HARBOUR BOARD.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14726, 3 August 1921, Page 5

HARBOUR BOARD.

LAST NIGHT’S MEETING.

The Thames Harbour Board met last night. Present: Messrs C.- W. Harris (chairman), S. Laughlin, I). Donaldson, S. A. Hetherington, J. W. Danby, A. Bruce, H- D. Cooper, R. Coulter, and W. J. McCormick. The chairman reported that the credit balance at the bank was £720, and the imprest account £26 11/7. The amount on deposit was £2017 7/6, making a total credit of £2764 19/1. Accounts amounting to £286 6 ■'! were passed for payment. EXPLOSIVES. Messrs E. Porter and Co. advised that they were sending a cutter down from Auckland to remove all explosives from the magazine. . J. Renshaw wrote, stating that a site on the Moanataari tip had been approved by the Chief Inspector as suitable site for an explosives magazine. The firm applied for a lease for 10 years, with permission to erect a two-ton magazine, built to the requirements of the regulations. The matter of a lease was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary. A letter was received from the licensed dealers in explosives,stating that the order to remove stocks from the Board’s magazine did not give sufficient time for them to secure suitable storage . accommodation. They asked for permission to use the magazine until such time as the buildings were demolished. The Auckland agents of Nobel’s Explosives Co., Ltd., contemplated erecting a small magazine, and until it was ready the Chief Inspector had licensed them to store small quantities only, in their business premises.

The letters were received PLANT.

The engineer to the Wl.akatane Harbour Board wrote acknowledging receipt of an offer of £4OO for the Priestman dredge. The offer was too low. If the Thames Board desired to purchase the plant it would have to submit an offer considerably more than double the offer already made. THE BERTHAGE. The secretary of the Chamber of Commerce forwarded a letter -e----ceived from the Northern Steamship Co., Ltd., regarding the AucklandTliames service. “With reference to the company’s statement that the Wakatere’s berth has not been dredged out sufficiently to allow her to run; I am directed to remind the Board that a special tax on passengers and goods has been paid for.-di considerable time past for the express purpose of keeping open it£ berthage.”

“The Chamber realises that the development of the main harbour improvement scheme is necessarily of' paramount importance, but, at the same time, it is suggested that provision for the maintenance of a satisfactory service, pending the completion of the main scheme, should not be overlooked, and business people, as the main of the improvement tax, would be gratified if the Board would temporarily improve the berthage with the funds contributed for that object.”

The chairman said that the ' engineer was of the opinion that the spoil must be dredged and dumped atsea.

Mr. MacCormick said that it would be well to find out u»hat assistance the shipping company was going to give. The last time the dredge did not work half its time. They must get a good dredgemaster, and see that the Northern Co.’s boats did not come in and interfere with the work. The wretched process followed last time must not be followed again. Mr. Danby said that the dumping, last time, had been reflected in the formation of hard bars, etc. It was dumped, not miles, but hundreds of yards out. He would like the engineer’s opinion as to the possibility of a better system.

The chairman said that the engineer was of the opinion that the only other alternative would be to build a retaining wall, and impound the spoil. Mr. Hetherington asked if the spoil could be pumped under the wharf, and the structure sheathed up. It would strengthen the structure, and a suction dredge could do it. MISCELLANEOUS. Messrs J. R. Clark and A. McCarthy wrote regarding the storage of benzine.

The matter was referred to the secretary for a report. The Technical School superintendent acknowledged receipt of a donation of £1 1/-, which would be devoted to the fund for the purchase of new typewriters.

In a letter to the Auckland. Harbour Board, the secretary said that, two years ago, the Thames Board hired a Priestman dredge and plant to dredge the berthage at the Burke Street Wharf. “As similar work has again become necessary,” the. letter added, “I am directed to communicate with you in regard to hiring this plant or one suitable for the work in question.” The letter asked for the hiring cost per day, and for how long possession could be given. Two punts would be required.

The chairman said that he wished to get the information for the Board. Tenders for the sale of the magazine buildings, tramway, and wharf were opened and declined, on the motion of Mr. Coulter. It, was decided to inform the Lands Department that the Board would require £l2 for the rent of' storage last year, and that the rent of the store would be £l2 per annum.

'Mi. T. J. James, Epsom, Auckland, wrote asking if the board could let him have plans and specifiieations of the proposed wharf at Turua and he would submit a price for a wooden structure.