Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1905 THE PORT OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3528, 30 May 1905, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1905 THE PORT OF FOXTON.

When interviewed on Saturday dt Palmerston North by a deputation from Foxton requesting that extended wharf accommodation be provided, Sir Joseph Ward promised to look into (he matter. He remarked, Hdvv i ever, that no promise could be given , Cabinet was besieged with requests from all parts of the eplony, tif Which it could only be possible to deal With R small proportion. The Minister said that requests before the Government from various districts would require, ifsitisfied, £2,800,000, It does not follow, however, that every one of those requests has as much claim for fulfilme it as its fellows, and in the case of an important shipping centre such as Foxton undoubtedly is, justice would s;em to urge that its requirement sln ild receive some consideration. We d > not think there has been any very extensive expenditure of public m mey in this district in recent years, and so it cannot be urged that we have received our full quota of such as compared with other districts. B it the davelopment of (he shipping trade ’of (lie port is a matter of moment to a very large area of country, seeing that heavy goods for #many inland centres come through here. It may be argued th it if there is at limes a congestion of work on the wharves it is because the shipping is not regulated properly; but this is easily disposed of, Coal boats, which form the majority of those visiting the port, have to take advantage of the spring tides to work most advantageously, and thus there are at times more vessels in port than can be berthed, necessitating serious delay and 1 iss. If the berthing space were increased these boats could come in, discharge, and get away again for another cargo on the same tide. Wehave been at some pains t« discover the volume of trade passing through the port for the year ended 31st March last, and have obtained the following figures, which give the number and tonnage of ships entered inwards, with (approximately) the amount of cargo brought in and taken away. For the year 1904-5 the arrivals were:—

In addition there were shipped away daring the year 654 cattle, 11,473 sheep, 57 pigs, and x horse. By far the larger portion of the sheep were sent away during the last quarter, and in April alone of this year further shipments totalling 7980 fleeces left here for other parts of the colony. The major portion of-the imports consisted of coal, while the exports were practically confined to hemp and wool—principally the former. Coal is largely imported) for Government purposes, and this portion pays no dues, but the remainder of the cargo passing over the wharf is revenue producing, and must mean a very considerable sum annually. We have not been able to ascertain figures for previous years, so that we are unable to give a comparative statement showing the pi ogress which we are assured has taken place; but it should be quite evident that the time has arrived when shipping facilities should be extended. If the Railway Department cannot undertake the work the people of the district should seriously consider the advisableness of obtaining control of the port. We do not think a Harbour Board would find any difficulties in its road so far as revenue is concerned, and it would be enabled to go in for loans, if necessary, to carry out those works which common sense dictates should be undertaken to place Foxton on that footing which its natural advantages of position bespeak for it.

Month Steamer Sailers Tonnage icjof April 15 — 1876 May 15 1859 June *7 - 1665 July 19 — 2302 ■ August iS — 2210 ■ September *7 — 1997 October 18 - 2278 November 19 — 2190 December Y I 2129 i 705 January 22 — 2929 February ' 21 — 2880 March 5 1 3559 Total 223 2 27,870 Taking the four-weekly periods from April ist, 1904 to March 31st, 1905, the volume of imports and exports provides the following interesting (able of figures Imports Exports TONS TONS 2,2X0 434 1,825 438 1.895 321 2,177 ... 221 2,462 ... 178 2,097 ... 303 1.744 ... 288 I.675 354 2.723 546 2,226 539 2,699 ... 580 2,714 642 2.959 630 29,396 .. 5.473