FERRY SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 22067, 14 July 1933, Page 9

FERRY SERVICE

STEWART ISLAND GRIEVANCE. PRESENT AGREEMENT EXTENDED. (From Our Correspondent.) The Stewart Island County Council met Captain Hamilton on Wednesday evening, July 5, for the purpose of discussing some aspects of the ferry service. The following were also present by invitation: Mrs R. J. Hamilton, Messrs R. C. Hicks, F. H. W. Traill, J. Sloan and C. Smith. Messrs Sloan and Smith were representing the Progressive League. Mr Thomas Widdowson, chairman of the County Council, was in the chair. He explained that the meeting had been called to state that there was dissatisfaction with the service rendered by the Tamatea. The grievances were: (1) When the Tamatea was laid up for repairs or any other reason it was expected that a boat equal to her be put bn the run. (2) Cargo at such times was not to be held up until the Tamatea was again available. (3) The service was to be run on Wednesday, if possible,—running Thursday was all right when the weather was bad. Sailing “weather and other circumstances permitting” was not good enough, said Mr Widdowson, and he suggested that “other circumstances” be cut out of the next mail contract. Captain Hamilton explained that the errr.Xic running lately was due to a scries of unfortunate events. First, he had been held up at the muttonbird islands, due to the bad weather; secondly, he had been held up on the Bluff Harbour Board’s slip owing to the unexpected breaking of the winch; and thirdly, he had had a very serious illness. He also stated that he was more or less compelled to undertake the carriage of the muttonbirders as the ferry service at the present time was not enough to ■ make it a paying proposition. With regard to his putting the Britannia on the run while the Tamatea was away, he explained that at the meeting held a year ago to draw up the present agreement both the Britannia and the Rakiura were discussed and approved of by the members present. The Wetere, he said, was laid up in Bluff harbour and no other boat was available. The chairman stated that several different consignments of cargo had been held up at Bluff and he considered it was very unfair. Councillor Jensen said that as far as he was concerned the hold-up did not cause him any hardship. Councillor Bragg stated that he was caused inconvenience over his kerosene being held up, but when he rang up Mrs Hamilton he had got a certain amount of satisfaction as she had been able to get him enough to carry him over. The next question considered was the Tunning on Thursdays instead of Wednesday. It was stated that when the steamer did not come till Thursday it caused hardship to the people living at a distance. Some had to walk five or six miles for nothing.

Captain Hamilton explained that the Thursday running was mostly due to the weather, and that he did not do it purposely. He always advised Halfmoon Bay when he was not coming on a Wednesday. Mr Bragg said that according to the clause stating that if either party had a grievance they were to advise the other, the council should have written to Captain Hamilton about these complaints. Mr Sloan said he thought Captain Hamilton had kept to his agreement fairly well. There was a class of people on the island who were never satisfied. They complained when the Harbour Board had the service and after the first few months they complained □bout Captain Hamilton. He considered that even if the Niagara were running the service they would still be dissatisfied.

At this stage a disagreement arose over the purpose of the meeting. The chairman maintained that it was to consider complaints only, as decided on at the last meeting of the council. Councillor Robertson confirmed this opinion, but Councillors Bragg, Hansen, Jensen and Traill said the council decided to hold the meeting to discuss the ferry service in general as well as complaints. The clerk's letter to Captain Hamilton inviting him to attend, said “to discuss the ferry service for next season.” An animated discussion on the subject followed, the majority being in favour of discussing the extension of the present agreement, which expires on July 14. It was then suggested that the extension was a matter between the council and Captain Hamilton, and that thc “outsiders” should withdraw.

A motion was seconded that the meeting discuss the extension of the old agreement. An amendment was moved and seconded that the meeting should not discuss the extension. Before either motion or amendment was put to the meeting a general discussion was again carried on until Mr Bragg drew the chairman’s attention .to the matter. On the amendment being put to the meeting, three voted for it and the chairman declared the motion carried. It was again suggested that outsiders withdraw and let the council deal with Captain Hamilton over the matter, and the previous motion wa? withdrawn. A suggestion was made that when the council had finished discussing the matter with Captain Hamilton it should ratify at its next meeting any proposals agreed upon, and then put them before the public. Captain Hamilton proposed that they carry on as at present for a further six weeks until Mr A. S. Russell returned from his holiday. He was present at the last meeting and helped to draw up the agreement and would be a great help in the present situation. The proposal received little support and a suggestion was made that they should carry on with the consideration of the agreement then and there, as there were some present who had given a great deal of help at the first meeting and there seemed to be no use in waiting for Mr Russell. The chairman remarked that if the majority wanted the agreement extended there was no more to be said. They would all have to admit that they were satisfied with things as they are. After further discussion it was finally decided to extend the present agreement until December 31, and if either party wished to terminate it they are to give 30 days’ notice. Captain Hamilton said he wished to place on record his appreciation of Mr Oswald’s services as wharfinger. He said he had always found him obliging and always willing to help. The chairman said he was pleased to accept such appreciation, and stated that Mr Oswald had a difficult job to fulfil, and often received a good deal of heckling.