Visit of Sir Joseph Ward.

Manawatu Herald, 1 March 1902, Page 2

Visit of Sir Joseph Ward.

Through the member for the district, Mr John Stevens, an appointment was made with Sir Joseph Ward for. the Poxton Racing Club, and the Borough Councillors wisely availed themselves of such an excellent opportunity to lay certain matters relating to the welfare of the town before such a distinguished member of the Government. The Club, though practically also working for the advancement of the district, waived pride of place to the Borough. Sir Joseph Ward arrived at Poxton by special train at 12.80 p.m. accompanied by his private secretary, and Mr Ronayne, General Manager of Railways, and the General Traffic Manager. He was met at the station by the Mayor, accompanied by the Town Clerk, Councillors, and other residents. Mr John Stevens introduced the Mayor, who in turn introduced the Councillors. An immediate march was made for Mr Haywood’s hotel where the Mayor entertained the Minister and deputations at lunch, which was in host Haywood’s usual style. After lunch an adjournment was made to the Borough Chambers when Mr John Stevens introduced the subject of the meeting by stating

that what would be brought was for the general welfare of the -■ town. The time being short it had been arranged that the Mayer should be the principal spokesman, and he would ask others to be as brief as possible, but not to refrain from speaking if any point could be brought out. During his long knowledge of the town and district there was never a time so bright, trade was increasing, not alone in Foxton but all round. The whole district would be improved by Harbour and Railway, expenditure sought, and the effects would be as far reaching. The extension of the Tramway to Balls would improve the working of the railway and harbour, by ten to twelve per cent. (Applause.) He sailed upon The Mayor, who said that at a meeting held last night a list of requirements was drawn up, which he read. Ist, Extension of the wharf 200 ft. Owing to the silting of the river at the wharf 100 ft had been rendered useless. He thought some of the groins had got displaced which was the cause of the silt. If the extension desired was made that would not need be feared as there was 16ft of water there at present. It was desired that Sir Joseph Ward would make a personal inspection of the wharf. 2. Reduction of tolls for use of weighing from sixpence to threepence per load. 3. Lighting of the wharf when steamers lie there. Also there should be a set of buoys and grappling irons kept on wharf. 4. Wharf to be planked between rails. 5. Shortage of trucks. 6. Extra train to run to Palmerston on Tuesdays similar to the Thursday timetable. 7. Platform at station to be extended to allow carts to be backed up to it.

8. Light railway to the beach. 9. Local authority to have power to borrow from Government for metalling. The Mayor mentioned that had we to wait to metal all our roada we “ should be buried twice over." Or Speirs said it was a fact that unless the Government lent the Borough money for metalling it meant that the roads would never be metalled, and he had inquired from institutions who lent money to local authorities, who utterly refused to lend to Foxton. Part of the revenue was swallowed up to do so many things besides roadmaking that people on the outskirts had very little chance of getting anything done to their roads unless the Government helped. „ Mr Thynne desired to urge this matter of alteration to small boroughs as being one of the outsiders mentioned by the last speaker, be had not got a metalled road and feared he would not, without the assistance asked for. He believed Sir Joseph would see the position at a glance, as money was lent in thousands to the Manawatu County Council formetailing roads, though they had a much larger revenue than the borough, and it appeared most strange that the division made by a wire fence should oppose such difficulties to the resident in the borough. They did not want to borrow to erect Municipal offices, but very much desired to borrow money under easy terms offered by the Government for road making. Mr Fraser desired to say that the want of railway communication to the beach was no new proposal. A petition ha beenlargely signed, not only by the residents of the town, but by settlers in Pahiatua and Woodville. The petition was favourably considered by Mr Cadman, and in reply to a letter from the Borough the Government had stated the matter had reached them too lata for the estimates the past session, buKwould be carefully considered in considering future railway extensions. Hundreds of people visited the beach, and excursions would be .patronised by thousands. The character of the country was most favourable, the engineer reporting that there was no difficulty as to construction. Sir Joseph Ward said he would be Very pleased to look into some'of the matters brought before him, and as to others he oould give them a direct answer at once. As to the wharf he would get a report made. ■ He might state it had been already arranged to dredge the berthageand that would be done at once. He was not prepared to reduce the tolls for weighing as this was the charge all over the colony. They would understand that rates must be secured as they were only taking 8 per cent on the capital, and to do this some charges must be retained. The lamps and the other things asked for would be granted. As to the question of trucks it was a good sign and showed trade was brisk. The Department would do its beat to keep up a supply, but it must be understood it was not possible to keep up an abnormal supply. They were having new trucks built, but they could not afford to have trucks lying about idle. He would look into the request of an extra train on Tuesdays and if the traffic showed it was likely to pay, they were never against making an experiment to facilitate business. A reply would be sent to Mr Stevens. He bad no recollection about any promise having been made to extend the platform, but the matter would bo looked into on his return. The

to the beach was a matter of pofioy, but he might say that the light lines had been discussed and it was found their saving was not sufficient to justify any break in the guage. However the Cabinet would have the application laid before them. As to the amendment of “ The Loans to Local Bodies Act ” he saw no reason why smaller bodies should not have the same concessions as larger bodies had, and he would say he was very much in favour of such amendment and would give it his personal support. (Applause.) Or Spoirs brought up the subject of a railway to Levin, and pointed out the advantages to Foxton and the railway direct service. Sir Joseph Ward said he had taken note of the remarks and would look into the question. This ending the Borough business the Mayor moved a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Joseph Ward, which was very heartily supported. THE RACING CLUB.

Mr Stevens informed Sir Joseph Ward that the Club desired him, if he could, to issue an extra totaliaator permit for an Autumn Meeting. He declared the Club to be one of the beet on the coast and the meetings had always been very well conducted, and had proved of benefit to the community. Mr Thynnc, Vice-President of the Foxton Racing Club, apologised for the absence of the Secretary, who bad wired that morning that it was impossible for him to be present. He had been placed thus at a disadvantage in laying the application before Sir Joseph.' He would point oat that the Club bad endeavoured to carry out their meetings in as good a manner as was possible, and bad never striven to make money simply for money. The Club had been in existence a long time and had always been popular and respectable, as could be understood lor in early, years the present member in Parliament had ridden on the •ourso in ft race. Whatever money the Club made they spent it in improvements, and last year they laid out 4860, making the sum expended upon the course some £llOO. He desired to show that in 1894-95 4840 was given in stakes, and year by year they had bean increased until the stakes amounted to £BOO. By a reference to the proceedings of the Conference of Representatives of New Zealand Jockey Clubs, the Club held the premier position of all Clubs which were granted one meeting in the year, and in a great number of instances they gave larger stakes per day and put more money per day through the totalisator than Clubs which had been granted two meetings in the year. At the last meeting the •takes paid were £BOO, the totalisator investments were £BB9I, the average stakes paid per day were £4OO, and the proportion of stakes to gross totalisator revenue was 111%. They asked for a meeting at the end of April because they not only thought jjhat the business they did deserved Consideration, but that their second day this year was a pouring wet one Which had interfered with their takings. Since 1894-95 £4740 had been paid away in stakes, and £775 in the totalisator tax.

Sir Joseph Ward considered so far a good claim had been made out, but it was impossible for him to do anything as the permits were fixed in pqmber and had been already allotted |n keeping with the recommendations of the Conference, and though three ware held in abeyance they had jjbeh disposed of since. He thought, what bad been said, that the Ohm had made out a good case for consideration by the next Conference and Recommended the matter being |a|d before it. Thanks having again been given to Sir Joseph Ward an adjournment tp 4be wharf was made. At three o'clock the visitors left, and themembfrf of the deputation raised a hearty on the train moving off.