FOXTON HARBOUR HOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 600, 23 November 1909, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR HOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Council Chamber last night. Present: Messrs G. H. - Stiles (chairman), Gardener, Wilson and Nash. The Chairman stated that the morning after the last monthly meeting he had received a letter from Mr Tolley, apologising for being unable to attend the meeting and Mr Tolley had also rung him up that day and asked for leave of absence. It was pointed out that according to the Act, Mr Tolley had forfeited his seat, as he had been absent from four consecutive meetings without leave of absence, and it was decided to write to the Feilding Borough Council, asking them to re-appoint him. The Chairman stated that the reason why applications bad not been invited for the position of secretary was that the present Secretary (Mr Bock) had signified his willingness to act until the end of the year, and thus complete the first financial year. —The Chair-

man’s action was endorsed. The Board’s solicitor, Mr Moore, acting under instructions from the Chairman, had obtained opinions from other solicitors (1) as to the manner in which the Board could dispose of the sections not sold at the auction sale last month, and (2) the disposal by the Board of the licenses of the foreshore. Their opinions were exactly the same as those given by Mr Moore, viz., that the unsold leases can only be sold by public auction, and licenses of the foreshore can only

be given with the approval of the Governor in Council. Mr Moore said that the Board could apply for an Order in Council, declaring it to be a leasing authority under the Public Bodies’ Leases Act,

1908. If that were granted the Board would have power to let its lands (either foreshore or reserve) for a term of two years or longer, provided the leases were made terminable on six months’ notice or less, and this without the necessity of auction or tenders. In regard to the foreshore, the Board would be safe without going to the trouble of -having itself declared a leasing authority, to let tenants use portions of the foreshore, provided it was made clear that this was entirely at the tenants’ risk, and that the tenants took all responsibility of applying for the approval of the Governor in Council under section 131 of the Harbours Act.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Nash, seconded by Mr Wilson, that the necessary application in terms of the solicitor’s letter be made for an Order in Council declaring the Board to be a leasing authority under the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908. In reference to Messrs Coley and Bock’s application for a lease of portions of foreshore occupied by them, which had been held over from last meeting, it was decided on th® motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr'Gardener, that this Board grant the present lessees of flaxmill sites the use of same for a period of five years at an annual rental of .£5, providing the lessees accept the responsibility of applying for the approval of the Governor in Council under section

131 of the Harbours Act. In reference to Messrs W. Ross and Son’s application for permit to lay pipe through one of the sections on foreshore, held over from the previous meeting, for which permit the sum of £1 per annum was offered, it was decided that this section be leased on the same terms as other flaxmill sites.

The Secretary reported the amount to credit at the Bank of New Zealand was ;£n3 28 4d. Since last meeting the sum of ,£B6 8s 3d has been placed to credit, being ,£24 10s 3d for October wharfages, and ,£6l 18s for rent of sections.' The pilotages for the present month to date total £2O 17s 6d, representing 1670 tons. Accounts amounting to ,£67 17s

2d were passed for payment. The Chairman reported on the result of the deputation which waited on the Minister in Foxton

recently, and moved that the Board, acting on the suggestion of the Hon. Mr Millar when in Foxton, do now ask the Minister if he will favourably consider the purchase by the Board of the wharf at present in use. If the Minister agrees to this proposal will he state in what way the price is to be arrived at, whether by arbitration or valuation, and also what terms he would agree to for thq payment of same. The Board would be glad if he would give an early reply to their request.—This was seconded by Mr Gardener, and carried. It was decided on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by the Chairman, that, the Secretary write to the Minister and ask if he is prepared to hand back to the Board the foreshore at present under lease to Messrs McMurray . and Co., Ltd., which was lately vested in the Railway Department by Gazette. The land in question, which was pointed out to the Minister when visiting Foxton, not being used for railway purposes. # Thirteen applications were received and dealt with in committee for the position of harbourmaster and pilot, and after a lengthy discussion the final selection was held over, pending a reply from the Marine Department. As the day for holding the next meeting of the Board was ) December 27th, it was decided / that no meeting be held nest ' month, unless there is very important business to attend to, and A ' at the Chairman and Treasurer flh . empowered to pay accounts*