FERRIES CONFERENCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4573, 8 June 1923, Page 2

FERRIES CONFERENCE.

KOPU FERRY MAINTENANCE. UNSUITABLE PUNT. A conference between ~ representatives of the Thames and Hauraki Plains Counties and the Thames Borough was held at Thames on Wednesday evening to discuss matters in connection with the Kopu and other ferries. Mr H. Lowe presided, and there were present: His Worship the Mayor Mr T. W. Rhodes, Crs. E. N. Miller, J. Morley, J. H. Allan, S. A. Hetherington (representing the Thames Borough Council) ; Crs. R. Cox, J, McCormick, P. Faithfull, W. Brunton, and E. J. Nlccol (representing the Thames County Council); and Crs. J. C. Miller and C. W. Parfitt, (representing the Hauraki Plains County Council). The clerks of the three local bodies were also in attendance.The chairman explained that the conference had been called to ascertain the present situation. The Thames County Council as the controlling authority had received several requests for improvements to the ferry, and had had a report on the necessary work prepared. The work would cost £540. The other bodies had been notified. The Thames. Borough Council had replied that they would consent to paying their share provided that it would be the final payment. The Hauraki Plains County Council had not replied to the letter. The Thames Borough Council had been notified that it was impossible for the Thames County Council to accept full responsibility. Hence the present conference. During the last six months the returns from the ferry showed that the traffic crossing the ferry was: Passengers 3216-. motors 975, gigs, et.c., 473 bicycles and motor cycles 255, horses and carts 160, horses 291, motor lorries 75? stock 920. The return showed that the feiry was paying well. A bridge would be better, but he ferry would have to do in the meantime. The Government still had the matter of the Kirikiri bridge under consideration. The Clerk, Mr McElroy, reported on the financial position, which showed a deficit to date of £216 Is 4d. Mr Lowe said that the punt was too light for the job. .In reply Mr J. C. Miller, Mr Lowe Lowe said that the running of the ferry showed a decided profit £4' or £5 a week. It was the cost of repairs that caused the loss. If a better type of ferry were provided it would be a good paying proposition. Tn reply to Mr Rhodes the launcn driver said the engine was far too light for the work. Mr Rhodes asked what would be a suitable type of ferry and the cost? He had made enquiries from the Public Works Department, but they had not yet come to hand. Mr Lowe said that the matter had not been gone into. In his opinion a self propelled punt would be the best nroposition. It was for the confeiense to say whether plans and speci- , fications should be obtained.

Mr C. Miller said that the conference should know what the cost would be before committing themselves.

In reply to Mr J. C. Miller the launch driver said that a suitable self-propelled vessel would cost £2500 or £3OOO. Running costs would be much the same as at present, A barge and a steam tug would perhaps be obtained second-hand for £llOO or £l2OO.

The clerk read a report; by Mr J. Higgins on the cost of ai punt for the Wharepoa ferry. The pontoon 40ft by 18ft, using the existing winch and engine, would cost approximately £6OO.

Cr. Niccol said that the users of the ferry were the least enthusiastic. If anyone was not getting much benefit it was the Thames County, and they were paying the most. Tn his opinion the best vessel would be a self-pro-pelled one. It could run from Kopu to Orongo and up to Turua and back to Kopu, via Orongo.

Mr Lowe said that no matter what sort of vessel was used the matter of. the approaches needed attention. The. launch driver, said that the present slip needed urgent attention.

■Mr Lowe said it was a question of whether the service should cease or' continue to run.

Mr J. C. Miller said that the ferry should be run if it was not too much of a burden on those who had to foot t.he bill. He would not like to see the service stopped, but the cost of repairs was very high. .

In reply to Mr J. C. . Miller, the launch-driver said that the punt was in good order, but was not suitable for the job.

Replying to Mr E. N. Miller, Captain Ross, the said that a self-propelled vessel would be much bettor than a barge and tug. The ramps would need strengthening for a self-propelled vessel. Mn E. N. Miller said that in view of the probability of a bridge in the future a big expense should not be incurred without mature consideration.

Mr S. Hetherjngton said he was amazed at the number of people who used the ferry. The revenue would pay interest and sinking 'fund on a new ferry. The point was, what could the different types of ferry be disposed of for when a bridge was opened. Mr J. C. Miller said that a punt and tug could be sold at a greater advantage than*a, self-proposed vessel. Captain Ross said that the extra profit in a self-propelled vessel would be great, particularly if Orongo was only made a way port, and a slip was made at Turua. Mr McCormick said that more stock would use the ferry if it was better able to handle the traffic. Mr E. N. Miller said that the cost of running the alternative services should be otbained. A conference could then decide on what should be done. By that time more definite information in regard to the Kirikiri bridge would be available. Mr Lowe said a point to be kept in mind was the benefit to the community. The Thames' County had paid all the clerical expenses. Mr J. C. Miller said It was only

fair that this should be squared up. Mr Lowe asked who should shoulder the responsibility of an accident if one occurred. Mr McCormick said tjie ferry was a convenience to the Hauraki Plains, and his riding of the Thames County was footing the bill for the maintenance of the road between the ferry and Thames. The Thames County was heavily rated, and some definite arrangement for the apportioning of -all expenses should be arrived Q at. Mr E. Walton said that the Hauraki Plains County had had experience of ferry accidents, and now had cover with an insurance company. He suggested that the three local bodies should take out a policy. Mr C. W. Parfitt moved that it be an instruction from the conference to the Thames County Council to obtain from the Public Works Department if possible, detailed estimates of a self; propelled vessel, and a punt and tug, and in the meantime to continue running with the present plant. Mr McCormick said that in the meantime perhaps the launch alone could be run if necessary. , Mr Parfitt asked that, the cost □' strengthening the ramps should also be obtained. The. cost of obtaining these reports to be charged to the capital account. The motion was seconded by Mr J. C. Miller. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Rhodes, seconded by Mr J. C. Miller, that each local body should have one vote only. In reply to Mr J. C. Miller Captain Ross said that the-only heavy traffic ■ on the launch at present was Mr White’s bus. The bad state of the roads prevented any other heavy traffic going by that rpute. Mr E. N. Miller suggested that.the clause in reference to the cost of the reports should be as the matter of this and other costs would be discussed later. This was agreed to, and on the motion being put it was carried unani- _■ mously. Mr Rhodes moved that an insurance policy be taken out to cover accidents on any ferry. The controlling body would have an idea of the amount of the policy. The motion was seconded by Mr McCormick and carried unanimously. Mr Lowe asked what should be done in connection with repairs to the ramps. The estimates by Mr F. E. Powell showed that it would cost £540. Since then £7O had been spent, ■' and the work done would be part of the improvements. Mr Rhodes said that the question of repairs would, come before the Borough Council at its next meeting. Until then he could not give an opinion. Mr Parfitt moved that it be an instruction to the Thames County Council, as the controlling authority, to put the ramps in such order as required at once, keeping in view the' probability of a different service later. Mr Hodge, the county foreman, said that, money was being fritted away in temporarily repairing the ramps. A : contract should be let fbr the complete job. Mr J. C. Miller seconded Mr Parfitt’s resolution. His council had intended that the Thames Council should be. notified that the Plains County was agreeable to the expenditure. Mr Rhodes said he was in the position of having to vote against something to which he was favourable. His committee had not discussed the situation. Mr Lowe said that as the Plains County was favourable a decision should be arrived at after hearing the views of the Thames Borough Council.':.

Tn reply to a question by Mr. Lowe, Captain Ross said that the ramp as designed by Mr Powell would be suitable for any type of vessel, with, perhaps, a slight alteration at the ends. Mr W. Whiter who had written to the Thames County Council asking for certain concessions, waited upon the conference in support of his letter. He said that lie had great trouble when the ferry was laid up in getting a bus across the river. He desired notification as early as possible when the ferry could not run. He would like the ferry charges reduced during the winter months. Ths ferry charge for passengers should oe reduced so that workers would travel to their homes at Thames more. He was carrying mails and papers, and also school children to the Ngatea High School, free. He would also like the ferry lighted at, both ends. : Footboards should be put Ln for the benefit of foot passengers, as-there was up to four feet of mud at the O'rongo end. Mr Lowe said that the lights had been installed,, and the matter of the footboards was in the proposed improvements. Tn reply to Mr Lowe Captain Ross said he thought it inadvisable for the ferry to run at night, as a ship might easily run into the ferry. Mr White said that if the ferry did not run it would co§t him' up to severi or eight hundred pounds a year more. -If he altered his timetable to suit the five o’clock ferry passengers would have no time in Thames. After Mr White had retired, Mr Rhodes f aid that as Mi; White was a regular user of the ferry he should get some concession. Mr J. C. Miller said that his council had replied to Mr White that the council would not take the passengers to Turua if the road was impassable or the ferry was not running. Tn regard to the other questions, they should be referred to the Thames County Council, but the Hauraki Plains County was not in favour of granting the concessions asked for. His council suggested that’ a lighter bus should be used during the winter months. Mr J. Morley said that the bus with six-inch tyres caused less damage than milk carts with three-inch tyres. •t. Mr E. N. Miller said that Mr White should be commended for running the service, and he should be supported. He was running regularly, and would be a person to advise on means of augmenting .the revenue of the ferry. Mr Lowe said that at a previous conference it was agreed to help Mr

White, as he was assisting the town and the Plains. At a later conference it yas decided that no concessions -should be made. Mr E. N. Miller said that by not making concessions the ferry might be losing mpney, and the controlling authority should be given some latitude. If Mr White did not get. some concession he might stop the service, and the town, the Plains, the ferry revenue would be the losers. Mr J. C. Miller said that the resoluMr J. C. Miller considered that concessions to stock would be advantageous. Mr Rhodes thought that, regular users should get a concession, and each case should be dealt with on its merits. . Mr J. C. Miller said that his council would not agree to concessions being granted. Owing to the preference to the bus other vehicles were using the other ferries. Mr Lowe said that no preference was given to the bus. Mr. McElroy said that concessions could be given if advertised. Mr E. N. Miller suggested that the whole matter should be left to the controlling authority. / Mr.Faithfull said that if the controlling authority was tied down ii could not carry on. Mr E. N. Miller moved that for the time being all details in connection with the management and running of the ferry, including concessions and preferences, be left to the discretion of the Thames County Council, Mr S. Hetherington seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr E. J. Niccol suggested that before deciding on the type of ferry it should be decided whether to run io Turua. Mr Lowe said that the law prohibited a launch service in opposition to a ferry. The launch must not land within a mile of the ferry, WHAREPOA FERRY. Mr J. C. Miller said that, the punt at Wharepoa needed renewing. It was for the Thames and Hauraki Plains County Council to decide whether the service should be continuedIf it was, a new punt was necessary. The punt had beeg run by a lessee, who paid a regular sum' to the Plains Council for the right to run the ferry. Mr McElroy pointed out that the Kopu ferry punt would be suitable for -Wharepoa. Mr Brunton said he would be very sorry to see the ferry closed. It had been built largely by public subscription. He suggested that a meeting of settlers' in the area concerned should be held. Mr Lowe suggested deferring the matter until the next conference, when the position in regard to the Kopu punt would be known. It was decided, on the motion of Mr J. C. Miller, seconded by Mr H. Lowe, that the matter be defer ( red till the next conference, and in the meantime the opinion of the settlers to be ascertained.