THE FERRY STEAMERS.

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 40, 22 June 1907, Page 2

THE FERRY STEAMERS.

An Independent and Satisfactory Inspection.

FOLLOWING closely upon the abandonment of the paddla steamer Te Aroha at sea, there was a carefully planned and systema-tically-pursued agitation amongst certain sections of the community that are known to be hostile to the Devonport Ferry Company, in the hope of causing some of the vessels of the ferry fleet to be condemned as unseawortby. The Northcote malcontents, who are now facetiously known as the worms that turned, seized upon the casualty as a farther example of the shocking condition of the ferry fleet, and, pursuing their vendetta with characteristic malignance, succeeded to some extent in enlisting the sympathy of the Hon. E. Mitchelson, Chairman of the Harbour Board. Mr Mitchelson is so good-natured that he agrees and sympathises with everyone who has a plausible tale to tell. ••• !•• efi

Then the Labour unions, with the indefatigable Mr Kneen to point the way, also joined in the attack on ,the Ferry Company. The Hon. J. A. Millar, the Minister for Labour, was appealed to. It was represented, though probably in less direct terms, that only two of the ferry steamers, both of which were recently launched, were capable of crossing the harbour safely with passengers. The disquieting nature of such an allegation to

ferry passengers is easy to imagine, and recognising that the assertions made alt-o indirectly involved an accusation of neglect against Mr Wetherilt, the Government inspecting officer, the Minister very properly resolved that an independent inspection should be made by Mr Duncan, Chief Surveyor of Ships. It could not be suggested that he was biassed or influenced by any local conditions, and being an unimpftachable authority, his report would settle the controversy concerning the seaworthiness or otherwise of the ferry fleet once for all.

The inspection by Mr Duncan has been made. It was of a most searching and exhaustive character. Mr Duncan has also made his report. It is a complete answer to the malignant misrepresentations of the Northcote worms that turned and the Labour agitators, and a sufficient and convincing vindication of the carefulness and eißciency with which Mr Wether - ilt has carried out his duties oi inspector. After the most severe tests, Mr Duncan has reported most favourably on the s.s. Akaroa, s.s. Durham, p.s. Eagle, p.s. (Jsprey, p.s. Takapuna, p.p. Britannia, and s.s. Young Bungaree. Other essential tests were made in connection with the machinery of the other and newer vessels and proved most satisfactory.

It is scarcely necessary to say that the Devonport Ferry Company comes out of the inspection ordeal with all colours flying. The management, with due regard to safety end efficiency, had kept its vessels in a thorough state of repair, and was therefore in a position to welcome tbe most rigid tests. At tbe same time, the Duncan report demonstrates very clearly the satisfactory fact, which was never doubted by most people, that the duties of careful and systematic inspection are carried out faithfully and conscientiously by Mr Wetherilt, who is the most competent inspector that this port has yet seen. The report of Mr Duncan conveys its own lessons. It is easy to start and pursue a hostile agitation against any local company in a community where so many interests may be served by such a movement, but it is not so easy to establish tbe vindictive allegations when they are submitted to the test of careful enquiry. The Northcote worms and their allies, the Labour agitators, have some reason this week to hide their diminished heads.