THAMES NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 22

THAMES NEWS.

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS. DREDGING TO COMMENCE. POST OFFICE PLANS COMPLETED. (From Oar Own Correspondent) THAMES, Wednesday. Having ceased dredging operations of the Thames harbour about eighteen months ago, the Thames Harbour Board is now considering proposals for recommencing the dredging of the channel at the Burke Street wharf. A committee recommended that an electrically-driven suction pump be installed at the end of the wharf to deal with the slurry, and, as the board has most of the plant, it is intended to invite the two local engineering firms to submit prices for the installation of the pump, the price to include the running of the plant for a stated period. Should the proposal prove successful, the board will then go

into wavs and means of dealing with the removal of the hard sandbanks and estaL)lUhins a berthage free ot consolidated siltation. Later the board intends to dismantle the balance ot the old portion ot the wharf, which will provide room tor a swinging basin at the end of the new wharf, enabling vessels on leaving the wharf to go out bow first, instead Oi astern as at presentAs the work is urgently necessary the board intends to lose no time in commencing operations. Resident Fields Officer. For some years the Thames district had a field officer stationed at Thames, but his headquarters have recently been removed to Euakura. Waikato. While at lhames the officer gave excellent service, greatly to the benefit of many settlers and the district as a whole. The Thames Chamoer o f Commerce, recognising the advantages of such an officer, has entered a strong protest to the Agricultural Department against his removal, and proposes to press for his reinstatement. As this district is still in a developmental stage the services of a competent fields officer is of paramount importance. New Post Office. In reference to the erection of a new post office at Thames, promised by the Government some time ago, the i ost-master-General has informed the Chamber

of Commerce, through Mr. A. M. Samuel, M P. that plans for the building are Ivmg completed, and it is expected that- tenders will be called before the end of the J ear. The financial provision for the omlding will be made in this year's Estimates. Early last year a committee was lormed to conduct a carnival to raise funds for the purchase of the Waiomo flat as a public seaside resort. The efforts ot the committee were successful, and at the final meeting this week it was show n that the receipts totalled £1090. and the expenses, including purchase of land were £1068, leaving a balance of £ — ■ The committee decided tp disband and hand the balance to Mr. \\ . H. Hoult. secretary of the Reserve Committee. During the summer months the park is visited by hundreds of people. Fire Prevention. A number of improvements have lately been made to the equipment of the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade, making the brigade equal in efficiency to any of its size in the Dominion. A new spring opening door, designed by Superintendent L. Alexander, has been installed, enabling the fireman on duty, when he receives the alarm, to throw open all the large :ront doors of the station in one motion, io tnat the fire engine can get a flying start. A large searchlight has been installed on .No. 1 engine. The rays of light can be directed in any direction. Other improvements

consist of a chain ladder for on the roofs of burning buildings, and a con [„l Bozzle designed by Supermtendert Alexander, so thst the volume o£ «at_r can be lessened to prevent undue damage to contents of buildings. and gramophone combined has ten Sailed, which, with card tonrnama.ts and games, caters well for the social sia of the institution. Relief of Distress. Si^Th^° f .ir™^edth g a house-to-house visitation oe n " de the collection of clothing, Pr°duce .aal, and donations on Saturday next. and the following committee to undertake the work:-Mesdames S-iaiwr and Langford, Miss Smith Messrs r. Jensen, L. Alexander, J. W. .Danbj, nri ' Ensor, Father Dknan, B. D. Chapman, with the Rev. A. Fear as secretary. A rare capture was made the other (lay by fishermen of a medium-sized sh * r V *' j l . peculiar markings, which has been jdenti fied as a tiger shark This is only the second time that such a shark has, .been known to exist in these waters, pre vious capture being made by Captain Mitchell, in 1929, near Red Mercury Island.