FOXTON HARBOR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 86, 28 June 1881, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOR BOARD.

Friday, June 24, 1881. The Board met at noon. Present — Messrs Gray (Chairman), Thynne, Gower, and Russell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letter read from Mr Blaokett, as follows : — " I have the honor to reply to your letter of the 6th inst., enquiring whether I will act as judge of the plans for the improvement of the Manawatu river and bar, such plans to be called for in competition, as I understand, for a pre« . mium to be bestowed on one or more most approved. My experience in such mattera lead ma to recommend the Harbor Board would not to obtain plans for the improvement of the river by such a course, which usually results in a large number of designs being sent in, very many of whioh will be of no value whatever, others may bare some good points about them, and possibly not one which can bo recommended in its entirety for adoption. Men of real ability and good standing do not as a rule care to enter into such a competition, and work like this demands special qualifications possessed by a few only, who have studied it, and had real experienc« in oarrying it out. Again, before the Board could call for suoh plans a proper marine survey of the river and bar should be made (costing probably at least £400 to £500), and a copy of this should ba supplied to each competitor on application, as a basis for his work ; for it «onld not be expected that each one would be at the expense of makiag his own survey ; and without it, no proposals for improvement would be worth the paper they were made on. I should recommend the Board to apply to an engineer of known ability and experience in actual works, to make the necessary surveys, and design the required improvements. In this way a really valuable result will be obtained. In conclusion, and in reply to your query, I respectfully decline to act as proposed by the Harbor Board, ray time being; so fully I occupied in the duties of my department." JQA letter was also received from the Go* tvernment declining to hand over the wharf to the Board, on the ground that the chief business at the wharf was in conneotion' with goods received or sent by railway, and that consequently it was desirable to keep the management of it in the hands of the Railway Department. A lengthy discussion ensued on the subject of Mr Blackett's letter, and eventually it was resolved to ask the Government to instrnojone of its engineers to make.* proper marine survey of the river. I Two or three small accounts were passed for paym9&t,and the Board then adjwwwd, i