THAMES HARBOUR BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4747, 5 September 1924, Page 4

THAMES HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The regular meeting of the Thames Harbour Board was held on Tuesday evening, there being present: Messrs R. Coulter (chairman), J. W. Danby, E. N. Miller, D. Donaldson, S. J. Laughlin, E. F. Adams (engineer), and V. E, Sanders (secretary). ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £836 18s 3d on the General Account and £794 4s o’%d on the Loan Account were passed for payment. THE LOAN. The chairman reported on hfo visit to Wellington for the purpose of raising the balance of the loan money. At every financial institution visited no money was available. An offer had previously been received from one man, this this was for the board to discuss. The matter was discussed in committee, and the recommendation adopted was that the tffer be accepted. On behalf of the Thames members of the board Mr E. N. Miller thanked the cnairman for the work he had done in the matter. HARBOUR BOARD CONFERENCE. . The secretary reported briefly on the proceedings of the recent Harbour Boards’ Association Conference. A detailed report would, be forwarded later. He considered that the conference was of great educational value to any local body official) or member. DUNEDIN EXHIBITION. A circular,,letter was received from the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Co., Ltd., Dunedin, asking that the matter of a district court be considered. Mr Donaldson expressed the opinion that, should- any of the ether local bodies in the board’s area take an interest in the proposal the board should give its mor,al and reasonable support. A motion to that effect was carried. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mr E. F. Adams, reported that the timber for the reconstruction of Burke Street wharf was arriving. The tramway was completed. He asked permission to purchase a Fordson locomotive, and the District Engineer of Railways had been asked to ascertain the requirements for the i-ail berthage connection, Subsequently the assistant engineer had visited Thames and inspected the. site, and plans of the railway yard wharf, road, etc., had been forwarded. The construction of concrete piles was proceeding ; satisfactorily, and permission, was asked to call tenders for rolling stock equal to a rake trucks for, 20 cubic yards. He also proposed to send in the orders for the wharf ironwork, and said that the piling hammer, winch, and leaderpiles would have to be put in order to keep pace with the gradually increasing progress of the works. Referring to the general work, the report stated that Shortland wharf repairs were going on steadily. Wearing planks had been laid on the Turua wharf, a good job being made, and the wharf was now ready to take gravel pr metal to any reasonable extent. Favourable comment on the satisfactory progress of the loan work was made by the chairman and' members. In reply to Mr Miller Mr Adams said that the connection by rail with the railway station had not been included in the loan proposal, but it would greatly reduce the cost of the (scheme and would be of permanent benefit. The report was adopted and the recommendations approved. The local committee was given discretionary power to accept tenders for dredging machinery. FOREMAN’S REPORT. The foreman, Mr H. 0. Stone, reporting on the work in hand during the month, mentioned that the landing steps at the Kopu wharf had been stiffened and fitted with rope treads to prevent slipping. The Piako buoy had been replaced and several small snags cleared from Shortland Creek.