INCREASED RECEIPTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 912, 4 March 1930, Page 11

INCREASED RECEIPTS

HARBOUR BOARD RETURNS PROFITABLE FIVE MONTHS Cash receipts received by the Auckland Harbour Board for February amounted to £33,536. This is an increase of £3,780 over the figures for February of last year. For the five months of the financial year which ended on February 28, the board’s receipts have shown an increase of £13,680. The principal increases for the fivemonthly period were as follow: Goods wharfage, £7,281; vehicular tolls, £79; shipping charges, £4,219; crane dues. £3,091; storage on goods, £545; water supply, £575. The receipts for February for the Manukau Harbour amounted to £524, a decrease of £162 over the figures for February last year. The decrease in the five-monthly period which ended on February 28 amounted to £5Bl. On the estimates, the receipts are £14,860 in excess of the proportion for the five months —Waitemata Harbour an excess of £15,231; Manukau Harbour, a deficit of £371. Good progress on reclamation work and the progress of the viaduct was reported by the board’s engineer, Mr. D. Holderness. The work of excavating a channel 300 feet wide and 14 feet deep as an approach to the board’s 600-ton slipway in the St. Mary’s Bay boat harbour was nearing completion. The work would enable the slipway to be available at all times, and at all states of tides. The western slope of the Western Reclamation had been joined up to the North Wall and was completed except for building up the finished level and stone pitching. A considerable portion of the area was now finished up to the required level and would shortly be available for leasing. Work on the eastern section of the viaduct to Freeman’s Bay had been confined to the receipt and spreading of scoria filling, of which 4,024 cubic yards were received, bringing the total to 53,157 cubic yards to date. A further 2,500 cubic yards was all that was required to complete the filling. Water service was completed except for connection with city mains. Rails and sleepers had been received and delivered on to the work ready tor laying when the filling was completed. During the period 20 piles were concreted for the western section, bringing the total to 93. Pile driving commenced on March 30, and 49 piles or 14 per- cent, of the total had been driven. The sandstone in the western section was practically bare and each pile was being driven in a bored hole. Contracts had been let for steel rails, timber, casting's and wire, and delivery of timber for falsework had already commenced. Until the main steel deliveries have come to hand, no great progress can be made on the superstructure, but approximately 1,680 square feet have been erected to date. Work on the new landing and steps for launchmen’s offices, and the alterations and additions to the offices, were well advanced. The new eastern wing was practically completed and the tenants were moving in. Permission had been obtained from the City Council for the building at present oil the eastern tee of the old Hobson Street vehicular ferry to be moved to the south side of .Quay Street, where it will be fitted up for use in conjunction with the 1 launch offices. ________