A NEW TUG

Evening Star, Issue 14523, 26 November 1910, Page 2

A NEW TUG

FOR THE HARBOR BOARD. Mr Belcher moved a series of resolutions at yesterday’s Harbor Board meeting, proposing that, the Board should obtain a new tug, tenders for which should bo called in Now Zealand. Mr Belcher declared that the Board needed a new tug, and that it was tho duty of a public body like the Harbor Board to lead the way in giving local shipbuilding a start. He proposed that tho engines and fire-sup-pressing appliances with which the tug would bo equipped should also be locally made. He believed that the two-boiler system should be adopted—one for ordinary work, and both for emergencies. Mr Platts seconded tiie motion, and said that, properly equipped, the tug might be given a wide radius as a salvage boat. Mr Ross supported the motion, and said that the Board had the money, to that finance was no obstacle.

The Chairman (Mr Barclay) said that in the event of the vessel being built here there were a number of special appliances which would have to be imported. There would bo duty to be paid on these. The Government ought to make same tariff concession if the Board were prepared io nay a larger sum .simply to ere Mirage the local builders. The Government should remit the duty (amounting to from 20 io 25 par cent.) on the plant. If the vessel were built at Home she would come out without paying any duly, whereas if (he parts were imported and put together here the duty was a serious item.

Mr Godfred said that if tenders were, restricted to New Zealand only the result would be that, a bigger price would have to be paid for the ing than if tenders were given a general scope. The reason was that there would to a combination among these tendering, Mr Gow said that, sympathetic as he was to our local industries and anxious as he was to seo the tug built here, he thought tho Board would be wise to adhere to a former resolution on the books to the effect that tejidcre be called in Britain as well. His reason was the same as Mr Godfred’s. He would have no objection to preference being given to Now Zealand tenderers.

Mr Loudon suggested the substitution of the word “ forthwith ’’ for “in New Zealand ” in the. proposal io cal! for lenders.

Mr Belcher agreed lo this, and tbe resolution to call for tenders for the tug forthwith was carried.