FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 463, 29 June 1909, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Council Chamber last night. Present: Messrs G. H. Stiles (chairman), W. T. Wood, J. A. Nash, B. R. Gardener, J. G. Wilson and H. Tolley. The Board’s solicitor, Mr Moore, was also in attendance. Correspondence was read from the Commissioner of Crown Lauds in reply to a request from the Board that the rent paid to the Department for bection 332 Block 1., Mt. Robinson, up to June 30th, should be handed over to the Board advising that his iustructious were that future rents were to be paid to the Board, and that the next instalment will fall due on July xst. —lt was decided that a further application be made to the Minister for Bauds, for the rent from the date of the constitution of the Board to June 30th. From the Marine Department, in reply to a request that a portion of the rents paid to the tenants of that Department be handed ever to the Board, advising that the Department had only received the rents up to 31st December, and as it had control of the Harbour up to March 31st, the rents up to that date are strictly speaking, payable to the Department. The matter of adjustment had been held over pending the adjustment of the rent of the signal station reserve at Carnarvon, which had been paid to the Land’s Department up to the end of June. From the General Manager of New Zealand Railways, advising that there was no truth in the rumour that the Railway Department intended diverting the coal trade from the Foxton port to the Manawatu Hue. There were also several letters from Mr Newman on this subject, and a vote of thanks was accorded him for his efforts in this connection.

From Messrs Moore and Barnard, advising that the sections on the Marine Reserve must be let as soon as possible by public auction or tender, in the manner provided by the Foxtou Harbour Board Act and the Harbours Act. From the same, forwarding draft of lease for the Beach sections. From the Secietary of the Wanganui Harbour Board, advising that in 1883 the Board’s Castlecliff leases were offered at auction. Since that time all other leases have been let by tender. From Mr Snow, reporting a flaxmill for depositing rubbish in the river.—No action was taken.

The Secretary reported the amount to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand was £5 os 6d, and he estimated the pilotage (or the month at £2O ss, making a total of ,£25 5s 6d available.

The number ot arrivals during the month was 14, with a total tonnage of 1620 tons, against 16 for April, 1834 tons, and 19 for May, 2123 tons. The shortage for June may be accounted for in a measure by the laying up of some of the regular traders for the annual overhaul. He suggested that the Harbour-master be asked to give a weekly report as to the state of the bar and river, same to be sent to the local and Wellington papers; also that Mr Newman be asked to arrange for a deputation to meet the Minister for Railways again in reference to the wharf and wharfages, and that arrangement be made to finance the cost ot a report as to river improvement, with a view to inducing more traffic to Foxton. Accounts amounting to £2l 14s were passed for payment. Mr Bock was appointed Returning Officer of the Board. In reference to the suggestion in the Secretary’s report that Mr E* Newman be asked to arrange a deputatition to meet the Minister for Railways in regard to the wharfage dues, Mr Nash said that it would be advisable to first get the back rents, etc., that they were applying for, and leave the wharf-

age question over. He did not think it was in lire best interests of the Board to ask for both these at once. He would prefer to see other minor matters definitely settled first. Mr Wood agreed with Mr Nash. He said that if they asked for too much at once they might get nothing. His advice was to get the rent and other questions settled first, and then make further application for the wharfage dues. , It was decided to take no steps at present. The Board went into committee to deal with the question of foreshore leases. The Board rose at 10.10 p.m, ,