Tardy Boat-builder To Be Penalised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 1

Tardy Boat-builder To Be Penalised

GVeu> Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 27. The Government intends invoking a latedelivery penalty clause on the Auckland builders of a 55ft fisheries patrol launch ordered by the Marine Department. The full penalty could amount to more than £9500.

Launched last November, the £55,000 launch Ohorere was expected to be delivered bv the end of the month —but it failed to reach the 18) knots specified by the department until recently. Replying to a question from Mr L. F. Sloane (Govt., Hobson), the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) told Parliament today that the vessel had just completed successful trials and added the department was in the process of taking delivery. But he commented: "The terms of the agreement made between the Government and the builders of the vessel will be adhered to.”

Asked by Mr Sloane if there was a penalty for late delivery, Mr Scott replied that the penalty imposed under the agreement would be at the rate of £3OO a week since November 30, 1965. Questioned later by an N.Z.P.A. reporter, the Minister affirmed that the Government would invoke the penalty clause. An Auckland boat-builder, Mr P. Vos, won the contract to build the Ohorere last year in the face of overseas tenders. Speed trials were dogged ■ by problems after the vessel’s I launching.