TUG OR LAUNCH?

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20451, 1 November 1938, Page 3

TUG OR LAUNCH?

STATUS DEFINED

WORK OF RIVER BOAT. ARBITRATION COURT RULING. [By Telegraph. -Press Association]. AUCKLAND, Nov. 1. Judgment in an appeal from the decision of Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., as to the classification of the boat Rotokohu, which plies on the river between Paeroa and Thames, was issued by the Arbitration Court yesterday. The appeal was brought before the Court by the Auckland Engine Drivers’ Union, which stated the question before the magistrate had been whether the Rotokohu was a tug boat or a launch. The decision had been that it was a launch. This meant that the enginedriver was entitled to £5/5/- a week, whereas if the union’s view was correct, the Rotokohu was a tug boat and the wage should be £5/15/Giving judgment yesterday the Court said the magistrate’s judgment had regard rather to the fact that the Marine Department regarded the Rotokohu as a steam launch and that she was so regarded generally. The Court was of the opinion, however, that for the purpose of the award the real test was supplied by the work the vessel had to do. Unquestionably she was a tug boat within the meaning of the award, and accordingly the appeal was allowed.