HARBOUR BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19578, 26 August 1933, Page 4

HARBOUR BOARD

A SOUND POSITION DISCLOSED MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Timaru Harbour Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs G. T. Dawson (chairman), T. B. Garrick, W. Hayman, R. S. Goodman, W. T. Ritchie, I. J. Bradley, W. H. Orbell, J. Kennedy, A. P. Campbell, P. R. Flatman, J. H. Smillie, J. Scott and A. R. Guild. Chairman’s Statement. Reviewing the financial position, the chairman stated that the credit balance at the last meeting was £BBO 4s 6d. Receipts during the month totalled £4OBO 16s Bd, making a total of £4961 Is 2d. Accounts to be passed that day amounted to £5223 7s 6d, leaving a debit balance of £262 6s 4d. There was an amount of £3OOO on fixed deposit, however, so that actually the Board was in credit £2737 13s Bd. At the corresponding period last year there was a debit of £3405 11s Id. Board’s Debentures. The Town Clerk, Timaru, replying to a letter from the Board regarding its debentures, stated that under the Council's conversion proposals, which were now before the Government, they were proposing to be their own Sinking Fund Commissioners. In such case, they should have money to invest in their own loans next year. In such circumstances possibly, if the Board did not require the money immediately, the Board might be willing to renew its debentures on an undertaking from the Council to purchase them next year. Until the Council received advice from the Loans Board, they would be unable to give the Board any definite statement in regard to the matter. Sick Benefit Society. A statement was presented by the treasurer of the Board’s Employees’ Sick Benefit Society, showing a credit balance for the twelve months ended July 31 of £9 10s Id. The balance in the bank was £163 17s 2d. The chairman said that the Society was in a very good position, and was entirely self-reliant. Conversion Scheme. Discussion ensued as to whether the Beard should agree to an interview with the representative of a Wellington financial firm on a conversion scheme. The chairman remarked that the Board’s own officers had worked out a very good scheme, which it was considered would save the Board a considerable sum, and he was of the opinion that they should not accept any outside scheme. On the motion of Mr Ritchie, seconded by Mr Flatman, it was agreed not to accept any outside scheme. Tenders. The following tenders were accepted: Ironmongery, John Edmond and Co.; oil, Dalgety and Co,; coal, Westport Coal Co., Ltd. Officers’ Reports. The Harbour Master, Captain D. MeDougall, reported that the arrivals during July were 39 steam and motor vessels with an aggregate of 49,385 tons, and the departures 39 steam and motor vessels with an aggregate of 49,209 tons. The weather had been fair throughout, light winds and moderate seas prevailing. The secretary, Mr F. Metson, reported that the chipping of thie decks of the dredge had now been completed. The hopper chipping and red leading was now being done, and it was hoped this work would be done in time to allow the outside painting to be done. In order to cope with this work, the two men on loan to the foreman, had now resumed on the dredge. The boiler mountings were being overhauled and stokehold cleaned, and part of the wooden flooring in the engine-room had been renewed. In tine renewal work on .to. 1 Wharf 45 piles had been driven thus completing the section originally intended to be done. It would be necessary to renew a further 10 feet adjacrmt to the portion Just renewed, as the piles and beams were in a very bad state. In the portion of piledriving just completed the old piles had been resting on concrete blocks and some of the blocks had shifted from their original positions. Twentyfive beams had been placed in position and by the end of next month this section should be completed. Unemployed men had been engaged in clearing gorse at the quarry, also on the extension of Dawson and Wharf Streets. Wharf Street had been extended a further 63 feet, and on Dawson Street stones had been knapped, covering 25 feet. A quantity of shingle had also been removed from the roadway. One hundred and eight single men had been engaged for periods from one to two days each and 95 married men for periods Varying from one to four days each.