FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 25 May 1909, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Council Chamber last night. Present t Messrs Gower (Chairman), Wood, Gardner, Nash, and Stiles. Mr Newman, M.P., was also present. The Chairman said that as Mr Stiles was now Mayor of Foxton, he would take his (the speaker’s) seat on the Board, and the first business would be to elect a new Chairman.

Mr Nash proposed, and Mr Wood seconded, that Mr Stiles be elected Chairman. —Carried.

Mr Nash, on behalf of the people of Palmerston, thanked Mr Gower for the work he had done to further the interests of the Board. He had conducted the meetings well, and had always done his best. He moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Gower.

Mr Wood, in seconding the motion, said that he had been pleased to have had the pleasure of working with Mr Gower. It was a very difficult matter to get a uew Board like Foxton. where they were hampered in the matter of finance, into working order. Considering the difficulties Mr Gower had had to work under, it was pleasing to note the manner in which the Board’s business had been conducted. He was sorry that Mr Gower was not able to retain his seat on the Board, and sincerely hoped that at some future time they would again have him on the Board to help to guide them in the best interests of the Harbour Board, Foxton, and the surrounding districts. Mr Gardener said that Mr Gower’s position as first chairman of the Board was not an enviable one. There had been plenty of work, but owing to the state of finances, very little satisfaction. Mr Gower had conducted the Board’s business in a thorough manner and he regretted very much that they were losing him. His successor, Mr Stiles, had a great field to work on and he hoped that the members with the assistance of Mr Newman would be able to bring the Board to a successful issue.

The motion was carried by acclamation. Mr Gower thanked the members for the assistance they had given him in getting the Board into working order. They had been very unfortunate in their meetings, but now that they had decided on night meetings he thought they would have no difficulty in getting a quorum. He referred to the proposed new freezing works, and said that if they were established at the Manawatu Heads they would go a long way towards easing the burden of the Harbour Board as they would be revenue producing. He urged upon the tnembers to do all they could to ensure the works being erected there. Mr Stiles, in taking his seat as chairman, thanked the members for the honour they had conferred on him and the business proceed ed.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read from the Greymouth Harbour Board, offering dredge for sale. Received. From same in reference to nonpayment by State Coal Mines of royalty and special rate on coal. — It was decided on the motion of Messrs Nash and Wood, that this Board will consider any suggestions made to assist the Greymouth Harbour Board in dealing with the matter.

From the Secretary of the Harbour Association of New Zealand, re affiliation.—lt was decided on the motion of Messrs Stiles and Gardener to affiliate and forward the subscription mentioned, one guinea, from first year. From C. R. Smith, Dunedin, offering pumping plant for sale.— Received.

From Bank of Australasia, Wanganui, in reply to a communication from the Board, asking if there are any funds lying to the credit of the defunct board, advising that that branch had no records of the late Foxton branch and suggesting that the Wellington branch be communicated with. It was decided to write to the Wellington Office.

From the Commissioner of Crown Lauds, re section 332, Block 1, Mt Robinson, leased to Messrs Robinson Bros., at per half year, advising that the rent had been paid up to June 30th. —It was decided that application be made to the Department of Lands for the amount of the rent from date of gazetting of Board to June 30th. From All Saints’ and the Presbyterian Churches, re section on which to erect churches. Mr Stiles said that he considered one site should be sufficient. Mr Nash said he would be quite prepared to give the necessary site but was of the same opinion as Mr Stiles, that one would be sufficient for all denominations. He suggested leaving the matter over until next meeting. Mr Gardener said that he would not support any free sites. Considering the state ot the Board’s finances, they were not in a position to give a free site. The churches should be able to afford to pay £1 per year rent. Mr Wood concurred. The matter was held over until alter the members of the Board had inspected the sections. Accounts amounting to ,£23 17s 6d were passed tor payment. The Treasurer reported that the amount to the credit of the Board in the Bank of N.Z., was £l4 is 2d. The pilotage fees for the month to date amounted to ,£23 10s gd, representing 17 trips of

various vessels, totalling 1883 tons. He estimated the fees for the month would amount to /30. The report was adopted. Correspondence was read from Mr Newman M.P., in reference to the proposed new freezing works. The Chairman asked Mr Newman to explain more fully all particulars re same. After hearing which, a lengthy discussion was held in committee. The Board decided to take no action until after the proposed site had been inspected. The matter of rents paid to the Railway Department by various lessees along the river bank was left in Mr Newman’s hands to endeavour to arrange that all future rents be paid to the Board. Mr Nash suggested the appointment of an Executive to deal with any matters of importance between the ordinary meetings, and Messrs Stiles, Wood, Nash and Gardner were appointed. It was decided to make application to the Borough Council for the use of the Council Chambers tor holding meetings.

It was decided to ask-Mr Moore to state his fee for drafting a set of by-laws for the Board. Mr Newman asked if the Board would authorise him to get any legal advice, etc., in reference to the formation of the Board that he may require from Mr Moore.

It was decided to instruct Mr Moore to give Mr Newman any information or advice he may require.

The motion dealing with the leasing of sections, of which Mr Nash had given notice to move at the previous meeting, was held over until the Board visited the Heads this morning.

The meeting then adjourned till to-day. On resuming at noon to-day Mr Nash’s notice of motion was again brought forward for consideration, after having been submitted for legal opinion. Mr Moore was in attendance and also submitted a legal opinion on the question of leasing sections. Briefly he submitted that it was open to doubt whether the Board had power under the Act, to lease certain occupied sections without first submitting same to public auction or tender, Mr Nash stated that until this point was placed beyond doubt he would bring on his notice of motion at next meeting.

Mr Moore was authorised to draw up a draft of lease to be submitted to the next meeting of the Board and it was resolved that the said lease should contain the following conditions : —The leases to be for i r years with right of renewal at revaluation for 11 years, and a further term on the same conditions; the holdings to be quarter acre sections; building of residences to be compulsory within twelve months from date of lease ; rents to be payable yearly in advance ; all buildings to be insured iu the joint names of the Board and lessees.

The secretary was authorised to obtain prices from licensed surveyors for a detailed survey of the seaside resort. It was decided to insure the Board’s buildings and plant.