THE FERRY SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8261, 25 October 1912, Page 1

THE FERRY SERVICE

NEGOTIATIONS TERMINATED EASTBOURNE COUNCIL WILL TRY ELSEWHERE. Tfie Eastbourne Borough Council, at a special meeting held yesterday, decided to have no further negotiations with tho Ferry Company in regard to tho purchase of the steamers Duchess and Cobar. There were present the Mayor (Mr H. Shortt). Councillors Button, Organ, Ross, Russell, Pilcher, and Wills.

Tiie Mayor explained that the meeting had been called for the purpose of contailloring tho recommendations of 'the committee of the council in regard to ceasing negotiations with the Ferry Com pany regarding tho purchase of vessels. At a meeting of the council in committee it had been decided to recommend that the negotiations bo abandoned and that a subcommittee bo set up to consider other means of obtaining a boat.

HISTORY OP THE CASE. Councillor Organ moved— That the council abandon negotiations with tho lorry Company ana appoint a suboommittoe to go into the question of acquiring a new boat, and that such sub-committee have authority to cable to Councillor Haroourt in London for information and, if necossary, to enlist the services of the High Commissioner for New Zealand.

Ho said they might remove some of the misconceptions that existed, without committing any breach of faith. There had always been a certain amount of tug-of-war between the residents and the Terry Company. . The residents wanted tho best service they could get and the company, not being exactly a philanthropic institution, naturally gave au little as they couid for tho money. At tho beginning of the present year the company raised tho fares all round somO 25 or 30 per cent. Tne council attempted to mend matters but with no immediate result. Tho ultimate result was on offer by the chairman of directors of tho Terry Company to sell the Duchess, Awaroa, and Co bar at a certain price. That offer was declined. On May 28th of this year the company offered the Duchess and Cobar to the council for Jilt.ooo. He thought by that time the council recognised that it was necessary to do something in regard to the ferry service. A sub-committee was appointed .to go into tho matter, it,having been decided that it was tun©, to muni-ei pa liso the service. Since May tho negotiations for tho two boats had been prolonged. The council, in addition to ordinary meetings, had held about thirty committee meetings, had had numerous meetings with the directors of tho company and had dealt with reams of correspondence. The agreement had been drafted, re-drafted a|nd altered about half-a-dozen times. The agreement provided, inter alia, that' the Terry Company should go out of tho passenger business, that persons travelling by tbe boats should have access to the company's grounds at Day's Bay at a moderate charge, and that the council should provide a service not inferior to that which had been provided by tht company during tho past twelve months. One of tho conditions ho clearly understood was that the company should give a letter indicating that the words "not inferior to" wore not to be read as restricting the right of tho council to reasonably revise the service. The Council was so confident that a final agree moat had been reached that they ap pointed sub-committees to arrange do tails. It was a matter of considerable disappointment to them when the coni pany cancelled the agreement.. The council had been very patient in the matter of these negotiations, but had considered the last • letter the limit, of their patience. They considered it impossible to take over a service, leaving to the company to say how that service should be run. It was said the company expected to reopen negotiations with tho council later on. He had not been willing to indulge in a new ferry boat at once. His impression was .that in six or seven years there would be such developments in ferries that it would be advisable to wait. If these negotiations were taken up later* the council would still be in the worst position and be obliged to concede point after point. Ho believed now it would be possible for the council to run a ferry service with on© new boat. Councillor Haroourt. who was at present in London, would be able to obtain much information that would be of use to thegn. NO DICTATION. Councillor Pilcher, in seconding the inotion, said they could not have a ferry service and have the Ferry Company dictate to them. Every time they had got what seemed a perfect agreement they -were asked by the company to accept further alterations. It was the people of Bona Bay that the council wonted to look after.NO FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS.

The Mayor said that in the event of the motion being carried they should make it quite plain that they would require no further negotiations from the company, that they did not intend for one minute to buy either of the boats in one or two or three months’ time, and that the decision of the council should be final in remind to taking the steps suggested by Councillor Organ's motion. They had used every effort to bring this agreement to a satisfactory conclusion. Inquiry should now bo made at Home anrf in New Zealand in regard to the purchasing of a boat. “Wo have travelled a long lane and have found a brick wall at the end of it," said Councillor Boas in supporting the motion. The motion, which was generally supported, was carried unanimously. The following were constituted the sub-committee: —The Mayor, Councillors Button, Pilcher, and Organ.