NEW FERRIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 151, 28 June 1945, Page 7

NEW FERRIES

delayed by war

preparations forward

"I trust that me residents of the North Shore in particular take into consideration that, like every other pipping company, we have been held up in the matter of shipbuilding during the past six years of war," said Sir Ernest Davis, chairman, at the annual meeting of the Devonport steam Ferry Co. to-day. "in 1938 we had planned a building programme and had it not been for the circumstances mentioned the probability is that we would by now have had at least two new steamers in j commission. "I have mentioned on a previous occasion, and would like to repeat, that we had purchased the timber and were about to lay the keel of a new ship when the greatest crisis in our national history overtook us. we volunteered to hand over this material at once. This we did at rost and it was accepted by the authorities, with special thanks. We also gave up our building yard, in which a number of small war vessels were constructed, and are still being built In spite of this, and at times under difficulties mentioned in my remarks to-day, we have maintained our time-tables and services—which for charges and general efficiency speak for themselves. "On Monday last, during the hearing of a deputation received on several matters of interest, it was mentioned that a feeling existed in certain sections of the North Shore that they, or the Government, should take over the ferries, The directors authorise me to state that, if that is so, with every respect, we shall not be averse to discussing an appropriate offer."

The directors reported last year that instructions had been given for the preparation of plans for new ships. Already the company's manager had visited Australia twice in this connection, and general specifications had been sent forward for consideration by shipbuilding and engine-making firms in Britain, so that the company might be ready to move to post-war construction as soon as circumstances permitted. It had yet to be decided whether these ships would be built in Auckland or in England. It might be thought that they should be built in Auckland, but if the circumstances were such that it became necessary to have them built in England, it must be borne in mind that the company would be, after all, having them built by New Zealand's best customer for her primary products.

"Endeavours have been made in Australia to procure a suitable vessel for the vehicular service, but exhaustive examination of the vessel offering, which in point of size was suitable, showed that she was not otherwise adaptable for our services, and we had perforce to pass her over," added Sir Ernest. "This was unfortunate in view of present needs, but the desire of the company to maintain a first-class service makes it patent that nothing»3aut the best will do."