PIPIROA FERRY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5273, 11 May 1928, Page 3

PIPIROA FERRY.

POSITION OF FERRYMAN.

HOURS OF ATTENDANCE.

Arguments and discussion reminiscent of the olden days took place at yesterday’s meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council on thei topic of the Pipiroa ferry. .

On behalf of the works committee the chairman reported that from information received the committee had decided to dispense with the services of the ferryman at Pipiroa for negligence in the matter of issuing tickets. Mr Frank Wallis had been temporarily appointed ferryman, and the question of making a permanent appointment could be considered by the council later. It had also been decided to procure different tickets which would not require writing. Cr. Harris urged making the present temporary appointment a permanent one.

Cr. Madgwick advocated calling plications.Cr, Parfitt supported calling applications on condition that the wages were fixed and the hours of work were restricted to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The ferryman could perhaps be given half the fees collected at night. ■ Cr. Fisher considered that the council should pay a sufficient wage and receive the Whole of the night fees.

Cr. Parfitt moved that applicat'ons be called for the position at a wage of 15s a day ; the ferry to be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., unless prior arrangement had been made with the ferryman or council, and that the ferryman be given half the fees collected at night. He pointed out that thq opening of the Hauraki bridge would spreaci the time of the traffic, and in time it might be found that two shifts were necessary. Ci - . Mayn seconded.’

Cr. Reid opposed giving a commission o'n fees collected at night, as it was a. bad principle. He did not see that there was any necessity to run the ferry at night, .as it was not unduly hard to insist on travellers crossing by the Ngatea bridgU

After further discussion showing various* views Cr. Parfitt agreed to split his motion into Thi being done, it was quickly dte'cidecl that application be called f<xr the position, and that the ferry ba maintained f° r 24' hours a dayNineteen motions or amendments we,re moved and defeated or. withdrawn before it was decided that ordinary fares be charged from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., double fares from 9 p.m. to .midnight, and treble fares 'from midn/lght tej 7 a.m. Eight further motions or amendments were disposed of before the wages for the position were fixed at £6 a week. ’