THAMES AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22675, 12 March 1937, Page 13

THAMES AFFAIRS

REPORT ON RATE PAYMENTS EXPIRY OF LEGISLATION [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT 3 THAMES, Thursday The borough commissioner, Mr. C. L. Grange, reported to the Advisory Committee meeting held yesterday that of current rates £10,295 had been collected, equivalent to 66.2 per cent of the total, leaving £3815 of arrears. Mr. Grange said that the way that the arrears were coming in assured that his estimate of 84 per cent would be realised. The figures for the corresponding month last year were £9752, 62.5 per cent and £5969 respectively.The Under-Secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs wrote acknowledging the commissioner's letter relative to interest and sinking fund on the Thames borough and harbour loans. He stated that it was intended to deal this vear with the position arising out of the prospective expiry next year of, the special legislation relating £o Thames, and he noted the commissioner's suggestion that a conference should be held in March under the chairmanship of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry. At thQ moment, the under-secretary said, the Minister would not be free for such a purpose, but he assured the commissioner that the whole question would not be lost sight of and further advice would be given later in - the year. The committee will make further representations at an early date. The borough engineer, Mr. I. Comrie, reported adversely on the proposal ;to divert the water from the impounding '* area of the Moanatairi and Waiotahi • stream into a channel on the southern side of the embankment and wharf at Burke Street. There had been an agitation to have this done in order to sluice the harbour channel, recently dredged, and keep it free of mud and silt. The engineer said the amount of water was insufficient for the purpose. No action was taken.