THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 5

THAMES DRAINAGE BOARD.

REPAIRS TO THE PUMPS.

Tho Thames Drainage Board met yesterday at the office of tho secretary. Uiero were present: The 'Hon. E. Mitchelson (chairman), Messrs. H. Gilfillan, jun., C. Hudson, Graves Aickin, J. .Kneebone, E. A- Brown,_ W. Baker, and J. H. Shaw (Mayor of Thames). Tho engineer reported that in order to improve the ventilation of the 1000 ft level mam crosscut the Root's blower was being run on Sundays. A pinion in the pump had to be renewed in accordance with the orders of the Government inspector, and it would be necessary to stop the pump for a fortnight during the Christmas vacation, so that the work could be carried out.

Reports \yero received as to a worn gearing in the Board's capstan. _ The old gear, installed 15 years ago, having worn out, a new set was obtained from Messrs. Price Bros., but although apparently an, exact copy, the capstan would not handle quite the eatne load as before. Messrs. Price Bros, were determined to make their parts thoroughly successful at whatever cost, and arrangements were being made for alterations in the gear with that object. In the meantime the makers of the original gear had been written to asking if they could supply a set from the original drawings if required. The Board expressed its satisfaction with the. arrangements that" had been made. ;

A comparative tost of Newcastle, W port, and Taupii'i coal was the subject of a report forwarded by the engineer. It showed that the Tauniri coal was much cheaper for tho purposes of the ThamesHauraki. pumping plant, and it was decided to increase the stocks of that fuel, at present running low. A satisfactory statement wag made by the chairman regarding the new regulations sought by the Board. He said that Mr. Hudson and himself had interviewed Mr. H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Mines, and there seemed every prospect that the regulations would be brought into force by the time the new Board was elected.

Mr. Hudson said that no serious objection bad been raised to the regulations by Mr. Blow or by the warden. The Board thanked the chairman and Mr. Hudson for their efforts in connection with this matter. \ In reply to a letter from Mr. A. Tpruoo, in which he declined to cart coal for the pumping plant unless the wharfage payable on it was guaranteed, it was decided that the wharfage was payable by the contractor.

The place of the annual election of the Board was decided upon as tho Board's Auckland office.

Accounts amounting to £417 5s were passed for payment.

WAITANGI.

ANOTHER 30lb OF STONE.

The manager of the Waitangi mine, Thames, telegraphed yesterday afternoon as follows —" Secured another 301b of picked stone from the intermediate level." This brings the total quantity of picked etone secured from the intermediate level of the mine during the past three days to 1001b. Shares in the company sold yesterday at from lid at the first and second calls to Hid. to Is to llJjd at, the third call, later buyers offering and sellers holding for Is.

DREDGING RETURNS.

[BY telegraph. press ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, Friday The following dredging returns are to hand: —Waikaia, 19oz 16dwt; Manuherikia, 14oz; Masterton, 15oz lOdwt; Koputa,i, 6oz lOdwt.

POLICE COURT NEWS.

The sitting of the Police Court yesterday was presided over by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.

A native of the Savage Islands, Sieme Manutagn by name, admitted having been drunk "plenty of times," and was fined 10s.

Frank Evans was sentenced to six months' hard labour for being an incorigible rogue. Pleading not guilty to a charge of indecent assault upon a girl undfjr 16 years of age, William Charles Spriggs was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in accused's own surety of £150, and in two others of £75 each. .Frederick Carter, for failing, to comply with an order for the support of his illegitimate child, was ordered to. pay off £20 arrears and to keep up payments on the order at the rate ot 16s a week. Two charges were brought against S. McGuire, a bankrupt, of having failed to keep proper accounts, and of having made certain irregular payments outside the course of ordinary business. On the first charge the defendant was convicted and sentenced to 14 days' hard labour, the second charge being dismissed.