THAMES HARBOUR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4582, 4 July 1923, Page 2

THAMES HARBOUR.

MEETING OF BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Thames Harbour Board was held at Thames yesterday evening, the chairman, Mr R. Coulter, presiding. There were present: Messrs A. A. Wagstaff, J. W. Danby, E. N. Miller, D. Donaldson, S. J. Laughlin, D. GMcMillan, and the clerk, Mr N. Gibbs. Apologies were received from Messrs A. Bruce and Hetherington. TIME SWITCHES. Tne Thames Valley Electric Power Board wrote offering to supply time switches for the lights on the Turua and Kopu wharves at £lO each, and also that they would install the lights a,s soon as possible. It was decided that the Power Board be asked to install the time switches subject to the approval of the Board, who would visit and inspect on the following day. OFFER OF LOAN. A Wellington firm wrote offering tolend the Board £60,000 and asking for particulars.—Received. AMENDING BILL. The chairman reported that the Board’s solicitor had drawn up an amended Bill, as instructed by the Board, and the Bill had been advertised as required by statute. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., wrote offering to take charge of the Board's amending Bill. On the motion of Mr Coulter, seconded by Mr Danby, it was decided to leave the Bill in the hands of Mr Rhodes. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, following instructions from the Board, reported at length on the condition of Burke Street wharf. He, advised that the structure was not worth repairing. The cost would be £5OOO for piles alone. He suggested certain repairs costing £1690. He also suggested that the more obvious weak points be strengthened to'make the wharf safe until the new wharf was built. The chairman said it was imperative that something be done at once. Members would see the structure on the following day. He moved that the engineer’s suggestion that, the more obvious weak points be strengthened be approved and the work be put in hand right away. Members agreed that something should be done to make the wharf safe. The motion was seconded by Mr Donaldson and carried. The chairman said that in the meantime something must be done to prevent serious accidents. He moved that two barriers be procured and erected on the wharf when a vessel was berthing to keep vehicles and pedestrians from the end of the wharf. He explained that an accident might occur if the steamer bumped the wharf very hard.. It would be in the interest, of safety to keep people away from 'the end of the wharf while the boat was berthing. Mr Miller seconded the motion, but contended that the position was not as bad as it might sound. However, it was well to be on the safe side. Mr Donaldson asked what were the by-laws concerning traffic on the wharf. Mr Coulter said that pedestrians would be allowed alongside the steamer as soon as it was berthed. The motion was carried. The secretary reported, that there was no concerning the speed of vehicles on the wharf. The x chairman moved that no vehicle be driven on the wharf at a greater rate than four miles an hour on the wooden portion. The motipn was seconded by Mr Wagstaff and carried. The chairman - said that the bylaw in regard to weight was a dead letter. The by-law stipulated that no weight greater than 1% tons on each pair of wheels may be moved on the wharf. Mr Miller moved that those members visiting the wharf on the next dav be a committee to confer, with the engineer regarding the weight of loads. This was seconded by Mr Wagstaff and carried. Further consideration of the engineer’s report was deferred. It was decided that members should visit the Shortland, Kopu, Burke Street, and Tararu wharves on the following day. RATS AT TURUA. Mr D. G. McMillan said that, com-, plaints had been made about the number of rat,s in the Turua wharf. Cheese was being destroyed. It was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the secretary, with power to act.