THAMES HARBOUR BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 11

THAMES HARBOUR BOARD.

RESIGNATION OF ENGINEER.

APPRECIATION OF SERVICES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Wednesday. The Thames Harbour Board suspended oporatious toward the end of last year on its harbour improvement scheme, then in an uncompleted state, after the expenditure of approximately £64,000. It was stated at the time by Mr. J. W. Danby, chairman of the board, that it was hoped to sell the plant for £3OOO, which the board estimated should be sufficient to complete the work. At a meeting of the board last evening; the engineer, Mr. E F. Adams, tendered his resignation in the following terms: — "As by mutual consent we terminate today my engagement with the Hiames Harbour Board. I wish to convey to you my appreciation of the assistance you have jriven mo in the very considerable difficulty wo have experienced in getting value for money expended on the harbour works.

"That the available funds ran out beforo the works were completed was unfortunate. That further funds are available to complete the works is more unfortunate still. The economic value of this port is not realised, for had its potentialities been appreciated there would havo been established locally ere now a strong and independent agency handling imports to the benefit of the board, the town and the district."

Replying to Mr. Edwards (Paeroa) Mr. Danby stated that Mr. Adams would continue to act as consulting engineer to tho board without retaining fee. He would be engaged as the necessity arose. In seconding tho chairman's motion recording appreciation of the services of M r . Adams to the board Mr. Kennedy (Piako) said ho did not blamo tho engineer for tho present position of the scheme. He had done his utmost to accomplish it and had served the board to the. very best of his ability. The "motion was unanimously carried. Discussing tho future of tho scheme Mr. Danbv said overtures had been made to Mr. F. W. Furkert, chief engineer to the Public Works Department, in regard to the completion of dredging of a channel to permit of the entrance of shipping. He was hopeful of arranging for the completion of the dredging. He was confident that whatever the outcome the work already accomplished would eventually be regarded as a substantial foundation for the future requirements of the port.