SLIP FOR SMALL VESSELS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 107, 6 May 1913, Page 7

SLIP FOR SMALL VESSELS.

FEDERATION URGES IMMEDIATE COXSTRU C TIO-V . A further communication from the secretary of the Xew Zealand Shipowners' Federation .to the Harbour Board thi* afternoon on the matter of slips for the use of small vessels, urged that as a site was now available no further delay should occur in providing what was an essential adjunct to the equipment of the port. H was true, ran the letter, that the Auckland Dock was available, but it was too costly for vessels of the. size for which a slip was wanted, and owners, in order to save pxpense, were obliged to run their vessels much longer without sighting than would b= the C4isr if proper facilities were afforded. In conclusion, said the writer, it was urged by the committee of the Federation that immediate steps be taken to proceed with the work.

Another phase of Jj>e position appeared in a letter from Messrs. A. Henderson and Son. In this the writers asked ■whether, having leaeed allotments from the Board at Freeman's Bay at an annual rental of ,€125 for a term of 21 years, the rates being an additional £25 per year, and been put to considerable expense in erecting sheds, putting down slipway, installing hauling gear, etc.. at an expenditure of about £1,000, it was fair on the part .of the. Board to entor into competition against its tenants. They pointed out that since starting last December they had hauled 25 vessels, while if the trade warranted it they were prepared to lay down a second slip, besides which there were others who intended putting their felip'g in order. Any delay in handling small craft was due to the dislocation of trade, caused by the late insecurity of tenancy, and the. time lost in removal - from old to new sites, also by the owners themselves not always being ready to take their turns as placed on the' list, contended the writers.