PATENT SLIP

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 309, 25 September 1919, Page 7

PATENT SLIP

COMPANY CALLED UPON TO FULFIL

AGREEMENT

SMALL SHIPOWNERS RESTIVE

The Wellington Patent Slip Company. Ltd., figured prominently in the\ourse of an interesting .discussion at lust night's meeting of the Harbour Board, when the Wharves and Accounts Committee tabled the following recommendation: "That the board call upon the AVellington Patent Slip Company to proceed promptly with the erection of the second, patent slip in accordance with the .agreement between the board and the company," ' „ Speaking in favour of the recommendation, Captain C. M'Arthur said that the smaller ships were very often stuck up waiting for accommodation on the slip. Mr. C. E. Dnniell agreed with tho previous speaker, and added that the smaller ships ought not to be under the domination of the larger ocean-going vessels. Ho hoped they would take, this matter into more serious consideration with a .view to the possible erection of a slip by the board itself. • ' - Mr. C. M, Turrell agreed that it was quite right to call upon the company to proceed with the erection of a second slip. At the same time he' did not think the board had any right to step in and alter any contract it entered 'into with the company until it found that the company was not prepared to carry out its part of the undertaking. .As to the' remarks relative to over-. sprs ships, Mr. Tuvrell pointed out th"-' thev had no interest ( in th? conwanv, and he failed to see how they could be said to dominate the position. The Company's Composition. Mr. Daniell: la it the Union Company? ! Mr. Turrell: "Certainly. You' cannot say, however, that the P. and 0. Company is running the slip. It is not running it any more than I am." He added that the faot that the Union Company was merged in the P. and 0. Company did not give the latter company control of the slip. It wa3 in the hands of the Patent Slip Company's shareholders, some of them local jnen. Mr. Daniell: They only run the Union Company-.then? Mr. Turrell: I don't know what they run.' * I don't even know whether they run G. B.'Daniell and Co. or not! Mr. Daniell: Don't get annoyed! Mr. Turrell denied the soft impeachment, and added that he waa just explaining that Mr. Daniell was camouflaging the position. Mr. J. G. Cobbo at this stage asked when the company was first called upon to fulfil its obligations. The chairman (Mr. J. G. Harkness) explained that it was just before the war. Difficulties arose and on account of the war making conditions abnormal ■the company was not-prepared to carry out the work. The board consequently agreed to the matter being shelved. Tho board had now' been written to_'l)y a number of owners of smaller shipping, asking that the company be called upon to provide a second slip for smaller vessels. The board was therefore only doing its duty in. calling upon the company to carry out its obligations. Mr. J. W. M'Kwan suggested that the' company be called 'upon to commence the work of erecting a second slip within two months. He moved accordingly. The word "promptly" contained in-the recommendation was not definite- enough. Failing compliance with the bourn's demand, the board could take such 6teps 'as it deemed necessary under 'the ciroumstancesi , - Mr, M'Ewan's motion was then pinto the meeting and' lost on the voices, and tho • committee's . recommendation adopted as it stood.