HARBOUR FACILITIES

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1913, Page 2

HARBOUR FACILITIES

FOR SHALL VESSELS. THE OWNERS' GRIEVANCES. The New Zealand Shipowners" Federation, after consideration of the report of the chief inspector of machinery, ha.3 expressed the opinion to the Harbour Board that the comments on the absence of facilities for survey and overhaul of small vessels at Auckland were quite justified. The experience of members of the federation was. they state, that there had been great loss for some years past owing to no slip being available for small vessels. It was pointed out that the federation had drawn the attention of the Board to the same matter in January, 1908. and frequently since. The Board was further informed in April that the Moa, an Auckland vessel, had been obliged to survey at Gisborne, and now it had been arranged for two others, the Korora and Rangi, also to make ttse of the conveniences at that port.

It was understood, the letter continued, that there were a number of vessels due for survey, and there, were no means to accommodate them. Kxtension of certificate could not be obtained for more -than one month, and it appeared likely that some of these vessels would be required to be laid up. The matter of immediate provision to meet the requirements of the coastal fleet was submitted as one of some urgency. The Shipowners' Federation has further written to tlie. Board that the proposal to provide a slip capable of taking vessels up to 400 tons, and to divert other vessels to Calliope Dork (when the Auckland Dock is closed) will not meet the growing requirements of the port. The federation had forwarded a protest to the Board, and had urged that in addition to a slip for vessels up to 200 tons a dock of equal capacity to that of Auckland Dock be provided.

The Board has laid down an approved policy in connection with the above matter, however, and it is improbable that there will be any departure from it.