PROGRESS OF THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19219, 7 January 1926, Page 12

PROGRESS OF THAMES.

STREETS IMPROVEMENT WORK. HARBOUR AND DRAINAGE. BUSINESS CENTRE SHIFTING. ,\yAIHOU BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Wednesday. The year just closed has been distinctly progressive, as far as the Borough of Thames is concerned, and the coming year should see an even greater measure of progress. One of the earliest works to be completed was the concreting and bituminising of Pollen Street. The white stretch of concrete, bordered with bitumen and covered with the red metal from Pahiki Island has gained the appreciation of many visitors, and is undoubtedly one of the smartest-looking streets in any Auckland provincial centre. The £200,000 borough improvement scheme, inaugurated in 1921, has been fairly well advanced, though not at the speed ratepayers had hoped for. For the major portion of the year Queen Street was the scene of a devastating upheaval caused by the laying of sewerage mains. This work is now Hearing completion, delay being caused during the winter months by rainy weather. What is known as the outfall drainage main from Albert Street was also put in commission. Sewerage mains have yet to be laid in Pollen Street, and it is now learned that it will not bo necessary to tear up the pavements. Details of what is contemplated in this direction are. not available at the moment. Sanitary drainage for the residents of Block 27 has not progressed at the anticipated rate. The Harbour Construction. Very fair progress has been maintained in connection with the improvement of streets, Tho delay in the completion of the quarry, metal from which- was promised • some time ago, has been an obstacle to progress. The position in regard to tho quarry, which is without a manager, is not clear. About £38,000 h&s been raised during tho year for streets improvements and sanitary drainage. Progress in the construction of the £60,000 harbour has probably been more definite than that in any other local activity. A new wharf, with provision for a railway siding, at a cost of £9OOO, has been completed. The board is at present occupied with the installation of tiho dredging machinery, which, when ■working, is expected to lift 40yds of spoil an hour. The walls are under way, and it should not be long before steamers are no longer dependent on the tides for their entering and departure. Tho most important building activity has been the : .'erection of two new banks in the main street,' 1 Both structures are in brick and concrete, and are handsomely designed and finished throughout. The erection of these buildings is expected to bring about tho removal of the business area from Graharnstown to a more central part in the vicinity of Pollen, Mary and Sealey Streets. It is understood that two leading legal firms intend to erect new offices in this locality, where a new central post office is also to be built to replace the two offices at present in use. Bridge Promised Shortly. Much of the future prosperity of Thames depends on the early completion of the Waihou Bridge. The preliminary negotiations for the commencement of this work have dragged' on for years, and a start this summer is ardently hoped for. The .local bodies concerned have paid their preliminary instalments, and have lately been urging the department to speed up the work. A tender for the structural steel work has been let in Wellington, and an assurance has been received from the Public Works Department at Paeroa that everything possible is being done to arrange for the early commencement of the work.

A bridge at Pipiroa has been promised by tho Hauraki Plains County Council. The completion of both bridges will bring Thames within easy three hours' motoring distance of Auckland, over good roads.

It is expected that the ratepayers will insist on the speeding up of the sewerage works and streets improvements. A mining boom is forecasted in wellinformed circles, and everywhere companies, some with influential names 011 the directorate, are springing into being. Old mines are being retimbered and reopened, with the enthusiastic approval of veteran miners, who confidently assert that rich gold deposits still await discovery in the hills surrounding Thames.

The £2OOO War Memorial which stands on a commanding eminence overlooking the Gulf is still unlighted. The original proposal was to place powerful lights at the base, reflected to tho .top of the slender white column, giving an effect simliar to that obtained on the Scott Memorial at Christchurch. It is expected that a strong effort will bo made to finance this undertaking this year. ENGINE BUILDING WORKS. LARGE EXTENSIONS IN HAND. B>BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Wednesday, fhames boasts a valuable secondary industry in that conducted by Messrs. A. and G. Price, Ltd., whose principal activity is the supply of railway engines to the New Zealand Government. Eight months ago extensive alterations were commenced coincident with the departure of Mr. George . Price for England to arrange for tho importation of new machinery for installation in the enlarged building. The extensions were completed in October and enclose an area of approximately 20.000 square feet.

Mr. Price returned from England last week. During his absence he visited most of the large engineering establishments in England and Scotland, where he exhaustively studied the latest and most efficient working methods aiid systems before making the extensive purchases of new machinery and . other labour-saving appliances required at Thames. This machinery is now being 'set up as the consignments arrive, and when the full installation is completed it is expected to increase the output and efficiency of the works by from 35 to 40 per cent. Incidentally jf will materially increase the number of workmen, already numbering over 200. The extensions . will, increase tho area occupied to. three acres. The new machinery purchased involved an outlay of approximately' £20,000.