THAMES HAHBOUR BOARD.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XII, Issue 3237, 6 February 1879, Page 3

THAMES HAHBOUR BOARD.

Thb usual fortnightly meeting of tlr Board was held last evening, Mr Davies in the chair. Present—Messrs MoOullongh, Wilson, Mennie, Bagnall, Gibbons, Price and Spencer.

Goods Whabf.—The Tollkeeper on this wharf asked that the rent be lowered, as, since the stoppage of the two pumps, there was less coal traffic on the wharf, whioh considerably decreased his profits. —The letter was received.

Audit.—The auditor (Mr Durrieu) wrote that the books of the Board were keept in a very satisfactory state. He mude Bevcrai suggestions as to future audits.—Mr Bagnall drew attention to the way in which the balance sheet had been published. It led people into error.— The Chairman replied that it had boen published in the proper form, according to the auditor's wish.

New Emotion.-The Marine Department forwarded regulations for holding the coming elections. Kabaka Cbeek.-A letter was read from the Minister of Public Works, asking the sanction of the Board to allow this creek to be straightened by the Borough Council.—Permission was agreed to be given, Forbshobe. -The Government notified that Judge Johnston had been appoinled to adjudicate on the. claims to the foreshore,

Sluicing.—A request from Thos. Tonge, asking permission to sluice on tne beach, was granted. ■ Takings.— Timothy Donovan applied that the Board remit a portion of the money paid by him for the right to use the tailings on the beach, as he found that the land did not belong to the Board, but to Mr Tookey, whose permission he had obtained.—A motion by the Mayor that half of the money be returned was negatived.

Silt WoBKs.-Mr Comes, late contractor for the first portion of the silt works, asked the Board to re-consider their former resolution, that the penalty of £9 be enforced.—On the motion of the Matob it was agreed to remit the penalty. > Sheds.—With referenoe to the applications for sites for offices on the Bhortland Wharf, the Chairman stated that the committee had not yet visited the wharf, but would do so before next meeting.— Mr Bagnall was added to the committee. t Accounts.—A number of aooounts (including £115 to the captain of the dredge) were passed for payment, Fibewood WHABF.-With reference to Captain Souter's application, that a small wharf for firewood cutters be built outside the silt works, : the Chaibman said that the work could not be Proceeded with on acoount of the insufficiency of, funds.

Thh DBED&B.-In reply to the Mayor, the Chaibman Bald that the Harbour. master. had, ; beeu instructed to take 'flbundirigg, and report oh the dredging operations.—The Ma*ob thought tbey should havo an expression from some competent engineer that the work would prove of utility, as it had been freely stated that the channel just dredged had rapidly silted op through the action of, a gale/—Mr Pbiob said he had beea'ini formed by Captain Best that the gale had not affeoted the channel in theleast.—Mr Gibbons was confident that if the current of the Kauwaeranga Greek were turned into the channel now dredged it would keep it dear.-Mr Mennib said the opinion of two high engineers was that if the silt were retained in shore, the channel would not be filled up.—The M/atob said he wished to point out that, at the rate now paid, they would not be able to continue the work to its proposed length, and he thought they should decide to narrow the channel. He moved, " That Messrs Price and Gibbons, being; practical: men, be a committee to look into the matter, and, if .necessary,.call a special' 1 meeting 1 , and lay their report it.'.'-TMr Bagnam seconded, and : 'thought"no, attention, should .bepaid to * Reports. oirbulatedby people not oom-l .potent to! judge.r-The Chaibman: stated:, ihat,,there.was a Dredge Committee in 1 existence, and it was; resolved to add Mr Gibbons to the committee.

Votb of TflANis.-Mr Bignau said/ as this was the last meeting of the present Board, he moved that a vote of thanks be tendered to the' Chairman for the very great assistance he had rendered to the Board.—Mr Wilson seconded the motion, whioh was unanimously carried.