THE KOPU FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4583, 6 July 1923, Page 4

THE KOPU FERRY.

THAMES COUNTY DISCUSSION. At the meeting of the Thames County Council on Wednesday matters in connection with the Kopu ferry were again discussed. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., wrote from Wellington stating that he had interviewed the Public Works Department about the matter of a new ferry at Kopu and had been informed that the Department was now going into the question and in all probability would, in the near future, be able to give some good information. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, Auckland, wrote forwarding particulars of a vehicular ferry boat that might be suitable for the Kopu ferry. The ferry could take six char-a-bancs and tour ordinary cars at one trip. It was made of steel, would take 20 tons over; the prows, was driven by a steam engine and paddle-wheels at about four miles an hour, and was guided by wire ropes which lie on the bottom of the river. The cost would be about £6OOO. He also suggested some form of hydraulic propulsion, but enclosed no particulars.

The chairman said that the thanks of the Council were due to the Public Works Department engineer. The proposal was not, suitable, and the money would be better used in connection with the bridge.

The Town Clerk, Thames, wro‘o forwarding copy of resolutions adopted by the .Borough Council.

(1) The Commitee has fully considered the .statements of receipts and expenditure and recomends that the Council pay one-third of 'the cost, as arranged.

(2) The Committee recommends that the Council contribute one-third of the cost of strengthening ramps, the estimate for which is £540.

(3) With a view to more expeditious handling of business connected with the ferry, and of any repairs necessary in connection therewith, that, it be a recommendation that the future control of the ferry be exercised by the chairman and the clerk of each of the three local bodies concerned,, viz.: Thames and Hauraki Plains County Councils and Thames Borough Council. With regard to the latter resolution the Borough Council desired to say that is was for the purpose of assisting the Thames County Council and to avoid the present somewhat ■cumbersome method of holding conferences, and it was not in any way to be taken as a reflection on the past administration, but quite to the contrary. While facilitating the work, the position would be that ths Thames County Council would continue to be the controlling local authority. Accompanying the letter was a cheque for £424 17s 3d, being the balance of the Borough’s portion of the cost of the ferry. . The chairman said that he thought, it would facilitate matters if the suggestion was adopted. Instead of summoning a conference of the whole of the three local bodies urgent matters could be decided by the chairmen and clerks. The Council then went into committee. In reference to the light on the slip, the clerk said that to put it at the end of the ramp would be contrary to Marine regulations. CONCESSIONS. The chairman said, in reference to My white’s application for concessions, that, he should get a concession as he was a regular customer. Every passenger should pay the ordinary rate. It was known that people actually boarded [the bus to get out of paying ferry fees. As there were fewer travellers now, lie thought that a concession should be made to the bus. It ran two return trips a day. Reductions for regular users were general in all businesses. Or. Cox agreed that there was justification for a little concession. There was no doubt thalt, the bus service was not paying, and it was a reasonable thing to give a concession. However, the bus was cutting up the roads.

Cr. Faithful said that while the Hauraki Plains people were getting the benefit of the service they were against giving concessions.

Cr. Alley said that the people of the Hauraki Plains and the Thames Borough were getting the benefit, ami should pay for the ferry. He was against giving concessions.

Tne cler,k pointed out that a coucssion could not be given to any one man. He suggested that any man running more than 20 |trip,s a month could be given a concession. Cr Cox said that the whole of the charges could be revised. The chairman said that this could now be done, as the last conference had given the Council authority to do what it thought best,.

Cr. Lowe said that he had been approached by a man who wished for a concession [to enable him to tender for the cartage of about 150 tons of cord to the Ngatea factory. Cr. McCormick said that he was opposed to the granting of any concession as the ratepayers would have to pay for it. Users of the ferry should pay for it.

Cr. Faithful said tha/t before iha Council thought £p-£iving concessions the question of cost should be it might be necessary to -faise ferry charges. Cr. Lowe said that the present service was paying except for the cost for repairs. Had a properly constructed ferry been installed the service would have paid well. . Members agreed that it would pay the Thames County better if the punt was tied up. The roads were undoubtedly suffering. Cr. McCormick moved,- and Cr. Alley seconded, that no concessions be given Mr White. Cr. Cox moved as an amendment that a small committee be set up to go inito the question of concessions and charges and report to the Council.—Carried.

On the motion of Cr. Cox, the chairman. Crs. Cox and McCormick were elected the committee.