THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9097, 4 July 1888, Page 6

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

[from our own correspondent.]

Thames, Tuesday. A meeting of the Drainage Board was held in the Borough Council Chambers this morning. Present: Messrs. Lennox (chairman), Brodie, Turtle, Comer, McGowan, Frater, and Spratt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the secretary (Mr. D. G. MacDonnell) and confirmed. Water Charges. — Mr. McGowan, on behalf of the committee appointed at last meeting to wait on the Thames County Council re reduction of water charges, explained that they had not fulfilled their mission, inasmuch as the present meeting was held a week earlier than its due date. The Chairman said he had visited the Pump on the previous day, and for the guidance of the committee he would inform them that only half a sluice-head of water was being used per diem instead of a full sluicehead, as they were now being charged for, and he had no doubt but the County Council would be prepared to meet them in a fair spirit. Engineer's Report.Mr. Phillips, the engineer in charge of the Pump, in his monthly report, informed the Board that during the month the Pump had been stopped six days for annual inspection of boilers, and that advantage had been taken of the stoppage to effect several needed repairs to the machinery, which was now working more economically than ever it had before. Tbe consumption of coal for the past month had been 190 tons, and there were now 291 tons 19cwt in stock. In conclusion he advised the Board to purchase two or three lengths of hose and a nozzle for use in case of fire, and also advised that the plant be insured. Authority was granted for the purchase of the hose and nozzle, and a committee appointed to make inquiries re the terms an insurance policy can be effected on the plant for a sum not exceeding £1000. Accounts.— following accounts were passed for payment:—Coal, £138 6s; carting, £20 lis 4d; Price's account, £17 lis; Morrin's, £7 lis 9d; gas, £4 lis; road metal, £2; weighing, 13s 6d ; wages, £81 15s lid ; total, £273 0s 6d.

Allocation of Gold Duty.The secretary read the following letter from the secretary of the Mines Department re proposed allocation of gold duty towards cost of pumping :—" Mines Department, Wellington, June 26. Sir, —I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 18th instant, requesting that steps may be taken for the allocation of the gold duty obtained from within the Thames drainage area towards the cost of maintaining drainage operations. In reply, I am directed by the Hon. the Minister of Mines to state that the question is one for settlement between the borough and the Drainage Board." On the motion of Mr. Spratt the matter was deferred for discussion till next meeting. Change of Motive Power.—Mr. Brodie moved the following resolution in respect to an improvement in the motive power of the pump, " That should it not be the intention of this Board to take advantage of the offer of the Hon. the Minister of Mines to give a sum of money in aid towards erecting a water motor over the Big Pump shaft, will the Board be prepared to substitute the most modern steam appliances in lieu of the present machinery, and also to ask the Minister of Mines whether, in the event of their doing so, he will hand over to the Board the sum of money originally offered." If the Board are prepared to do this he would move that a committee be appointed to inquire into the whole matter, and report at the next meeting of the Board. This was seconded by Mr. McGowan, and supported by all present, the Chairman remarking that a great saving would be effected by the introduction of modern machinery on the present expenditure, which now stood at £4000 per annum. The resolution was carried, and the Thames members, with the addition of Mr. Spratt, appointed a committee to inquire into the matter and report thereupon.