THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 7, 9 January 1895, Page 5

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

The annual meeting of the Thames Drainage Board was hold ab the office of Mr D. G. Macdonnell, Exchange Buildings, this morning, Mr G. S. Kiasling (Chairman) presided. There was a fair attendance of members.

The Secretary, Mr D. G. Macdonnell, read the annual balanco sheet which was as follows : — Receipts : Caah balance as per last balance-sheet, £383 10s lid ; from various companies, £3,620 13 9d ; Thames County Council, £220; Thames Borough Council, £215; May Queen, for extra pumping, £101: coal supplied companies, £174 3s lOd; refund by Mr J. J. Craig, £38 3s Id ; deposits, £75 ; total, £4.826 19. 7d. Expenditure: Coal, £1,799 6s lOd; wages, £1,132 19s lOd: foundry work and ironmongery, £333 2s Id; cartage, >£216 19s 2d; water supply, timber and gas, £123 12a lOd ; board fees and travelling expenses, £193 4s ; salaries, insurance, advertising, etc., £134 19s lid; miscellaneous, £42 2s lid ; deposits .c contracts, £75; deposit iii P.O. Savings Bank/ £75 j total, £4,126 6s 9d ; cr. balance, £700 12s lOd. Liabilities : Deposits on contracts, £75 ; 'sundry, creditors, . £355. Assets: Cash' balance", £700 12s ,10d ;. Queen of Beauty claim, £240; Thames Borough Council, £40;. Thames County Council, £30; Sb. Hippo G.M. Co., £43 6s 3d. Duo for coal supplied to companiesl, £23 3s 6d ; deposits in Jf.O. Savings Bank, £75 : coal on hand, 188 tons 17 cwt, ab 13s, £122 15s : total, £1,274 17s 7d ; cr* balance, £842175.

The report, also read, stated that pumping operations had been carried on as usual during the past twelve months. On the llth May pumping was stopped to make ready for the annual boilor inspection, which took place on the 16th May. Mr Jobson expressed his satisfaction ab the condition of the machinery, bub said bhab the boilers required careful attention or they would have to bo replaced by new ones. During the stoppage the usual Overhaul of the machinery topk place, whon bhe bottom valve of the air pump was found to be in a very bad state. Ib was therefore taken, out and replaced by a new one. In Augusb 1a.6 the exhaust pipo between the steam chest and the cop of the cylinder was found to ba about worn out, and Messrs A. and G. Prico were insbructed to supply a new one, which was placed in position on the 10th of October. The immediate effect of this chango was to cause the engine' to carry a vacuum of 27in oub of a possible 30in, which was the best, the manager said, that had been accomplished since he took charge. Various other alterations and improvements had been effected in the machinery and fittings, and everything wap now in good order and working well. Tbe quantity of coal required for the ensuing 12 months was estimated to be about 2,800 tons, and Nsunguru or Hikurangi coal was recommended as being the most economical. The working .expenses for December were stated to be about £230. Tho monbhly coal statement appended showed a stock in hand, on January,! st, of 188 tons 17cwb.

_bo Chairman, in moving tho adoption of tho reporb, referred to the satisfactory nature of the Board's financial position as shown by the balance-sheet. In comparing it with its predecessor ib would be seen that an increase had taken place in the expenditure. During the year tho most rigid economy had . been exercised, so that there was nothing to fear in thab direction. All the plant was now in capital order, in fact,, better than it had been for a considerable period. Referring to the assets,as shown, he said they would .;baye to : meet an outlay shortly of £iSq- for .new/rope, whichwould of course PeWuceilie bredtt He thought ib wa3 necessary to keep a considerable balance in hand to. meet any sudden demand that might; arise in case of aceiden.. lie had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the reporb and balancesheet. .-

. Mr White asked when ib was expected it would be necessary to have the boilers replaced. ' The Chairman said thab would probably rent withl. Mr Jobson, the inspector of Machinery. If they were called upon to put in new boilers, their balance would go a very short way in meeting the necessary expenditure. Mr Ratford said it would be some considerable time yet before thab would be rendered necessary.

The adoption was^oconded by Mr Comer, and carried unanimously. -

Mr Young was re-electedauclitor for the ensuing year.

A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman for the very able services ho had rendered during the past 12 months.

Mr Kissling suitably responded, thanking the meeting for the vote, and expressing his very great pleasure ab seeing the affairs of the Board in so satisfactory a position.