STEAM TUG SERVICE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4163, 24 July 1874, Page 3

STEAM TUG SERVICE.

TO THIC EDITOR. Sir, — The desirability of establishing a Tug Sendee in Wellington is admitted on all aides. The only difficulty appears to be that of showing how it will pay—or at least be self-sup-porting. Any suggestions that can be offered on the subject call therefore for no apology, and I make the following for what they are worth ; 1. The Tug Service should bo entirely a Government monopoly. 2. By keeping a tug in the harbor, the necessity of the steam launches for communication with the Quarantine Station' and lighthouses by the General Government would be removed, as the tug could do the work better. 3. The tug could remove the immigrants from the various vessels and Quarantine Station to the wharf, or where required, and save hire of other steamers. 4. The outer Pilot should be in charge of the tug, and live on board with the necessary crew of say four men. The pilot station would then not be required, and part of the cost of the service, two or three men, be saved. 5. The Inner Pilot and crew would not be required, as the tug would he used for shifting vessels to and from the wharf, the Harbor Master alone being sufficient to keep the wharf in order ; the Wharfingers’ keep a watchman, who could assist vessels in making fast to the wharf at night. 6. A small extra charge to be made in the pilot dues and light dues on each vessel towed In and out, and also a charge for shifting in the harbor. 7. To pay cost of coal, &c., we thus have the pay saved of two men in the inner service, and two at the Pilot Station, say £SOO per annum ; this, with the extra charges to be made for tonnage, would suffice. 8. The tug should be kept for harbor service, unless required to tug or pilot a vessel in or out. The signal station would give sufficient notice of the Pilot being required outside. There are many ways in which a tug would earn money, but to detail them ■would render this communication of too great length. It appears, however, clear that in private hands it would not pay expenses, but that if a cordial understanding could be arrived at between the General, Provincial, and Municipal Governments, the Tug Service could be established without increasing their present annual outlay for the Pilot and Harbor Services. Each of the authorities are interested, and should contribute proportionately to the outlay. The merchants would contribute largely towards first cost of the tug, but naturally object to make up a certain annual loss if it were in private hands.—l am, &c., Vakgos.