FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 701, 21 December 1909, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MR NEWMAN URGES THE CLAIMS OF THE BOARD.

The Chairman of the local Harbour Board has received the following copy of letters sent to the Hon. Mr Millar by Mr Ed. Newman, M.P. Mr Newman, who has since conferred with Mr Millar, states that a reply will be forwarded in the course of a few days “ The Hon. J. A. Millar, “ Minister of Railways, “Wellington.

“Sir, —Referring to the draft of a clause dealing with the purchase of wharfs by Harbour Boards, which I handed to you some time past, I shall be much obliged if you will favour me with your opinion of the proposal contained therein. As you are aware, the question of the approaches of the Foxton Wharf is a very prominent one in the district, and the Harbour Board is most anxious to have some scheme; agreed upon as between the Board and the Government, so that the matter may be considered by the people directly interested without further delay. In the event of such a scheme being approved by the Government, I presume the value of the wharf would be settled by arbitration. I should be glad to have your opinion on this point also. “ I wish further to request cn behalf of the Board, that the wharfages collected from Levin and Company’s wharf should be handed to the Board for expenditure on harbour works, which are urgently required. You will remember that the Government had no part in the erection of this wharf, and as the foreshore is admittedly the property of the Harbour Board, it is only a matter of common equity that the wharfages derived therefrom should be paid to the Board. I am, therefore, hopeful that you will see the justice of this suggestion, and will recognise that the conditions with regard to Levin and Co.’s wharf are not the same as apply to the railway wharf which was built by Government. The provision of some finances for the Harbour Board, in view of its responsibility in connection with keeping the port safe for shipping, is urgent, and I beg respectfully that you will give the matter your careful consideration. I sincerely hope that some plan may be arranged by which the Board will be enabled to acquire the wharves, without loss to the Government.—l have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Edward Newman.”