MISHAP AT WHARF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21049, 7 December 1931, Page 8

MISHAP AT WHARF.

HARBOUR TRAFFIC DELAYED. EARLY MORNING ACCIDENT. As a result of an accident in the operation of the movable flap at the vehicular ferry wharf in Mechanics' Bay early on Saturday morning one of the motors controlling the flap was burned out and the next boat was unable to disembark the traffic it was carrying. The flap, which is electrically controlled and is lowered when a boat has berthed, was suspended at such an angle that it could not be used. When the vehicular ferry from Devonport arrived at about 6.45 it was impossible for the traffic to go ashore, although a number of pedestrians who had travelled by the vehicular ferry had no difficulty in disem barking. Ihe ferry proceeded to the Beaumont Street vehicular wharf, but no one was on duty ther°, as the first ferry from Northcote does not usually arrive until after 7.15. The control switch for tlio flap is contained-in a small case near the end of the runway on the wharf, and, ji3 no key was available, it was necessary to force the case before the flap cPuld ba operated. Repairs were put in hand at the Mechanics' Bay wharf as soon as possible, the flap being worked by hand while a spare motor was being installed. The vehicular ferry which left Devonport at nine o'clock was able to use the flap in the ordinary manner, although some of tho earlier traffic both ways was diverted to Beaumont Street. In spite of tho accident, 110 trips were missed. 9 Traffic was not particularly heavy while the flap was out of action.