AUCKLAND'S DOCK.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 565, 21 July 1909, Page 7

AUCKLAND'S DOCK.

ADMIRALTY SUBSIDY OF £160,000.

(By Telegraph.-Presß Assoclatlon.-Oopjrleht.l, . i - Roc. July 20; 10 p.m.) London, July 20.

Replying in the House of Commons , to Cnp't. Craig, the First' Lord, of the Admiralty, Mr. : M'Kenna,- stated that a sum of '£150,000 would be paid by tho Admiralty to the Auckland Harbour Board, in sums of £5000 annually . for thirty years, as a- sub: sidy ,to" the. dry dock (Calliope Dock), at Auckland,

The subsidy, added Mr.. M'Kenna, was granted in view of getting the .dock properly! equipped; ' The only other subsidised dock was at Colombo.

TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT. With the erection of the new Bheer-leps; at Calliope Dook, ■< according to the Auckland "Herald".tho terms of tho Auckland Harbour Board's agreement with the Admiralty 'have been fulfilled.- Tho agreement, as finally entered into, provides that in consideration of tho >board installing certain equipment;..of which the sheer-legs are a leading feature, the Admiralty "will par to the board an annual subsidy of JESOOO ;for 80 years: Although ' tho payment of tho full, subsidy of iSOOO ■ a year will' not be made by; tho -Admiralty, until the final certificate as to'the completion of tho work Lis giveni;the board has. been'.receiving progress, subsidies for some tune. For a considerable period' during the early' stages of' the 'work the .'payment wiis at.lhe.ratq:Ot:^lsoo:-- , perUnmtmi; 'and latterly;it-has ! .been 'at the-rate of.''isooo'a: year. ■ • The v. total ; payment . 'is' .not !;to, (exceed; >£150,000,. which is equivalent to .£SOOO .a. : y'ear .for.- -30; years.' Th 6 cost;:of ■ the maohihery,. .including .^installation,. is iE100,103. ■' ! ' The. ;sheer-' llegs iand theiiy foundations have' alone cost'. bpwards qf .£50,000. The - value • of, the i dock,: as - taken at .prime cost, 'less depreciation; is shown ,ih; the'■ board's last balance-sheet, as, J!U7,085. ■ ''"The Admiralty (says the "Herald") will'have the right to prionty in tho use of the dock for repairs ■' to"? his Majesty's ; shipsat • any v tiin'fl, subject : to; payment ;by, it of. the cost of labour and; material, only. • At times when the dock Ls not required for the uso of the warships, it may be used by: the board for the docking of ordinary vessels, the fees charged to be such. 'as the board may deem desirable.; It is further, provided that in.the.event of the earnings of the;'dock; exceeding the; working charges,'.accounts shall be rendered. by the board to tho Admiralty, which will ■ then participate in the profits. In this respect the board occupies the unique position of'being partners with the British Admiralty, but it is not suggested that the letter's. monetary receipts; from , this part-; nership aro likely to amount to any very substantial amount.