THAMES HARBOUR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4958, 31 March 1926, Page 4

THAMES HARBOUR.

MONTHLY MEETING.

THE ROUTINE BUSINESS. The Thames Harbour Board held its monthly meeting on Monday evening, members present being Messrp. R. Coulter (chairman), J. W. Dauby, F. Hetherington, E. N. Miller, E. Edwards, A. A. Waggstaff, D G. McMillan, S. Loughlin, H, Lowe, W. J. Brown, V. E. Sanders (secretary), and E. F. Adams (engineer). BALANCE SHEET. The Audit Office returned the balance sheet for the year ending December 31, 1925, certified and correct, subject to the exception tha,t in the matter of giving credit for wharfage dues .the board has failed to take security for the payment ajs' required •by law 1 . In 'explanation the se'eretary said ■that the system had been in vogue for some years without comment by the Audit Department. An alteration in the board’s by-laws was necessary to make the launch and ship owners liable for the dues. It was impossible to deal with the subject by any. other method, as the accounts- averaged 2s. Members commented th,at it wqs very satisfactory to get the balancesheet returned so early in the year. The balance-sheet was) ordered to be printed, together with the several annual reports; . BERTHAGE. i The Northern Steam Ship Co. wrote urging that the berthage at Thames wharf be deepened. If this whs 1 not done the present steadier would have to be withdrawn. The secretary reported that he had written advising that dredging would be undertaken as soon as, possible. DAYLIGHT SAVING. A circular letter Was received from the N.Z. Sports Protection League advocating the adoption of daylight saving. ' ■ , Mr Edwards moved that the idea be supported. Seconded by Mr Brown and carried. INSURANCE. A policy question concerning > the • insurance of the board’s floating plant ■ was brought up by the secretary, who., said that| the subject was a very difficult one. It was. ’for the. board ..to decide whether the dredge should be insured, at; a,, cost, of, about £250 per annum or,whether the board should take the. risk of not insuring. The secretary was instructed to ascertain what other harbour boards were doing. ■ ■ ■. ■; ' . REMOVAL OF STONE. The Thames County Council wrote entering an objection, to the removal of stone by the board from the foreshore of the Coast Road for harbour works,-• on the grounds ■. that the boulders a.cted as a breakwater protecting the council’s road from destruction by erosion. The- council would hold the board liable for any damage occasioned. The chairman tsaid that there was no danger to the road. COAST SURVEY. Tne Harbours’ Association of N.Z. forwarded a resolution urging the Government to have a/ survey of. the coast of New Zealand carried out. The endorsement of the board wag asked. —Agreed to. • SALE OF QUARRY. Trethowen’s, Ltd., Kausteranga, wrote offering to sell their quarry and complete plant to the board. REPORT ON LOAN WORKS. The ‘ board’s engineer, Mr E. F. Adams, reported for the month, inter alia, a ; s follows :— “The approach of the shoreward construction o'f Biirke. Street wharf has, been completed, and the remaining six piles have been driven. The shoreward work can now be proceeded with without delay. ■ Piles for the shoreward tressling of the dredge pipe line are now being driven.. The x embankment and walling are proceeding steadily. The locomotive hasbroken down and horses ,are being used. The launch has been examined and approved by the Marine Department, and registered under the name of “Marlin.” The appointment of an , engineer for the launch is necessary.”

The report wasi adopted, a.nd members congratulated the engineer on the progress made. It was, gratifying to see the dredge working.