THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13077, 17 January 1906, Page 6

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

DEEPER DRAINAGE PROPOSALS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Thames, Tuesday. Tin. annual meeting of the Thames Drainage Board was held at the Thames Borough Chambers this morning, the Hon. K. Mitchelson in the chair. Messrs. A. Burns, R. Mitchelson, H. Green, W. Gorrie. S. Hesketh, G. Comer, and T. A. Dunlop, were also present. The annual report and balance-sheet were laid on the table and considered.

The Chairman moved the adoption of the report. He stated that the result of the year's operations had been on the whole satisfactory, and proved that the Board had done a wise thing in closing down the old big pump, and taking over and working the Hauraki pump. Although a certain amount of difficulty had been experienced in getting that plant in working order, which had entailed extra expense, still ho was happy to say that this difficulty had now been overcome, and the machinery was in good working order, doiug the work required smoothly and well, and also economically as the figures in the balance-sheet would show. He pointed out that although the expenses for the year were m excess of the income, it was only in a small degree, and in view of the extra expense the Board had been put to in getting the pumps in working order, he thought it was reasonable to expect the Government to forego the item of rent for the year, in which case there would be no need to make any extra levy on .the companies. Reference was also made to the new scheme for draining the mines to a deeper level, a;>(.l for the consideration of which a suo'-committee had been appointed, but so far nothing in the shape ot a definite plan or scheme had been formulated further than that proposed some time ago by Mr. Geo. Comer, and which had been discussed in the papers. The main difficulty at present, however, was the matter of arrangement between the various companies, and to provide the necessary funds.

Mr. H. Green, in seconding the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, spoke fully on the matter of deeper drainage, and explained that the reason why no definite scheme was ready to lay before the Board was on account of the holidays having prevented the sub-committee conferring. He thought that of the three schemes which had been put forwardviz., first, driving a crosscut from the new pump to the old one at the 640 ft level ; second, driving a crosscut from the same point- at the 800 ft level; and third, to sink the Hauraki shaft to 1000 ft. and drive a crosscut at that level the first or minor one was the most practicable, as this would require less funds, and could lie commenced at once, whereas the others would not he practicable until the Government could legislate so as to in some way dispose of the old Queen of Beauty ground, and this could not be done until about November next. Taking all things into consideration, he was in favour of the first scheme, which was the one introduced by Mr. Comer, and be thought the Thame.''; Borough Council might come forward and find the immediate working expenses, for which hard cash was necessary, and this could be then refunded from the assessment during, say, the next five years. Mr. A. Bums (Mayor) said that, in refer, ence to the scheme for developing the deeper levels lie could confidently say that the Borough Council would be prepared to give all reasonable assistance in the matter, as they r. cognised that this was a work that was in the interest of all, and all that was required was that the companies interested should combine for the good of all, and work • together, in which case he could not see any difficulty in the way of carrying the matter to a successful issue. He further stated that, at the meeting of the Borough Council on Thursday next, a notice of motion was to be discussed', fixing definitely what assistance they would be prepared to give, and he trusted' that the sub-committee of the Board would then be in a position to bring up something definite and practicable at the next meeting of the Board.

A vote of thanks was passed, to be recorded in the minutes, to Messrs. Comer and Dunlop, for their past services its members of the Board. Mr. Green (the mover) stating thai Mm Board "as deeply indebted to both gentlemen for I heir devotion to the interests of the Boairi. and expressed regret that they had retired. A vote of thanks was also passed to the officials of the Board, the secretary (Mr. J. W. Nichol) and the engineer (Mr. Wilson), and to the chairman (the Hon. E. Mitchelson).

The balance sheet showed the receipts for the year to be £1058 5s Id, including balance from the previous year of £73 14s 3d. Of this amount" £2905 18s Id was assessment money received from the various companies, £500 Government subsidy, and the balance sundry small receipts. The total expenditure for the vear was £3885 12s sd, leaving a balance in" bank of £121 12s Bd. There are, however, outstanding liabilities shown amounting to £902 0s 9d, which, with the se' off of accounts due to the Board, ant coal and material on hand, leaves in all a debit balance of £90 14s 7d, as the result of the year's operations.