Harbour Board Items

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 541, 19 December 1928, Page 18

Harbour Board Items

During the month of November, 664 vessels, of a total of 351,917 gross tons, and 213,148 net tons, entered the Port of Auckland, according to figures submitted at yesterday’s meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board. As compared with the corresponding period for last year, the merchant shipping showed a decrease of five vessels, with an increase of 1,791 gross tons, but a decrease of 3,772 net tons. The local coastal vessels’ returns show a decrease of 25 vessels, of 8,941 gross tons and 8,902 net tons. A letter was received from the Auckland Automobile Association asking for permission to erect signs at various points on the Auckland waterfront and at Devonport. The chairman suggested that the necessary signposts regarding vehicular traffic be erected on the waterfront by the board itself. It was agreed that the matter be left in the hands of the chairman and traffic manager, with power to act. The Shell Company of New Zealand wrote asking to be supplied with information as to when work on the viaduct to Freeman’s Bay would be put in hand; also the approximate time of completion, and time of completion of western reclamation. The chairman said lie thought the work would be put in hand in from two to two and a-half years. The application was referred to the board in committee. The New Zealand Power-boat Association wrote asking the board to lay down a permanent course for speed boat races inside Hobson Bay. The harbourmaster stated that the area suggested was inside the railway embankment, and that an excellent mile course could be obtained. The request was granted. The usual donation of £5 5s to the Local Bodies’ Labourers’ Union picnic fund was made. Permission was granted the Birkenhead Borough Council to erect a dressing shed for bathers on the eastern end of the waterfront reserve, in a lino with the present boat lockers, tenancy to be terminable by six months’ notice.