Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1905. SOME LOCAL REQUIREMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3511, 18 April 1905, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1905. SOME LOCAL REQUIREMENTS.

The present nidnieiiij when dii eler. ; tihn i!5 ilhhiiileht tor the choosing of those in whose hands will rest the guidance of the destinies of Foxton for another two ysArg; seems to its an ap ; propidath h'ne hi Winch fo drftv ttidfe draw nLßilliOh lb some local matters that need attention; It niay Be interesting to learn the Opinions of candidates fof the Bffices df either mayor of colthclllor on the policy to he pursued by Foxton’s civic representatives. While all will agree that the moribund council has wdt lted well hi Hie ifitel’eStS of the ratepayers; pdpillaf dplfritoH must Still adiliit that much more might have been accomplished. Regrets are yam, however, so we turn to the future with renewed hope, _ drid trust that a rejuvenated body df City Father's may Confe into beihg imbilfed with a keeti Sense df theft reSpdnsibilities Id theft Constituents. In the present state of Foxton the Borough Council is its only local representative body, and through it must come the first move in any matter fdf the public well-being. Just here we may inteL polate a remark that it is to be hoped the businaSs pdf lidri df tile edrrininnity will before long consider the advis ! ableuess of forming a Chamber of Commerce to watch over the many interests that lie outside the functions of the local governing body. For tlid present, however the iterdiigli CdiblcO is the Citizens’ only official iridiltlnplecd and in selecting its personnel electors would do well to consider Which df the candidates seSni best fitted to inangiifate a policy of progress, tempered, of course, with prudence. A necessity of first importance is a good supply of wholesome water fdf household visej with sufficient for fire extinguishing purposes also. Following that must come, sooner or later, a drainage system for the more populous part of the borough. Mention of street improvements, too, opens up a vista of many thoroughfares still awaiting attention. More outside the beaten track of muni* cipal regard, perhaps, are the questions of wharf extension and river improvement ; yet we feel sure that the favourable consideration of Councillors would add a weight of influence that must tend to secure the attainment of these important aids to the prosperity of the town and district. The trade of the port ot Foxton has increased very considerably of late, but facilities for working vessels remain the same as have existed for years. It is not an uncommon thing for steamers to come in and have to wait for a berth, thereby losing a tide and entailing considerable loss to owners. Another 300 feet of berthing accommodation would obviate this. The conservation of the river bank in places where it is in danger of crumbling away should be urged upon the Government. This, besides protecting riparian lands, would, by confining the water to its proper channel, secure the mainten. ance ot a workable depth of water by the action of the scour caused by the current, and would avoid the need for expensive dredging. The planting cf all the river banks with willows or other suitable trees would not only prove useful but also serve to beautify the locality. Of first importance, however, is the planting of all thos>' places most threatened by the flood waters. Then again, at the Sanatorium, of which we have heard a good deal lately, more planting of lupins or sand grass is required. A tew years ago one or two private individuals took the matter in hand and did some work in this direction. Its good effect is now apparent to anyone who visits the spot, but it wants extension. We understand that either the Government Tourist Department or the Marine Department might be prevailed upon to assist; but at present, apparently, no one thinks it his business to prefer a request for such aid. There are a tew other things required yet before Foxton can be said to have reached the Elysian state ; but for the present we commend those mentioned above to the sober consideration of municipal election candidates and burgesses.