THAMES AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 9

THAMES AFFAIRS.

harbour dredging scheme SCHOOLS COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] THAMES. Thursday. A good deal of crti/,cism has arisen in connection with, the delay in tite dredging operations for the 'lhrmes Harbour Board's £60,000 harbour scheme, the cost of which has been guaranteed by the Thames Borough Council. At a recent meeting of the board a newly-appointed dredgemaster reported adversely on the condition of the suction cutter dredge, which still lies by the wharf and has not been commissioned since its purchase, nearly 12 mouths ago. At a meeting of the board this week the engineei, Mr. E. I*. Adams, said the. dredge would be assembled and ready for ! use at the end of this month. Mr. Miller asked for details of Messrs. Price's account for alterations to the dredge. Mr.. Adams said the winch was designed by Mr. Roche, the late dredgemaster, in collaboration with Messrs. Price. It was built to use chains. Mr. Lockie, the new dredgemaster, and his assistant, would not use the chains on. the winch and wanted wire ropes. Mr. Roche had never satisfactorily used the winch. Mr. Lockie and the speaker had got to work on tho designs fend tenders were called for alterations and prices were obtained. The chairman, Mr. W. J. Danby, said the dredgemaster had previously reported unfavourably on the winch. In reply to a question, Mr. Adams said the first cost of the v.'inch was £4OO. The alterations would cost £293. Mr. Couitei" said it was evident every care was being taken to conserve the board's interests. The Thames Schools Committee met last evening, Mr. J. Hodge, chairman, presiding. The Tararu Tennis Club applied for the use of the Thames North School playground during the forthcoming summer. Applications for othef school courts were also received. It was decided to grant the requests, provided the applicants formed clubs, play to be regulated by certain rules. The Auckland Education Board advised that an application had been made to the department for a subsidy on contributions for the purchase of grass seed and shrubs. The headmastetf of the Central School. Mr. A. J. Shepherd, reported for the quarter qpding September 30. The average attendance was 359. Admissions numbered 29 and withdrawals 33. The roll at Sept-ember 30 was 430. At the request of cne Education Board the savings bank stamp system had been inaugurated and 113 new accounts were opened. It was resolved to repair the gates at the Central School and to prosecute all persons found trespassing on the school grounds.