THE KOPU FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4684, 7 April 1924, Page 3

THE KOPU FERRY.

DANGEROUS STATE STRESSED. ACTION AGAIN DEFERRED. The dangerous state of the Kopu ferry ; ?lant was again brought to the . attention of the controlling body, ths •Thames County Council, by its engineer in his monthly report as follows :— ‘I again have tp bring to your notice the serious condition of the Kopu ferry launch, It is imperative that the launch should be thoroughly overhauled, both engine and hull. The engine trouble became wo acute that a local mechanic had to be sent to work through one night to enable the service to be carried on during next day, and only temporary repairs were carried out to one of the cylinders, which had become badly broken and leaky. It is extremely risky to run her in the present condition, and ar - rangements should be made to have the boat up on the slip at once. Moreover, the hull is very jnuch in need of urgent repairs, several of the ribs are broken, and the sheathing requires considerable renewals. I would recommend that the launch be immediately taken off the run and another boat hired to run the ferry during the time of the overhaul. “In view of the fact that no definite arrangements can be made regardin f work necessary to place the ramps in more advantageous positions along the river banks, and also to erect them in a more substantial manner, I propose carrying out the alterations and repairs already authorised. Th? fact is apparent that the ferry is carrying an increasing amount of traffic, and the present state of the whole plant is evidence of the pressing need for many of the alterations recommended. Tenders will be-called during the month for the works on the ramps.” Nothing was done by the council. Tim whole of the engineer’s report, of which this was a part, was referred to the finance committee, which body will not meet until next month. The: inaction of the Thames county in this matter is unexplain--able. Many months ago the ferry was reported as unseaworthy and. dangerous, yet nothing has so far been done. Sooner or later a mishap will occur, causing perhaps loss of life and property and involving the ratepayers of the Hauraki Plains and Thames counties and the Thames Borough in a claim for compensation. The chairman. of. the Thames County Council admitted this many months ago, yet it was on hfs motion at .Thursday s meeting that the matter was againdeferred.