RIVER LIMITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13287, 20 September 1906, Page 5

RIVER LIMITS.

INSPECTION OF VESSELS. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] I Wellington, Wednesday. i Tin: matter of the closer inspection of ' vessels trading in river limits was raised j in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr. Toole, who asked the Minisi ter for Marine whether ho would arrange ! for such closer inspection in order to reduce the existiug danger to life and property to a minimum. The Minister for Marine (Mr. Millar) replied as follows:-—All steamers trading in river limits are inspected annually by the surveyors in the same way as sea.-going steamers,* and the inspection includes the examination of the hull, machinery, lifesaving appliances, and other equipments. The superintendents of mercantile marine also pay surprise visits now and again to s-eo that the life-saving appliances and other deck equipments are . in proper condition. Oil engine vessels under live tons register are exempt by law from survey, but those of five tons and upwards are inspected in the same way as steamer?. Sailing vessels are not subject to compulsory survey, and there are not many of them plying within river limits only. The surveyors of ships, under the Inspection of Machinery Department, are all men of sea experience, and have instructions to carry out the inspection required by the regulations in the strictest possible manner." Mr. Poole said that the best possible supervision in connection with the coastal vessels was absolutely necessary. During the last few months there had been an appalling loss of life in connection with this class of craft. Vessels, some of them well equipped, had gone to sea, and owing ; to adverse circumstances had been wrecked, and .-their crews lost to a man. The lato inquiry at Auckland proved that the oversight over these vessels had been in some cases unsatisfactory. He did not wish to harass people who were interested in this class of trade, but there was an evident necessity for an increase in the staff at present available for inspecting vessels trading inside river limits. Captain Flemming. superintendent of mercantile marine at Auckland, was well fitted for that position, but the work Was growing, and the demands upon his time prevented him from giving the question of inspection the fullest attention. He (Mr. Poole) was glad that the Minister for Marine was giving this matter his special attention. People were frequently exposed to as much danger in 9ft of water as in 90ft, arid the fact that hundreds and thousands of men were employed on the boats round about the Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour rendered it necessary that the vessels should be carefully watched in order that the risk to life might be reduced to a minimum. Extra alertness was necessary on the part of some officials, and perhaps in Auckland there was a lack of youthful enthusiasm in regard to these matters. He hoped for better days, when the. Minister for Marine would be able to get from one end of the colony to the other, and set these matters right.

>fr. Millar endorsed Mr. Poole's reference to the capabilities of Captain Flemming, bub the increase of work caused by examinations had, he said, prevented that officer from giving the work his closest attention. Hitherto the Customs had done a large portion of the work, but ho promised that as the; work increased extra a?«ist,r auce would be given. Nothing would bo wanting on his part to tee that propel attention was given to the protection of life, but at the same time he wished to satisfy himself that the assistance referred to was necessary before he asked the House to grant it. The matter would be dealt with before long in a manner that he hoped would be satisfactory.