TUESDAY, JANUARY C, 1880. THE FOXTON HARBOU HOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 38, 6 January 1880, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1880. THE FOXTON HARBOU HOARD.

Upon several occasions the Foxton Harbor Board have made strong efforts to obtain as an endowment tbe local wharf. The position of the Board is unique. It possesses no endowment, and receives no other revenue than a few pounds per annum as rent-money ; notwithstanding which it is expected to perform all the functions conferred upon it by " The Harbors Act, 1878."" Being paralysed for want of money, the Board has sunk into a state of quiescence, and we fear will remain so, waiting for something to turn up. The present position of affairs, however, is a most serious one. Improvements are needed to the river, and cannot possibly be effected unless funds are forthcoming ; whilst the Government refuse to release their grip and are draining the resources of the port. The total expense of maintaining the harbor staff, consisting of a pilot and assistant, is about £400. The revenue the Government derive from the port is something like the following : — Wharf dues, through Railway Department, an average of about £70 per month, or £840 per annum ; whilst the pilotage dues for 1879, amounted to £114 12s 6d, thus leaving a considerable balance, after paying wharfinger's salary. The Board should persist in then* appeals to the Government for assistance. The claims of Foxton, as the port of a district with a population of seven or eight thousand persons, cannot be for ever neglected, and if the "powers that be" are badgered with sufficient pertinacity, they will in time grant our request, as did the unjust steward that of the widow,lest by continued appeals they are wearied. Whether further application should be made for the wharf is a matter for the Board's careful consideration ; but we certainly consider it unjust in the extreme that the Foxton Harbor Board is allowed to exist as nothing but a skeleton, destitute alike of power and vitality.