“DESPERATE STATE OF AFFAIRS.”

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6184, 15 September 1921, Page 5

“DESPERATE STATE OF AFFAIRS.”

WORKING OF PORT OF WAIROA. 'THE CATHKIT CASE; ALSO THE WAR LORD. Thus the Wairoa' Guardian: Mr. Taylor, at the Harbor Board meeting brought up the question of the failure to tow in the Cathkit, a . scow which has been beating about in the bay for the last three weeks, as there were all sorts of rumors afloat and some of them should be disposed of. Could the Harbor Board’s launch not be used to tow the vessel in—it was a desperate state of affairs. The chairman 'said .that Clare ana Clare were a private firm, in opposition to Richardson and Co., and while the Board would be glad to see the vessel brought in, they had no information as to the position. Clare and Clare had not made any complaint or asked the Board to do anything, the Board had no data to go upon and had no status in the matter. It was not fair to the district that such a thing should occur, but if Clare ana Clare asked for it he would investigate. Mi - Corkill agreed with the views of the chairman and Mr Taylor and said that the Power Board was being saved £ISOO by getting these poles delivered »by I>lie scows.; tlie vessel for the last three weeks had been largely in the hands of Providence. The first day she arrived she could have been brought in easily. The Board should take an interest in this matter. Even a motorist on the road gave another a. pull. (A member: “Some of them.”) He might also mention the case of the War Lord when she was last in the river with poles. A Public Works officer had arranged for his furniture to be shipped by her to Gisborne direct; he had it put on board, and when Richardson and Co. found out about it they said that unless it was taken off ’they would not pull the vessel off, and this had to be done. It was up to the Board to do something. He J move( 3—That the Marine Department be notified what had been done in the case of furniture belonging to an officer of the Public Works Department. , , , The motion was seconded by Mr. Summei field, who said the stuff comprised two lorry loads,— Motion earned. c . The chairman moved, and Mr Sinclair seconded —-That'Clar© s-nd 'Clare, (Gisborne) be asked to state to the Board all the facts in connection with the Cathkit and the War Lord. Speaking to the motion, Mr Corkill admitted that on one occasion when the vessel was signalled to stand ready for & tow, she was not close at hand, and Richardson and Co. had. to get her out of her difficulties, and it was right they should. The motion was then carried.