THE KOPU FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4697, 12 May 1924, Page 2

THE KOPU FERRY.

COMPLETE BREAKDOWN NEW LAUNCH TO BE PURCHASED.

Much correspondence was read at the Thames County Council meeting at Thames on Thursday last relative to the Kopu ferry. The county clerk had written to the Thames Borough ami the Hauraki Plains County Council informing them that the launch Orongo had completely broken down and had been withdrawn from the service. The ferry was kept running by a launch that had been hired by the day for the purpose.. From advice received it was evident that the Orongo could not be repaired or made tit to again take up the running, and therefore a new launch must be purchased for the work. If the councils were prepared to find their shares at the cost of this boat steps would be taken immediately for the purchase, failing an agreement being reached be*ween the three bodies concerned it was the council's intenliu i to close the ferry.

The town clerk, Thames, wrote stating that his council was sorry to learn that the launch had completely broken down, and would be glad ,o Ictrn what expert opinion had been obtained as to the practicability of putting her into a state of efficiency. Particulars of the launch proposed to be purchased were asked for. To this the county council had replied that it was well served in the matter of expert advice, but it did not desire the borough council's unwilling acceptance .of its opinion. It was realised that tiie borough had every right to obtain independent advice. At the same time the County Council, being the controlling authority, reserved the right to close the ferry in the interests of public safety. Tiie chairman reported that a meeting of the chairmen of the three local bodies concerned had been held, and he had been instructed to purchase another launch.

The engineer reported as follows : —

*'ln company with the chairman visited Auckland to investigate and inspect a proposed launch to replace the Orongo. Particulars aud pric.liau been supplied. The launch was iuepected, and it was found to be alight duty, fast boat, and although it w is strongly built and practically new, it was not heavily built, and would have had to be strengthened inside and out before being put on the run. In any ease, tiie engine alone was not at all likely to stand up to our requirements.

••Several other launches were also investigated with one of tiie engineers from Messrs Twigg’s Engineerin'; Company, but none was seen of a sui'able type. Inquiries, were still continued, and it has to be admitted that the heavily-built heavy duty boats are too much in demand to even get a variety of inspection. Aim cover, they are a class apart from the usual high powered boats. Several of the latter are'offered at prices varying from £450 to £7OO, but the lowest priced suitable boat is £lOOO, and these prices go as high as £lBOO. *' , boat has been located whicli comes up to our requirements, but the price is £lOOO. Tliis boat is owned by the Wairoa (H. 8. Harbour Board, and was specially built and engined for sea-towing and lightering.

"As an alternative I would very strongiy recommend investigating steamboats. The strong objection te the.se is the necessity for a steam man extra. It would appear, however, that the saving in fuel would more I han compensate for this extra expense, particularly if the boat was fit’od with condensing engines. Thre ! lik<'ly steamboats have been located, namely, the Tua, of Auckland, an 1 the Kaipara and Sonomo, of Northern Wairoa. Any of these boats should be procurable under £6OO, and the question is well worth investigating. 1 would recommend that these three steamboats and the oil launch a; Napier be inquired into and inspected, as the matter, of course, is one of great urgency.”