Hearing set for ferry winding-up action

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 4

Hearing set for ferry winding-up action

PA Wellington A winding-up action against Kiwi Shipping, Ltd, the inter-island ferry service that did not sail, will be heard in the High Court at Wellington on October 2. The company’s 1200-ton Bahamian-owned ferry Kiwi has been arrested under Admiralty Rules and is tied up at the overseas passenger terminal with writs against it amounting to more than $138,000. The winding-up action

was initiated by the company’s operations manager, Mr Peter White who says he is owed net wages of $4700. The executive crew, who say they have not been paid since their last pay cheques bounced on June 20, are suing for a total of $85,000. All but one have left the ship. Last week the company moved voluntarily to liquidate but company lawyers said there were communication problems with the Norwegian shareholder and

progress along that line was stalled. Mr White said his lawyers were now preparing for the hearing — ironically, on the day after the Kiwi was free to sail at the expiry of another High Court order banning the ship plying for five months. The $4.5 million ship was supposed to start work on April 30. If Mr White’s action is successful, a nominated receiver will be appointed.