IDLE FERRIES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1932, Page 9

IDLE FERRIES

VICTIMS OF PROGRESS. PROBLEM AT SYDNEY. A. difficult problem of disposing of the 16 ferries, whose usefulness ended with the opening of the Sydney harbour bridge, confronts Sydney Ferries, Ltd., especially since the auction sale practically fell through. One of the most novel solutions- offered by a shipping man was that the larger vessels should be turned into flats, the ships remaining at moorings as houseboats.

The Harbour Trust, however, is careful about granting a license for moorings, and while the fee is nominal, ranging from 2s to 10s, local residents are apt to object to houseboats. Such flats would not be authorised at any of the more convenient bays. It is claimed that ferries have not been built on cargo-carrying, lines, and the fact that they arc double-enders is really a disadvantage. Sydney harbour was one of the few smooth-water runs in the world where thousands of people had to be transported daily. Consequently the prospect of the smaller ferries obtaining suitable employment, perhaps in the East, appears a little brighter than the big Koompartoo and the Kuttabul. Looking nearer home, it is doubtful if any of the vessels could find profitable trade on the Hawkesbury River. A crew of master, engineer, fireman and deckhand would be required, the aggregate wages amounting to over £2O a week, and this, together with working costs, would require more traffic than is at present available. It is conceded among shipping men that Sydney Ferries have left few, if any, avenues on the harbour which could be engaged in at profit, so far as the carriage of passengers or vehicles is concerned.