ho thought the model T iron-fastening exhibited by the commission wins an improvement. Discussing thrw proposed methods of preventing nccidVnfis in removing hatches, ho said he believed the ropu method was tho best. It was probable something could be done to minimise accidents in that direction. Work was not now ns fast as it was, ami had been gradually getting slower for.years. Captain Truern, with eighteen years' coastal experience, said the gear was under observation all the time on the East. Const rim, and derricks were examined during voyages to Sydney. He had not found the inspectors lax but drastic. He was favourably impressed with the present system of inspection. The' inspectors' suggestions were always carried out.

John Jackson, foreman painter of the Union Company, (-aid he .•yipurvised the fumigation of vessels. After heaving this witness the chairmau said it would be advisable for the 1 Commission to refer this aspect of the matter io Dr. Maclaurin, Wellington, for advice.

■ Thomas Cordac, manager of the Union Company's repair works, said lie never had an accident reported to liim (hie to defective gear. I'hc inspection oi" gear in ships iu New Zealand were as exacting as the inspection in ships at Home. It would be well for shipping and insurance companies and for Ihe ?afot.y of waterside workers if that rigid inspection was made to apply not to gw;r in ships, but to hulks and harbour boards. .Robert Constable, naval architect of tho Union Company, said a pood margin for safety was allowed in using gear. Evidonco was ulso heard on behalf of Dunedin waterside workers, and three witnesses were called on behalf of the Marine Department to speak as to the inspections carried out by them. This closed the evidence. The Hon. T. M. Wilford, chairman, thanked the shipping companies, harbour boards, and waterside workers' unions for assistance given in elucidating many complicated and important problem* relating to waterfront work. He al?o thanked his colleagues for their able examination of witnesses. Already.he could see (lint-re-forme v.-iuld be introduced as a result ol tho Commission.