THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9197, 11 May 1893, Page 6

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Thames Drainage Board was held yesterday at the office of Mr. D. G. MacDonnell, New Zealand Insurance Buildings, when thero were present: Messrs. Kissling (in the chair), Porter, McGowan, Comer, Clarke, W. S. Wilson, Sprntb, and H. Paltridge. PUMPING. The Chairman said in regard to the matter of continuing to pump below the 400-foeb level there would be a stoppage on the 15th instant for the boiler inspection. They would theu be able to test the effect on the May Queen ; in the meantime ib had been desired that the pumping should go on. manager's report. Mr. W. H. Phillips' reporb abated that during the past month all the machinery had been working satisfactorily. The water speed was now about four strokes per minute. He had had a small stoppage or two for changing valves and other repairs. Pumping operations must cease on the 15th for the annual boiler inspection. During the stoppage various repairs would be effected. The stock of coal was very short. The weather during the winter months was very uncertain, and ho (Mr. Phillips) would like a larger stock of coal kept on hand. Kamo unscreened coat was the cheapest to burn. The working expenses for the month had been about £198. He was still pumping with the 500 feet lift, which would cause extra labour. The monthly coal statement showed the consumption had been 158 tons, the stock on hand on the Ist May being 30 tons 13cwt. The Chairman said he understood , that since the report was written a cargo of Kamo coal had been received. The difficulty had arisen in consequence of the prevalence of easterly winds. FINANCES. The statement of receipts, expenditure, liabilities, and assets, from Ist April bo Ist May, was as follows :— Receipts. balance as per last statement, £.111 10s 3d ; contributions as per ditto, £374 8s id ; contributions for April, 1803, £311 2s ; received on account Name, £316 Us 8d : total, £618 16s lid. Kxpe.nditurk. — Accounts passed last meeting and since paid, £67 6s 7d ; accounts paid to be passed, £02 16s 3d ; balance, £458 14s Id : total, £618 16s lid. Liabilities.— Deposits, Craig and Rickit, £75; accounts due, £140 15s 8d : total, £-215 15s Bd. Assets.— Cash balance, £458 14s Id; contributions due to 30th April, £339 3s sd ; Saxon Gold Mining Co. (coals and cartage), £516s 2d : total, £303 13s Bd. The Chairman commented upon tho imErovemenb in '• the financial position of the ioard. He, however, noticed that the contributions were nob paid as promptly as when commission was allowed. Ho moved that ten per cent, bo granted to those who paid the May contribution before the end of the month. This was agreed to. Mr. Porter drew attention to the extra expenditure involved through tho employment of a pitman. The Chairman said Mr. Phillips had informed him th*t the pitman would be leaving and that assistance would be gob from bimo to timo as required. He only employed labour whore absolutely necessary.