HARBOUR BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4596, 10 August 1923, Page 1

HARBOUR BOARD.

monthly meeting. The monthly of the Thames Harbour Board was held on Tuesday last. There were present Messrs R. Coulter (chairmart), A. Bruce, D. G. McMillan, E. N. Miller,. A. A. Wagstaff, J, W. Dan by, and the clerk (Mr N. Gibbs). An apology was received from Mr S. J. Laughlin. CONSOLIDATION BILL. The Harbours Association of N.Z., wrote forwarding a copy of suggested amendments to the Harbours Consolidation Bill which they had decided to submit to the Minister for Marine. BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION. The officer in charge, Department of Industries and Commerce, Auckland, wrote asking t whether the Board’s by-laws permitted exhibits being handled on the wharves free of all charges. It was pointed out by the chairman that no charge was levied on exhibits. RAILS AT KOPU. The N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., Hamilton, wrote accepting the clerk’s offer of £5 for the tram rails at present installed at Kopu. The clerk said that a cheque hal been forwarded. His action was affirmed. BEACON FOR WAIHOU RIVER. J. R. Wharton, for Chance Bros, and Co., Ltd., Lighthouse Engineers, Birmingham, wrote forwarding quotations and specifications for an acetylene beacon. The price delivered at Auckland would be £9l, The chairman said that this was the light suggested to replace the buoy at the mouth of the Waihou River. A second light, would be required at the end of the Borough's sewer. . It was decided to defer the matter till next meeting to enable the Borough Council to be consulted in regard to their light. Tn the meantime the engineer could go into the matter of the cost of installing the lights. PILES. Miller's West Australian Hardwoods Co. wrote quoting ironbark piles 12 inches by 8 inches by 35 feet at 2s 6d per linbal foot. It was decided to purchase 14 piles, as recommended by the engineer. APPRECIATION. The Thames Chamber of Commerce wrote stating that at its annual meeting a .resolution was adopted expressive of the Chamber’s appreciation of the Board’s action in regard to the harbour improvements.—Received. EMPOWERING BILL. The Marine Department, through Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., wrote asking for a clause to be inserted in the Beards Bill setting out exactly how it was intended the £60,000 loan would be -spent. The chairman said that as the Bill was before the Local Bills Committee the matter was urgent.. He, therefore, in comapny with Mr Miller, consulted the Board’s solicitor and had a clause drawn up and forwarded as required. CLAIM FOR DEMURRAGE. The master of . the scow Zingara wrote complaining that as the .schooner Louis Thierault was berthed at the Kopu wharf his vessel had to stand by for several days. The demurrage would be £8 10s a day. The chairman said the schooner was delayed for a few days for repairs. No notification of the arrival of the scow had been received, and the claim could not be entertained. BURKE STREET WHARF. The chairman said that since the last meeting barriers had been erected on the wharfy as agreed upon. These were working satisfactorily, and were making for greater safety of the structure. The secretary reported on the recent tour of inspection by members of the board. After inspecting the wharf the committee set up to deal with the matter decided to have repa'rs done tp the extent of an expenditure of £2OO. The engineer, Mr E. F. Adams, submitted proposals for strengthening the wharf to the amount cf £200.. The chairman said that as a letter ordering material for repairs had gone astray no work had been done. The foreman reported that during recent bad weather a woman had walked over the side of the wharf. The chairman said that a certain light gave the impression that the planking extended farther than it did. He had ordered that a rail be placed at that point. His action was confirmed. KOPU WHARF. The Board’s officer at Kopu reported that the wharf shed required repairs to the north wall. The schooner Louis Thierault, with a cargo of poles for the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, had berthed on July 24. CARGO OF TILES. The Board’s officer at Turua reported that, during the month a vessel carrying about 12,000 tiles berthed at the wharf and discharged 3000. The balance pf the load was landed on the riverbank near Wharepoa. THE AMENDING BILL. The chairman intimated that he intended proceeding to Wellington within the next few days. Should he be required, he could give evidence or supply information to the Local Bills Committee, Mr Miller said that definite authority should be given the chairman to appear before the Local Bills Committee if necessary, and he moved in that direction. The motion was carried.