THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 84, 10 April 1902, Page 2

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

The" Drainage Board met at Thames yesterday. The pumping engineer reported, as result* of careful tests, in favour oi Hikurangi coal, the saving being £2 17/6 per week. The month's expenses were £248 13/9. Balance-sheet.—The financial statement showed that the total reculpts lor the month, including a sum of £10t> 1/1, brought forward from the previous month, had been £350 1/2, and the expenditure £253 15/3, leaving a credit balance of £96 5/11. Liabilities amounted to £489 11/1, and assets £124S 5/11. An Important Question.-The Board having written asking companies regarding the ' number of men likely to be thrown out of work if pumping is_ suspended, received replies,from the Kuru; nu Caledonian, stating 22■ tribute™ would be affected; and the May Queen, 44 tributers The Walotahi Company wrote statins that if the pumping stopped some months would probably elapse before their workings would be affected. The directors suggested that stopping could be avoided (1) By insisting on the overdue contributions being paid; (2) I by the Board taking steps to secure the regular working of all ground within the drainage area; and (3) by approaching the Hon. the Minister for Mines with the view of a less cumbersome and less expensive system being provided for inanaKinK the Board's business, and in Sits connection they would point out that from the Board's last annual accounts it would appear that the expenses outside the actual cost of pumping exceeded £500 for the year. Mr Lennox pointed out-that the year previous to his taking ■ office, when Mr Kissling was chairman, the annual expenses were about £3000 more than at present. The replies showed that the pump was really kept going for the benefit of the tributers in the May Queen Hauraki and Kuranui-Caledonian mines,, and the wagesmen in the Waiotahi Company's mine. The other contributing mines were practically receiving no benefit, but in his opinion it would he detrimental to the interests of the field to stop the pump. He moved, "That no action be taken in regard to the stopping of the'pump, but that operations be continued as at present." Mr Trembath seconded the motion, which was carried. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Gray, it was resolved to obtain judgment against the Thames Hauraki Company for a further sum of £230, which liability had been incurred since the date of the last judgment secured by the Board against the company in question. It wa-s pointed out that this step was necessary in order to protect the Board's interest: On the suggestion of Mr Hesketh, a committee, comprising the Chairman and Messrs Curtis, Macky and Hesketh was appointed to consider the Board's regulations, with a view to effecting certain alterations.