HARBOUR BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19373, 23 December 1932, Page 11

HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs G. T. Dawson (chairman), T. B. Garrick, W. Hayman. J. Kennedy, F. S. Shrimpton, J. H. Smillie, J. Scott, A. F, Campbell, F. R. Flatman, W. H. Orbell, W. T. Ritchie, A. R. Guild and J. Bitchener. M.P. Chairman’s Statement. The chairman, in his statement, said that the credit balance at the last meeting was £743/17/3. Receipts during the month totalled £2921/18/8, making a total credit of £3665/15/11. Accounts to be parsed that day totalled £1933/13/9, leaving a credit of £1732 2/2, as compared with a credit of £1406 at the corresponding period last year. There was an amount of £SOO on call, making the actual credit balance at present £2232/2/2. Referring to the positoin during the next few months, the chairman said that payments to be made on January 11 would total £12,778/1/3, made up as follows: Interest on loans £7771/11/3, Sinking Fund Commissioners £2329, Public Trustee £2227/10/-, and wages £250. Receipts would total £5654/2/10, made up as follows: Credit balance at December 22. £1732/2/2. interest on debentures £563/11/6, harbour rate £1536 5/8, ships’ dues £650, rents £26/8/-, wharfage due on January 3, £550, temporary deposit £SOO and sundries £9O 15/6. In addition an amount of £4500 would be available on January 4. which would make the total receipts £10,154 2/10, leaving the Board to fall back or. the bank for £2623/18/5. At the same period last year they had to fall back on the bank for about £BOOO. He thought their finances were coming through particularly well. Letter of Appreciation. The manager of Canadian National Steamships, Wellington, wrote expressing appreciation to the Board for the attention given to the Company’s vessels during the year. Retaining Wall. The Town Clerk, Timaru, replying to a letter from the Board asking the Council to put in a retaining wall so as to stop any clay that would otherwise be scoured away, at the south end of the Bay, and might eventually find its way into the channel, he had been instructed to ask whether a retaining wall of rock would meet requirements. It was agreed to advise the Council that a temporary wall would do in the meantime. Embargo on Fruit. Mr Orbell drew attention to the controversy regarding the embargo on fruit, and’said that he thought that the Board should request the Government, when negotiating in regard to the removal of the embargo, should bear in mind the Australian embargo on New Zealand potatoes. Mr Kennedy considered that the Government had no intention of removing the embargo, and he thought the position should be allowed to remain as it is. Mr Ritchie did not think there was enough protesting done to the Government. If the Government was not urged to take action, they would think that everything was all right. He seconded the motion. After brief discussion, the motion was carried. Overhaul of Dredge. Reference to the overhaul of the dredge was made by Mr Shrimpton. who said that members had no idea of what work had to be carried out. He therefore moved: "That the dredge engineer be asked to prepare a list of vork done up to date for next Board meeting, and if possible to supply actual cost of same, as against labour cost of similar work at Port Chalmers. ATc, to supply details of necessary work to be completed after that date; the estimated cost and period to complete same, and for comparison (if available), to show the cost of labour for same work done at Port Chalmers last year.” The motion was carried. Tender for Timber. The tender of E. D. Pike and Co., of Christchurch, of £3Bl/17/4 for piles and planking was accepted. Harbourmaster’s Report, The harbourmaster (Captain D. McDougall), reported that the arrivals for the month of November were 3S steam vessels with an aggregate of 32,443 tons, and the departures 37 steam vessels, with an aggregate of 31,317 tons. Tire report was adopted. Secretary's Report. The secretary reported on repair work done on the dredge and also on repairs effected to the wharves. He added that since last meeting under the No. 5 scheme of unemployment, 87 married men had been employed for periods varying from one to four days each, and 71 single men for periods varying from one to three days each. These men had been principally engaged in laying the foundation for the formation of Dawson Street and 75 lineal feet of this street had now been formed. Shingle had been placed on Fraser Street sidings for maintenance purpoes and similar treatment was being given to the Hayes Street sidings. A further portion of Wharf Street extension had been shingled. The report was adopted.