MISHAP TO STEAMER

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 10

MISHAP TO STEAMER

HARBOUR BOARD REFUNDS DUES CHARGE OF INCONSISTENCY. An echo of a mishap which occurred last year when the Port Nicholson struck the Quarantine Island rock, which has recently been removed, was heard at the Otago Harbour Board's meeting last week, when a sub-committee recommended a refund of dock dues to the owners. During the discussion strong exception was taken by Captain M'Donald to an allegation by Mr F. E. Tyson that he had been inconsistent. The committee reported as follows: — “ After carefully considering the request of the Commonwealth and Dominion Line for reconsideration of the question of an allowance in dock dues, and also the recent letter from the Controller and Audi-tor-general in connection with the matter the committee recommends, in view of the previous decisions of the board and the latest opinion of the Controller and Audi-tor-general bearing on the matter, that the dock dues amounting to £139 Ils be refunded without prejudice.” Mr T. Anderson: Is that the full amount? The chairman (M r J. Loudon): No. About half. Mr H. C. Campbell said that the total cost had been £286, and the members of the committee had agreed that it would be proper to make half allowance. Though the board could ill afford the expense, it would be money well spent, as the board i wished to encourage every vessel to come

to the port. In addition it might help to clear up any misunderstanding that I might exist between the company and some i members of the board. 1 Mr J. B. Waters said that the suggestion had not been brought forward with the idea of admitting any liability. It was purely an act of grace. Mr W. Begg: Does this mean that the board’s officers were at fault? Members: No. Mr Begg: Well, what does it mean? If any other company asked for the same thing, he added, he did not see how the request could be turned down. Captain M'Donald said that reference had been made to misunderstandings between the board’s officials and the company. He had been chairman at the time, and he knew that there had been no misunderstanding. Harbour boards and trusts had had a big struggle in freeing themselves of this liability. He stressed the fact that compulsory pilotage did not free the owners of a vessel ■ from liability in the event of a collision. Mr Anderson said that he was glad to see that the committee had taken the commonsense point of view. If the board got the companies’ backs up it wduld be the worse for the board. The board was dependent on shipowners. Mr A. Campbell stated that the company hacUsaid that it would not spend a penny in Otago Harbour until the matter was rectified. Mr Tyson said that the ship had been under the control of a pilot. The mere fact that the board was spending £4OOO in removing the reef showed that the board had felt that it had a duty incumbent upon it. There was no doubt that it had been in the road. Like Shylock, Captain M'Donald was sticking out for his pound of flesh.' Sometimes people looked on these matters on moral grounds. He would like the chairman to keep this in mind for future reference. Captain M'Donald: What did you say?

Mr Tyson: I asked the chairman fti keep it in mind. He may want it forfuture reference. There is nothing detrimental in that. Some people have a great gift for battling for things on moral grounds. In other words, you are not quite consistent. Captain M'Donald: You want the chair- 1 man to believe that I am not consistent. Mr Tyson:: I remarked that you were sticking out for your pound of flesh. I hope you see that you always get it. “ I ask the chairman when tie is conducting the meeting to see that there is no reference to individuals,” said Captain M'Donald. He had been a member of the board for seven years, he added, and during that time no similar reference had been made. It was degrading when a member made such references to another member. “If you want me to break out,” he. added, “ I certainly will. 1 am not afraid of any member. I can hold my own. I will not allow any member to l make persona] references to me.” The chairman, who had tried several times to interrupt Captain M'Donald without success, said that he would allow no member to make any remark that was not parliamentary. Captain M'Donald: You have already done so. I haven’t travelled the world for nothing. If you make me start you will get all you want. The chairman: You were accused of inconsistency. That is -a charge that is made every day in public life and in Parliament. Captain M'Donald: This is not Parliament. This is a business house. The chairman said that he agreed with the remarks, of Captain M'Donald with respect to the committee’s proposal. While 'it might appear harsh, a big principle was involved. A fight had been made for 100 years to protect boards from this liability. A vessel might come to the harbour worth £1.000,000 and meet with a mishap. If this principle were affirmed

the board would be ruined in one act. Every shipping company w'as insured to the last farthing. The report was adopted by eight votes to three, the chairman, Mr Begg, and Captain M'Donald voting against it.