HARBOUR ACTIVITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20441, 18 December 1929, Page 15

HARBOUR ACTIVITIES.

MEETING OF THE BOARD.

NEW LOAN PROPOSAL.

The Auckland Harbour Board held its final meeting of the year yesterday, the chairman, Mr. M. H. Wynyard, presiding. It was decided to apply to the Local Government Loaus Board for sanction to the raising of £240,000, with a currency of 30 vears. the rate of interest not to exceed 5i per cent., and the sinking fund to be U per cent. Of the total, £BO,OOO is required in connection with the viaduct scheme.

Reporting on a recent conference of local bodies, with regard to the Whau Bridge, the chairman said it had been suggested at the meeting that the conditions required by the board for a new structure would make it. necessary to buiid a more expensive bridge than" would otherwise be the case, [t was, therefore, contended that the board should bear part of the cost or revise its conditions. Mr. Wynyard saui he had contended that the conditions were reasonable, and ultimately the attitude of the board on the question was virtually endorsed by the meeting. A slight decrease in the amount of shipping entering the port during November, compared with the corresponding month last year, was reported by the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant. Tbfc total gross tonnage was 349.910. The largo merchant shipping showed rudecreaso of six vessels, and 5452 gross tons. The local coastal shipping showed a decrease of 70 vessels, but, an increase of 210 gross tons.

It was decided to build a wharf at Big Buy, on the Manukau Harbour, at an estimated cost of £SOO, provided the Franklin County Council agreed to dedicate a road giving proper accpss and to contribute £IOO toward the cost.

A licence for the erection of bathing sheds and pools on the Church Street Beach was granted to the Onehunga Borough Council. The licence will be for a term of 14 years at an annual fee of £l.

A slipway for boats and launches at Green Bay, Manukau Harbour, will be erected by the board at an estimated cost of £IOO, provided the Bench Improvement Society will guarantee an annual payment of £ls to cover interest and sinking fund on the cost ami maintenance of tlie structure. The chairman paid a special tribute to the excellent work of the staff. tured the assertion that no local bort> in Xew Zealand had a better staff, an opinion in which members cordially concurred. ,