THE PORT AUTHORITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19254, 17 February 1926, Page 8

THE PORT AUTHORITY.

ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR. REBUILDING WESTERN WHARF SPECIAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS. LAYOUT OF WATERFRONT. -■ . %■■■ V The estimates for * the year wesS' considered yesterday by the Auckland Harbour Board. In making a general review of projected works, the chairman, Mr. H. R, Mackenzie, said the striking feature of the estimates was the large amount of money that had to lie found out of general account for works, but this would not occur in future years. He referred especially to the extension and reconstruction of Western Wharf, costing £40,000; the balance of money to be found for completion of Onehunga Wharf, £18,129; and special items of maintenance, including £3OOO to be spent on the board's office, £4BOO on to the tug Te Awhina, £3OOO on repairs to concrete wharves, £2750 on paving of King's Wharf, £IOOO on a pipe line for the suction dredge, together with small maintenance expenses, bringing the total under that head to £I6OO. The three items, f Western Wharf, Onehunga Wharf and special maintenance, totalled £74,129. The other items in the general account, such as paving on wharves, four grabs, telephone intershed, wireless installations, lighting on the launch Waitemata, fog sirens on the eastern and western breakwaters, harbour lights standardisation, buoy on Duder's Spit, Calliope Dock 10-ton crane and compensating gear, and gridiron at Mechanic's Bay, had all been approved by the board and would have to be paid for this year as they came to hand. Loan Money Expenditure. In the loan No. 10 account, were estimated payments of £11,230 for Freeman's Bay roading, and £4OOO for a crane at Calliope Dock.

The chairman said that if the bo&rd approved of the plan of the future layout of the waterfront as submitted by the engineer, Mr. D. Holderness, and this he intended to bring forward for discussion next month, it would be found advantageous to delay several works provided for in the loan until after the works suggested in the new plan were completed. That would necessitate applying to Parliament for permission to allocate some of the loan money authorised for other works, but he had no doubt that this would be granted. The estimates were for a programme of nine months to be carried out up to September 30, 1926, the close of the financial year of all harbour boards in New Zealand- The usual condition was imposed that no work was to be started until approved by the board. " The time has come," continued the chairman, " When the board will have to decide whether it is warranted in providing space for shipping for 36Jj» days in the year, when perhaps it is fully occupied during only 30 to 40 days in the year. It would be better tc delay a ship a day-than to go on building costly structures to keep ahead, of the times. In riiy opinion we have amply catered for all wants and can afford to go quietly for a further period." Day Labour or Contract. The board had for many years carried out all ii;s own works by day labour, arid probably it had been ,in its best interests to do so. However, art investigation by a suggested committee would prove which was the better method of carrying but work, whether by contract or day labour. The committee could see if a:iy department was overstaffed, or had any excessive expenditure and generally ascertain if the board was getting value for the money expended. The board had to be lpoked upon as a business concern. As custodians for the public, it had to see that its money was being spent to the best advantage. The time had passed when the board had to find money to carry on works to keep a big staff,in employment. If the work was not required for the time being, .then the staff would have to be "As members can see," he concluded, "the board is in a very sound position financially. Our profits for the year are small, which bears out, our policy to make our charges as near as possible meet our expenditure. The money written off for depreciation is used to the best advantage in building new works in connection with the port, instead of tying the money up in investments. lu view of the extraordinary expenditure this year, I have ? rio doubt that members will realise that the board cannot reduce its charges, which to-day compare more than favourably with other ports in New Zealand, neither can it undertake any further liability or cost on behalf or for the benefits of shipping, or other clients of the board, without receiving a corresponding return for the same." The estimated receipt;? in the general account total £436,633, leaving a balance over estimated payments of £43,044. This balance is required for interest and sinking fund. |n the loan account No. 10. there is an estimated balance of £5500. The estimates were adopted, with minor amendments. The board decided to. proceed with the Western Wharf reconstruction as soon as the plans have been approved by the Marine Department and the board. y