NAPIER NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2334, 16 December 1914, Page 7

NAPIER NOTES.

Tho Hastings Belgian Christmas Shilling Fund now totals £139. At yesterday's Napier Harbour Board meeting' the chairman favourably commentfcu on the board's satisfactory financial position, which showed an average increase in wharfages for tho past eleven months of £400 por month. The chairman said he intended to recommend the Tariff Committee, to substantially reduce the wharfage on sugar, flour, and other similar wilh a view to ultimately making Napier practically a free port. Tho water in the Napier roservoirs Is decreasing, and it is prolmble'that drastic steps will shortly have to be taken to prevent wastage. At the recent fire tho pressure was for some time insufficient to enable the water to roach the top of a telephone polo which had caught alight. Tho Harbour Board's dredge Walkaka, with which the East Const railway embankment is to bo built, ivill be ready for work early in January, when trials will he conducted. Arrangements have been made to erect bright accumulating lights on Auckland Rock o and West Pier, which will greatly increase the safety of ships navigating the entrance to the breakwater and inner harbour. Pupils of the Maraekakelio School recently held a baskot social, and have now donated the proceeds, £24 11s. Id., to tho Belgian Relief Fund.