Thames Harbor Board.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4601, 3 October 1883, Page 2

Thames Harbor Board.

The usual meeting was held yesterday afternoon. Present: The Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Bagnall, Bull, McGowan, Bead, and Wilson.—The Marine depart" ment directed that owing to the recent Harbor accident, all boats under the management of Harbor Boards, should be provided with life belts. It was resolved to state in reply that the Board's impecuniosity prevented them purchasing belts, but should the Government provide them, the Board would look after them. —The Shortland Cawmill manager wrote that the snags in tbe Kauaeranga channel are not the property of the Company, and all their logs were distinguished by the Co.'s brand. It was resolved to consult the Board's solicitor, and leave the matter to the Chairman.

The Harbormaster reported inter alia : —"Work at the Goods Wharf last month has been confined to carrying on the silt works wall, which is still iv progress. Price Bros, applied for leave to lay down a mooring to the southward of the wharf to haul their steamer Despatch off to in bad weather A new set of steps has been erected at Curtis's wharf, as they were urgently required, at a cost of £5. A buoy has been placed at the sandspit, mouth of the Thames River, in lieu of the beacon which has been lost. The contractors for the new portion of Shortland Wharf are making fair progress, and it should be completed this month. Sheet piling to a depth of 12 feet has been carried down the whole length, and the contractors are now putting the end on the wharf. I would suggest your consideration of the dredge, as that class of machinery deteriorates grf atly when not in use. —T. C; Batldon."—The Chairman suggested that the dredge should be utilised in the improvement of Shortland channel if it could be employed without the, punts.— This was left to the Dredge Committee, who were authorised to negotiate for the sale of the property if necessary. Accounts for £105 were authorised for payment. The secretary stat d that the overdraft amount 1 to £885.

On the new bye-law again coming up for consideration, Mr Bagnall thought that the up-river mills might be required to pay import charges, and maintain their wharves, in consideration of which they should be exempted from export charges. —Mr Re^d thought the present excessive charges would be detrimental to the port, the steamers trading from Auckland to the Upper Country being able to compete at an advantage with local vessels, and thus reducing the Board's revenue.—The Secretary said that no alteration in the bye-law could be made until next meeting.—The Chairman said that in Auckland the timber companies though owning private wharves, were obliged to pay charges upon timber passing over them, although the Harbour Board had never expended a penny upon them. After some discussion the meeting closed without taking any steps in the matter.