THE HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19918, 11 April 1928, Page 11

THE HARBOUR BOARD.

DECREASE IN REVENUE. CHARGE FOR FIREFLOAT'S HIRE. The Auckland Harbour Board met yesterday, the deputy-chairman, Mr. M. H. Wynyard, presiding. Cash receipts under revenue headings for March amounted to £32,701, a decrease of £1948 on the figures for the corresponding month of last year; reported the treasurer, Mr. C. F. Garratt. The figures for the six months of the financial year were £189,661, a decline of £2512 on the corresponding figures for last year. A total of 750 vessels, representing a gross tonnage of 382,456, arrived at Auckland during the month, reported the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant. These figures, compared with those for March, 1927, showed a decrease of four large merchant vessels, and an increase of 31 coastal vessels. The Auckland Fire Board advised that it did not admit any liability for the hire of the firefloat in connection with the recent fire at Winstone's oil store, Freeman's Bay. The Fire Board made no charge for attending fires in the city, and had, therefore, no means of collecting the cost from the owners or occupiers of the building. Mr. Wynyard said about £IOO was involved; He felt sure the harbourmaster had acted correctly in placing the firefloat at the disposal of the fire brigade, and the board could feel a sense of satisfaction, even i£ the account rendered were not paid. The matter was referred to the board in committee. . , In connection with the collision between the steamer Hikurangi and the board's scow Havoc, resulting in the capsize of the latter vessel, it was stated that the matter had been reported to the collector of customs to allocate the responsiThe Comptroller of Customs advised that the three-ton electric level luffiag crane for Calliope Dock would be admitted free of duty. . "That will mean a saving of about £6OO to the board," commented the chairman. Advice was received that tne next conference of the Harbours' Association of New Zealand would be held at Auckland in January. . , . .. Fifteen tenders were received for tn* supply of two electric cranes for Western Wharf. These were referred to the engineer, Mr. D. Holderness, for a report.