THAMES HARBOUR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4720, 4 July 1924, Page 2

THAMES HARBOUR.

MONTHLY board meeting. r The monthly meeting of the Thuine; Harbour Board was held on Tuesdaj evening last, the following members being present: Messrs R. Coultel (chairman), W. Danby, A. A. Wagstaff, S. J. Laughlin, and E, N, Miller. Tlie engineer, Mr E. F. Adams, and the secretary, Mr V. E. Sanders, were in attendance. Apologies were received from Messrs Dnoaldson, Bruce, Hetherington. and McMiliajn, and they were granted leave of absence. TURUA WHARFINGER. The manager of the Northern Steam Ship Company wrote with reference to the duties of the wharfinger, at Turua, stating that all the company desired was that he should give a receipt for cargo landed from the weekly cargo boat. Tlie secretary reported having interviewed Captain Hammond, whe hail agreed to the present arrangement. FINANCE. A financial institution wrote offering to lend the board money in instalments on debentures with a currency of 36 J /2 years at 5% per cent., the principal to be advanced at par, free of exchange anywhere in New Zealand. The interest and principal would be payable in Australia free oi exchange tot he lenders. The secretary reported having written asking for further particulars in regard to when the money could lie made available, but no reply had yet been received. SURPLUS LOAN MONEYS. The Controller of Post Office Savings Bank wrote in reply to the board's application to open a banking account for the purpose of depositing surplus loan moneys. He slated that this was not permissible, because the money, being liable to call, could not be profitably invested. The authority for this was tlie policy of the bank. ' INSURANCE. The Government Insurance Department wrote asking for the board's accident insurance business. Mr Miller moved that as any of the insurance policies lapsed, fresh policies be taken out with the Government office. The chairman said that this would be a matter of policy, and would require a notice of motion. Mr Donaldson gave the notice of motion MATERIAL FOR SCHEME. i’lie town clerk, Thames, wrote in 1 eply to .the board's application, fol permission to. obtain gravel from tlie impounding area of the Waiotalii and Moanataiari creeks and the right to construct a tramway, stating that the requests had been acceded to subject to the works being carried out to the satisfaction of the borough engineer. PROGRESS REPORT. The board's engineer, Mr E. F. Adams, reported having accepted tenders for tlie supply of hardwood pile’s ior tlu Burke Street wharf renewal and for the supply of timber for the pile-driver. The pile-driver frame was well on the way to completion. A tender had also been accepted for the supply of .a steam winch for the pile-driver. He recommended the purchase of a certain flashlight. It was decided that tenders be called in Thames for the construction oi concrete piles. Considering the extra life of concrete, it was thought that these piles would be preferable to timber piles provided the 'difference in co*t was not excessive. Tiie matter of calling tenders £Ol tlie supply of tramr’ails for use 011 the Burke Street wharf was left m tlie engineer and local committee. Tlie local committee reported on tlie tenders dealt with during the month, as reported upon by the engineer. The committee’s recommendation that an assistant secretary’ be appointed at a salary of £2OO per annum was adopted. KOPU FERRY. R. P. Gibbons, Ltd., Kopu, wrote drawing attention to the dangerous nature of tlie landing steps at the Kopu wharf. It was suggested that a floating stage or pontoon should be placed at tlie wharf wifliout delay, so that passengers could land from tlie launch comfortably at all states of the tide. Tlie chairman said that this was a matter that had previously been before the board, and it had been decided that the matter would be too costly. He moved that the engineer be instructed to repair the steps as cheaply as possible. Seconded by Mr Danby and carried. Mr Laughlin urged that new- steps be fitted, as the present ones were absolutely done. TURUA WHARF. The engineer reported having accepted a tender for the supply ol rough heart of riinu planks for the Turua wharf. The work would be put in hand when tlie timber arrived. Mr Danby asked if the work would be extensive. Mr Adams replied that the whole of the decking required repianking. Mr Danby pointed out that it was the carting of metal that had caused the damage, and this was non-reveuue produi ing. The chairman said that the question had received serious consideration, and by-laws on the matter would probably be submitted to the board shortly. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £290 5s Id on the general "account and £2B 18s 6d on the loan account were passed for payment.