THE HARBOUR BOARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21577, 23 August 1933, Page 7

THE HARBOUR BOARD

INTERCOLONIAL VESSELS MEDICAL INSPECTION SYSTEM CONFERENCE TO BE HELD i A reply to a request from the Auckland Harbour Board to revise the present system of medical inspection in force on incoming intercolonial vessels was j received in a communication from the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, at yesterday's meeting of the board. It; was stated in the letter that this was a matter,which concerned not only tho Health Department, but also the Customs Department, and the latter authority was responsible for tho administration of the Immigration Restriction Act. It was proposed to hold a conference with the Customs Department with a view to ascertaining whether the present system of medical inspection could be modified on a-basis acceptable to both departments. The chairman, Mr. T. B. Clay, remarked that it was evident that the board's request had had some effect. The Auckland and Suburban Drainage Board requested, in regard to the main sewer retaining wall across Hobson Bay, to be released from its obligation to maintain a fixed deposit of £6500 in terms of the Auckland and Suburban Drainage Act, 1908. It was stated that, in consideration of the release being given, an agreement would be executed guaranteeing to complete the additional work yet to be done on receipt of a deinandfrom the Harbour Board to proceed with such work. Drainage Board's Scheme Mr. E. R. Daviis referred to the nuisance being created on beaches in the ;vicinity of the outflow from the sewer.

The board decided to grant the request, subject to the approval of the board's solicitors to the agreement. The drainage committee, in reporting on the Drainage Board's scheme of sewerage and Btormwater drainage for the Auckland metropolitan district, recommended the adoption of the scheme. The recommendation was adopted.

The payment of interest on. loans domiciled in New South Wales was the subject of a letter received from th» Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric - Power Board. It was stated that a test case had been arrange! for the purpose of obtaining interpretation on the application or otherwise of the Statute, to New Zealand local body loans. The necessary documents had been completed and the board expected to learn shortly the date on which the case would be heard. The Harbour Board was asked if it would bear part of the costs. The chairman considered the question a complicated one,' and the board referred the matter to the finance committee/" Trains on Board's Property "The position is very unsatisfactory," said the engineer, Mr. D. Holderness, in referring to the running of trains on Harbour Board property by the Railway Department. The whole mattar at present hinged on the policy of the department, and it was different in every port. After having laid rails on King's Wharf, the department gradually made the board pay for them, and Prince's Wharf was being worked under-protest. "The board has refused to acoept or .adopt viaduct charges, and the viaduct, which is capable of carrying rail traffic, is at present being used only by the'oil companies. The companies are paying their own charges," he stated. A

The Navy League was granted permission to use one of the wharf sheds as a clubroom during the visit of the Australian cruisers.

The Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores' Association asked that, in view of the danger of fire, the board rigidly enforce the by-law in connection with smoking on the wharves in the vicinity of the sheds. The matter was referred to tho board in committee. The board decided to name two streets on the western reclamation. The street in the centre of the reclamation is to be known as Hamer Street, and that on thp eastern side as Brigham Street. The Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, advised that the donation of £250 by the board to the Prosperity Week funds would be validated during the coming session. It was decided that the donation should be paid at once.