THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12068, 11 September 1902, Page 6

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

THE usual meeting of the Thames Drainage Board was held in the office of the secretary (Mr. .T. W. Nichol), Victoria Arcade, yesterday. Mr. J. if. Lennox presided, and there were also present, Messrs. .T. if. Gray, S. Paul!. W. D. Mitchell, H. Green, 'J'. A. Dunloi), S. U. Macky, and S. Hesketh. Finance: The monthly financial statement showed total receipts of £3£B !is 3d and expenditure £206 9s 7d, leaving a. credit balance of £161 15s Sd. Assets (including unpaid contributions, £1191 18a 4d) showed a balance of £901 4« 6d over liabilities. Report: The manager's report stated that working expenses for the month bad been £253 lis 7d. Coal consumption had been 204 ton*. Drainage Area: The committee of Thames members set up for the purpose reported that having considered the drainage area they concluded that no alteration could be made on it as at present constituted, but suggested that all claims held within the area should be rated. Air. Green moved, "That the report bo referred back to the committee to specify the claims within the drainage uvea that are not rated but are ratable." Mr. Macky seconded. The Chairman thought the Board had no power to make'fresh assessments, bringing in ground never assessed before. Mr. Green admitted they could not increase the drainage area, but there was a case of a clerical error -whereby a claim within the drainage area had escaped assessment. After some discussion the motion was carried.

Thames Hauraki Contributions: Messrs. Wilier and Son wrote asking the Board to take no steps at present, to recover the arrears of contributions due from. the Thames Hauraki Company. Tho writers stated that the present position of negotiations at. Home was more favourable, and that now there was a greater probability of sufficient money being raissd to pay off all the Thames Hauraki Company's liabilities, and to recommence work at, the property. They gave an extract from a letter from the Official Receiver which stated that on the arrival in London of Mr. 0. A. Harris a purchaser might be induced to come forward and take over tho Thames Hauraki. They urged the Board, therefore, not, to interfere at this critical htage of the negotiation*. The Chairman said there was a'ways something beautifully courteous and pleasant about Mr. Miller's letters. The only fault lie could find with them was that there was no money with them, lie thought, however, the Board should wait another month, and moved in that direction. Mr. Hesketh pointed out thai -Mr. Harris was now in London, and lie was convinced that gentleman would leave no stone unturned to bring the negotiations to a successful issue. He had received on September 2 a cable from Mr. Harris stating that the negotiations he was encaged upon (including: the Thames Hauraki) promised to end satisfactorily. There was. therefore, the best, possible reason to let. matters stand. As long as there was a probability of the Thames being saved from the removal of the Thames Hanraki machinery he would favour waiting for the company's arrears twelve months if necessary. As a shareholder in that company, and afterwards in the Standard Exploration Company, he had received a prospectus of the new Standard Company, which was to take over all the Exploration Company's properties with the exception of the Thames Hauraki, and this undoubtedly left Mr. Harris in a better position to work. He would be very much surprised if they did not hear from Mr. Harris before next meeting. It was decided to grant the reouest of Messrs. Miller and Sons, Mr. Green dissenting. Pancakes may be made of splendid quality without a single egg, / Tucker's egg powder will do it: lias 6d,