FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 11 May 1909, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs Gower (chairman), Nash, Gardener, Wilson and Wood. The previous meeting’s minutes were confirmed, and it was resolved that the action of Messrs Gower, Wilson and Nash, at the meeting on May 19th, be endorsed, and also that the records of the meeting held on that date be entered in the minutes of the present meeting. The Secretary reported that the amount to the credit of the Board in the Bank of New Zealand was ns 6d, of which ,£lB ns 6d was for pilotage, and ,£8 for reut of sections. There was a sum of £4. 6s gd due for pilotage, which had been referred to Wellington, making the total pilotage for April £22 18s 3d. No action had been taken in respect of section rents, pending definite instructions as to rentals and terms of lease. Several of the sections were unused, and others appeared to be sub-let. The annual revenue from sections at present rental was £3B. The signal reserve was let at /50 per annum, and Messrs Levin and Co.’s wharves and moorings at Rentals paid to the Railway Department were: Levin and Co., Me Murray and Co., ; O. E. Austin, £g ; and J. Rose, £5. It has been reported by reliable authority that after this month, or at any rate very shortly, the Railway Department does not intend bringing its coal through Foxton. Considerable discussion took place on the latter part of the report. Mr Wood stated that if the rumour was true they could use it as a lever for getting at the Government for the wharfage dues pointing out to them the present state of the finances, and that if this rumour were true it would further cripple same. — It was eventually decided on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Gower that the Railway Department be asked if the rumour re-diverting the coal trade from Foxton had any foundation in fact.

The Harbour Master reported that during last month the depth of water at the Manawatu bar has been ten feet at high water spring tides and 7ft. bins, at high water neap tides- The bar has been sounded frequently when smooth enough, and it has been found ‘ that the channel is working slightly to the north. The river has been very low at neap tides owing to the prevailing strong easterly winds, and the steamers Gertie and Queen of the South have both been stuck. During "the month 16 steamers have entered the port, this number being slightly under the average which is about 20. Mr Gardener brought up the question of date and time of meetings. He considered an improved arrangement should be made than at present obtained. The coach service from Devin did not suit and he thought the Board should favourably consider the question of holding their meetings at night. Mr Wood said that the meetings held at night would be most suitable. At present the Palmerston representatives on the Board had to lose a whole day, whereas if the meetings were held as suggested they would only have to be absent from their business for a few hours. It would also suit the Feilding representative much better. Mr Nash said that under the present condition he thought it would be best to hold the meetings in Palmerston as that locality would suit the convenience of the majority of the members, and they would also be sure of a quorum. The Chairman said that the Act specified that the offices of the Board should be in Foxton. The Secretary read a letter from the Feilding Borough Council asking the Board to change the day of meeting as under present railway arrangements their representative could not attend the meetings on Monday unless he remained in Palmerston from Saturday night. They also suggested that some of the meetings be held in Palmerston, as it would be more convenient for the

majority of the members of the Board. —Mr Wilson said Palmerr-- J ston would be most convenient for him, but if it were decided to hold the meetings at night, he would attend as often as possible, but he could not be as regular as he would liketo. Mr Wood said that they did not have the power to shift the meeting place from Foxton and he moved that the Board’s regular meetings be held at Foxton on the fourth Monday in each month at 7.45 p,m M the next meeting to be held on the 24th inst. Mr Nash, in seconding the mo- ■ tion, said he did not want to take £ the meetings away from Foxton, T though he could carry a resolution if he moved one. The motion was carried. Accounts amounting to £l9 14s were passed for payment. Mr Nash said that an important matter that required immediate attention was the leasing of sections at the Heads. He had noticed by the map that, some of the lessees were holding as many as four sections, and he did not think it should be allowed. They had no , intention of erecting houses on all >-sections, but were holding them for speculative - motives. This monopoly should be done away with, and no person should be allowed to hold more than two sections at the most.— Mr Wood said that he considered lessees 'should only be allowed to hold one section. Mr Nash gave notice to, move

at the next meeting, that lessees of sections on the foreshore at Wharangi having buildings erected thereon, be granted a lease for a term of seven years at a rental of 2os per quarter acre, and lessees of vacant sections be notified that the rent of such sections will now be increased to 20s per quarter acre per annum, and that unless buildings are erected by the various owners within 12 months from date, then such leases shall cease to exist, and will be submitted to public tenders. In the event of buildings being erected within terras of this resolution, then lessees shall be granted a lease for a term of six years to tall in with leases referred to in the first portion of this resolution. In all cases a lessee will only be allowed to hold two quarter-acre sections for each building erected or at present erected. Mr Nash also suggested that no payments be taken until after the next meeting. Mr Wood suggested that the members of the Board should get a launch and go round their properties after the next meeting, which it was decided to do. The Chairman brought up the question of the proposed freezing works, but as Messrs Gardener and Wilson had to get away, this, together with other business, was held over until next meeting.