The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1908. HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 390, 28 May 1908, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1908. HARBOUR BOARD.

A conference of representatives of local bodies and chambers of commerce to discuss the proposed Foxton Harbour Board will take place at Palmerston on Thursday, the 4th of June. The promoters of the Bill have sent out the following circular to M’s.P., heads of local bodies and prominent commercial men in the districts undermentioned : Dear Sir, —You are no doubt aware that for some time past energetic steps’ have been taken to form a Harbour Board at Foxton, for the benefit of all the surrounding towns and districts, including Pahiatua, Woodville, Palmerston North, Feilding, Bulls, Levin, Foxton, etc. Under separate cover we forward you a copy of the Manawatu Herald giving particulars of the proposed Bill to be presented to Parliament during the coming session. We are pleased to say that a deputation from here which recently waited upon the Minister, was informed that the Government was favourably disposed towards the formation of a Board, and will grant us certain land' endowments, but that it is not inclined to grant us the wharfages on the same principle as obtains at Patea and Wanganui. We have no doubt, however, that if the influence of all the districts named is brought to bear, these wharfages would be granted as requested. We therefore think it advisable to hold a conference in Palmerston North, and have arranged that same will take place at the Borough Council Chambers on Thursday, 4th June, at 1 p.m. You are particularly requested to attend this conference, as the matter of a Harbour Board at Foxton is of vital importance to

all the above mentioned districts. Invitations have been sent to the following : —John Stevens, M.P., F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P., W. T. Wood. M.P., W. H. Field, M.P., H. B. Ross, M.P., A. E. Remington, M.P., and all County Chairmen, Mayors, and principal commercial gentlemen connected with the above-named towns.—Yours faithfully, P. Hennessy, President.” Palmerston’s Mayor and Chamber of Commerce, together with its leading citizens have already consented to give the subject all the support in their power ; Feilding, we understand, will also support the movement, and it goes without saying that all the other minor towns will fall into line. The whole subject, together with details, will be placed before the conference, and we feel sure that, as a result, the port of Manawatu will be controlled by a properly constituted body, and that the long neglected river and bar will be so improved as to make the local port one of the most important and beneficial to commercial men on the coast.