KOPU-ORONGO FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4521, 31 January 1923, Page 1

KOPU-ORONGO FERRY.

LOCAL BODIES CONFER. A SUCCESSFUL ISSUE. AT J, TREATED ALIKE. A conference w.as held at /Thames on Friday between representatives the thpee local bodies interested in the running of the Kopu-Orongo ferry, namely, the Hauraki Plains County Council, Thames County Council, and Thames Borough Council. The following were present.—Hauraki Plains County Council: Messrs J. C. Miller (county chairman), W. H. Hayward, C. W. Parfitt, and A. Chatfield. Thames County Council: Messrs A. Alley. J. McCormick, P. Faithful, W. Cox, and E. McElroy' (clerk). Thames Borough Council: Messrs J. Rowe, H. Eaddy, S. A. Hetherington, W. J. Cropp, and A. Chapman (town clerk). On the motion of Mr McCormick, Mr J. C. Miller (Hauraki Plains County Chairman) was elected to the chair. OPEN DISCUSSION INVITED. The chairman said they would have the privilege of openly discussing the whole matter of the Kopu-Orongo ferry In November the matter of the back debt was discussed, and it was then agreed that each of the three local bodies should pay a third of the expenses; It was suggested that the arrangement .then understood to exist should be allowed to run on until the end of March in the hope of making up leeway. After carefully considering the question, it was decided that the Thames County should be the governing authority while the test was going oh. There was, he understood, a feeling that they were up against Mir White. As a matter of fact, they were not up against anyone. All they wanted was a fair and equitable arrangement for the running of the ferry in the Interests of all. He desired to know if local bodies were legally able to make concessions. The concession made in connection with the motor service was not, of course, the best arrangement that could be made. The point was, were they in a position to make concessions ? The Thames County Council’s action in termniating the arrangement was quite equitable, and they were within their rights in doing what .they had done. Their intention was 1 tp make the ferry a payable P r ey position. He (the chairman) had heai-d that Mr White’s ’bus had preference, but Mr Lowe had informed him that no preference was given to Mr White by his council. From his own knowledge, however, ihe knew that the 'bus had held up traffic to get preference—and this was stated in Mr White’s advertisement. When the ’bus went over with half a dozen or 20 passengers the passengers were getting over free. He told Mr Lowe that each passenger should pay. a toll. Passengel’s were going over up to 1000 a month and paying nothing. If they paid the same fares as other passengers the other charge might be reduced. There was, moreover, evidence that people were coming across to the Kopu station and paying nothing. The principal thing was that the ferry should be made a payable proposition.

THE AGREEMENT. The chairman asked if there was an agreement—he had never seen it — what the agreement was,, when it was made, who authorised it, and when it was terminable. Mr McCormick apologised for the absence o,f Mr Lowe, who, he said,' was ill, .and said the clerk could tell them of the agreement. Mr McElroy explained what had been done when Mr White proposed to run a service, and said that, wishing to give every facility to the public, every opportunity was given to Mtr White .to run a temporary service. The arrangement was purely verbal and temporary. There were no resolutions’, and it was understood that the arrangement should stand until a further conference was held. The council looked upon it as a week to week arrangement. It was thought that it would bring traffic tp the ferry. No definite agreement was made with Mr White, who was simply running on sufferance. Mr S. A. Hetherington apologise 1 for .the absence of the Mayor, who, he said, had some other arrangement that made it impossible for him to attend. He asked what the had been. < COST OF RUNNING. Mr McElroy said the expenses were as under: — Expenses: Cost of running first 10 weeks to October 31, 1922, £165 14s 3d. Receipts to October 31, £96 12s Bd. Loss on first 10 weeks, £69 Is 7d. Receipts second 10 weeks, to January 6. 1923, £204 14s 6d. Cost of running and replacing staff, £l9O 10s 6d. Excess on second nine weeks, £l4 4s. Total cost. 19 weeks to January 6, 1923, £356 4s 9d. Total receipts 19 weeks to January 6, 1923, £3Ol 7s 2d. Loss on ferry tp January 6, £s4' 17s 7d. In the first ten weeks wages and fuel costs were incurred several weeks prior to the commencement of the regular serviec. In the second period is included a charge of £26 paid to the former crew in lieu of notice, and represents a double charge for wages. The total amount collected from White’s bus service, including extra trips a,t Christmas, for seven weeks is £23 15s 6d. Average weekly receipts for first ten weeks was £9 13s 3d. Average weekly receipts .for second nine weeks was £22 15s.

A BOROUGH VIEWPOINT. Mr Hetherington said lie l was pleased to hear the figures read. The ferry had-practically paid its . way so

far, after deducting figures that would not be recurring. He knew it ■was in the mind of the Mayor that the County Council would report to the local bodies concerned on the working of the arrangement made at the conference. The chairman said he did not think one council received any word. He had certainly anticipated that the Thames County Council would have done that. Mr Hetherington said he took it that the three local bodies were in unison in wanting tp make the ferry a success. The results' of the ferry’s working was, he thought,, ve#’y gratifying. It had clearly been shpwn that Mr White had no preference to the ferry, though possibly he could claim that when carrying the mails. He considered that it might be necessary to amend -the charges in the direction of charging passengers, which might make a difference of £5O a monlii. He knew that the Thames Borough Council was anxious' to cooperate with the other bodies. At the same time, they did not want to cut out the £3 a week unless it was possible to get it from somewhere else. Mr Eaddy: What would be the charge if Mr White was paying the full rates ? Mr McElroy: Six shillings return and Is for each passenger. QUESTION OF LEGALITY. In answer to a question Mr McElroy said if vehicles were waiting when a full load was leaving the return trip to bring them over was not counted as a “special.” It was not legal to give concessions when a schecftile was fixed, but in this case it had been allowed to go on from weej< to week. If, a fresh schedule was made it. would be quite right to give concessions. Mr Chapman (Town Clerk) said he believed local bodies had the right to give concessions and use their discretion. Mr McCormick said his council had a report from Mr Powell (consulting engineer) recommending that certain protection work had to be done tp the approaches tp the ferry. These would cost approximately £6OO. The launch was not suitable, and would later have to be strengthened. There w r as £9OO loan money in hand for the ferry, and £283 due from the borough. He thought, therefore, that that work should be done first,, as it would never be done put of administration charges. Mr McElroy said there was a danger of the whole staging toppling over, and because of .that it was decided to get'Mr Powell to report. He had received a telegram from Mr Powell estimating the cost of necessary work at £6oo'. The chairman said it would be a pity to see the ferry stopped. “NOT STRONG ENOUGH.”

Mr McCormick said it had been stated that the launch was npt strong enough. Captain Ross, of the launch, s'aid the boat was far; too light for, the job, though it might last if it was strengthened up, A stronger engine was wanted, bu.t the launch was not strong enough to stand it. Mr Cox said the best thing would be tp get a new launch. Mr Faithful said a steam launch would be best. Captain Ross said a steam launch would cost over £lOOO. The launch was too light, and the present engine would soon give trouble, so that the boat would drift, all over the river. Mr McElroy said it had been estimated that a punt with: an engine to drive it would cost £3ooo'. Mr Rowe : If we went on like that we’d spend enough to build the bridge. PUNT NOT SAFE. Captain Ross said the punt was unsuitable. It was not safe. The punc leaked now—nothing alarming, but it had to be pumped out every day. He suggested that they should get a barge under its own power. At present, the punt bent, and was sometimes under water at both ends. There were times when he should not have gone out at all. Mr Hetherington said they were hopefuL that the bridge would, soon be there, but meanwhile they would have to go on. The chairman said the main things to consider first were concessions and the question of preference. Mr McElroy said there was no preference.

NO CONCESSIONS WANTED. Mr Rowe: The passengers should get no concessions. The Chairman : Oh, no. The passengers won’t get concessions. Mr McElroy said the £3 a week included the passengers—two return trips' a day. Mr Eaddy said Mr "White should pay the same fare as for any other motor lorry, and the passengers could pay, say, Is return. He considered, however, that a public service should have the first right to the ferjry. Mr Cox disagreed, and said everyone should pay alike. He did not believe in any concessions. Mr Hayward suggested that a little concession should be given for the ’bus, but that passengers should pay the ott’dinary fares. If any concession were made Mr White should get it. Mr Alley opposed the giving of any concession whatever. It was, to him, very doubtful if Mr Whitens big ? bus should be allowed .to go Over at allThere should be no concessions. Mr McCormick said no concessions should be given at all. That morpiing they had had an informal meeting, and the Thames County Council waS opposed to any reduction in fares being given. Mr Chatfield moved: ''That no concession be given to anybody, and mo-

preference.” Mr Cox seconded the motion. i Mr Parfitt endorsed the motion, and said if there had been no concessions, but the fares had been reduced all round, they would probably have been in a better position to-day. He wanted to see cheaper fares to everyone. It was stated that the motion would be a recommendation to the Thames County Council. Mr Hetherington suggested that the present arrangement should be continued till the end of March. “We must think,” he said, “where we are going tp get the £3 a week from.” Mr McElroy said their motive in making the existing arrangement was to advertise the ferry. AN AMENDMENT. Mr Hetherington moved, as an amendment, that it be a recommendation to the controlling body that, the existing arrangement be allowed to continue till the end of March. Mr McElroy said possibly a lot of the criticism had come from the Hauraki Plains. And possibly they were working in the interests of the Plains’ when they made .the arrangements referred to. The Chairman: I don’t know if they were or not. We will say, though, that they were. Well, why didn’t the Hauraki Plains passengers pay for the privilege ? POSITION DOUBTFUL. Mr McCormick referred to the fall-* ing off of traffic over .the Wharepoa ferry, and the wear and tear on the roads, and said ho was not so sure .that the position, was as good as they thought. Mr McElroy said Mr White had been notified on the 10th thfit he would in future be charged schedule rates. The BorpngK Council and H” raki Plains County chairman had, :however, written suggesting that, .the arrangement should continue till this conference, and this was done. Mr Rowe said no 1 concession should be given, and passengers by the ’bus should, pay the same as all other pas u sengers. No one seconded Mi’ Hetheringtpn's amendment. MOTION CARRIED. Mr Chatfield’s motion was put to the meeting and carried, all apparently voting for it except Mr Hetherington, who did not vote either way. Mr McElroy said the resolution carried would come into operation immediately. Mr Chapman said he did npt know before this that there was any criticism of .the county. The Chairman : It was constructive criticism. It w<i£ stated that the ambulance would go free. RETURN TICKETS.

Mr Hayward suggested that return tickets should be available for an indefinite period. Mr McElroy said he would not recommend them to make the ticket available for more than the following day. . SUNDAY TRIPS. In/answer tp a question, Mr McElroy said it would be best to cut. out Sunday trips. The men had to have a day’s rest. Sunday trips did not pay. A TELEPHONE CONNECTION. Mr Hayward suggested that there should be a .telephone connection at Orongo. It was very necessary. Mr McElroy said the council hai had groat difficulty in getting a connection at Kopu. In the course plf a week or two, howver, it was expected to arrange for a connection. Arrangements were being made for ringing almost continuously for the sports and show a-t Ngatea. ENGINEER’S RECOMMENDATION. Mr McElroy asked if the meeting was in favour of the work recommended by Mr Powell being done. Mr Chapman suggested that the work recommended should first be submitted to the three local bodies concerned. It was decided to ask the County Council to act as suggested. In acknowledging an exceptionally hearty vote of thanks for having presided, the chairman said he had been pleased to notice that those - present were out to do everything that, was fair and square to everybody. This terminated the conference.