FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 452, 4 March 1909, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

First Meeting.

The first meeting of the above Board was held in the Borough Council Chamber on Tuesday afternoon. The notice convening the meeting by the Marine Department was short, which pievented two of the members, viz., Messrs Nash (Palmerston) and Wilson (Manawatu County Council) from attending. An apology for absence on account of sickness was received from Mr Hennessy. Those present were; Messrs W. T- Wood (Palmerston), B. R. Gardener (Levin), Cr Tolley (Feilding), and Mayor Gower (Foxton). The returning officer (Mr Alf. Fraser) notified the personnel of the Board, and asked for nominations for the position of Chairman. Mr W. T. Wood proposed that Mayor Gower be elected chairman. In doing so he stated that it would take outsiders some time to acquire a local knowledge ot the port and it would mean extra expense to the Board if a member outside the Harbour Board district were appoiuted to the position, besides a member outside the district could not very well devote the time necessary to the position, as least, for the first twelve mouths. The posiliou would require much time, energy and ability. Until the Board were iu possession of a return showing the financial position it would be necessary to curtail expenses. In his opinion no one was more entitled to the position than the Mayor of Foxton. He regretted to learn that Mr Hennessy, who had taken such a keen interest in the formation of the Board, would be absent horn the Board meetings for a time, the Board would feel his loss very much. He said he had to learn a good deal about the Board affairs and would have to depend largely for information upon local members. Personally, he. had the welfare ot the port at heart and would do his best to further the interests of the Board which was of great importance to the surrounding towns. Mr Gardener had pleasure in seconding the resolution. With all due deference to Mr Gower, he said perhaps no one was more entitled or fitted to occupy the position as first chairman of the Board than Mr Hennessy. He also regretted his departure during such au important stage in the Board’s history. He hoped that Mr Heunessy would fill the position next term. He also referred to the necessity of having the port under proper control and of its importance to the surrounding towns. He was anxious to learn the value ot the endowments and other matters.

Mr Tolley supported the resolution, All the districts represented on the Board were greatly interested iu the port more especially since the Government had acquired the Manawatu Line. He said it was necessary to have some other outlet aud inlet other than the railway. He referred to the quantity of wool shipped through Foxton. He was also agreeably surprised to notice the growth cf Foxton during recent years. Speaking to a member of a shipping firm he had been informed that Foxton would be preferred as a port to Wanganui. He would be glad to know the financial position as the district he represented was opposed to rating for revenue purposes. The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr Gower, in thanking the members for the honour conferred, said he was placed in an awkward position as it was not his intention to seek re-election as Mayor, and iu that case his seat on the Board would be vacant. He did uot know that he was justified in accepting the position. He would, however, take the chair for the time being. Mr Wood moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Hennessy for the interest aul energy he had displayed in the formation of the Board, and hoped that his contemplated trip abroad would benefit him iu health and that he would have a safe return, and that a letter be forwarded to him to that effect. The resolution was carried unanimously. It was decided to hold over calling applications for Clerk to the Board until a statement of the affairs of the Board was presented at next meeting. Mr Moore, who has been actively connected with the formation of the Board consented to act as clerk pro tern. Mr Wood said it would uot be wise to undertake any obligations until the approximate income had been ascertained. They desired to be a live body and uot a Board in shadow. He felt sure that each member would further the interests of the Board, It was decided to hold the next meeting on Monday, April 12th, aud then to decide the date on which monthly meetings will be held in future. A vote ot thauks to the chair concluded the meeting.