FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 811, 8 March 1910, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

CHAIRMAN’S FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.

The following report will be presented to the Foxton Harbour Board by the Chairman at the annual meeting this evening:— “It is my privilege to present to you to-night the first annual report of the Board, which has now been in existence for twelve months. It is now a matter of history the difficulties encountered in the formation of the Board, and the unsatisfactory nature of its finances, and while we are still working under very great disadvantages, the members of the Board have good reason to be satisfied with the work that has been performed during the twelve months. One of the first duties devolving on the Board was the effort to secure what is now recognised by all as its rights, viz., the wharfages, and after repeated representations to the Government, through Mr E. Newman, M.P., it was recognised that some other course would require to be taken to bring this matter more into prominence. The Minister of Railways was, therefore, invited to visit Foxton, inspect the wharves, and the whole matter was laid before him, A strong representative meeting was held, and everything pertaining to the best interest of the port was forcibly put before him by Mr Newman, chairman of the Board, and others. Unfortunately nothing satisfactory in the nature of a promise was made by the Minister with regard to wharfages, but he agreed to consider a proposal for the purchase of the wharves if such was made, which has been done. An officer to report on same was arranged by letter, but through some bungling by the Department this is still in abeyance, but we expect this to be at any moment, and the Board will have something tangible to work upon. Another matter of very great importance, was the setting in order of the leases at the Beach, and we are very pleased that this matter has been satisfactorily dealt with, and 44 sections have been sold by auction at satisfactory rentals for a period of 33 years, and the balance, 31, are to be sold on 10th March. There is no doubt that this portion of our reserve is going to become a popular seaside resort, and hopes are entertained that a better approach to it will be made by the various Local Bodies interested. An Order-in-Council is about to be gazetted, making the Board a leasing authority, and this will simplify the leasing of further sections when required. During the year the railway department has made over to the Board the rentals collected from a number of flaxmills, representing about £25 per year, but against this have taken for railway purposes the land at present leased to Messrs Levin and Co., and McMurray, and all efforts to have this land again vested in the Board have at present failed. A wharf is now in course of erection for the West Coast Trading Co., (McMurray and C 0.,) and the Board anticipate a certain revenue, in addition to that received in rental from the wharf site. During the year a permanent pilot has been engaged, Mr F. Lawton, and I have every reason to believe that this department will be carried out in a very satisfactory manner to shipping. The river is at the present time in a very fair state and little difficulty is experienced in negotiating the bar and river, but the Board is helpless to effect anything in the nature of premanent improvements in this respect until such lime as they are in possession of all the revenue. The Board has been put to considerable expense with legal and other matters in its first year’s working, and it is satisfactory to note that we close the year to 31st December with a credit balance of £123 xos Bd, but it has to be borne in mind that all the revenue derived from leasing sections at the Heads, has been paid in advance, and will not be received again for 12 months. The Board will require to observe the strictest economy for the coming year, in order that shipping may not be inconvenienced as very little margin is allowed for emergency work. During the period Ist April, 1909, to 28th February, 1910, the inward cargo amounted to : Merchandise, 13,163: coal, 15,027; timber, 18,709 ft. Outwards : Wool, hemp etc., 7,323: cattle > 333: sheep, 2,555 ; and the wharfages including ships dues amounted to £2232. Arrivals: 229 vessels, representing 27,089 tons register ; pilotage, £334 6s 9d. The largest vessel crossing the bar during the year was the Waimea, 206 tons. It is a matter of regret to us all that we have not accomplished more, but the Board, I am sure, can reasonably be satisfied with what has been performed. It has been a year full of routine but necessary work, and while we cannot point to many great improvements, we have laid the foundation for a successful year ahead of us, which we have every reason to believe will be fulfilled. That the Government will give us the opportunity to purchase the wharves at a fair valuation very soon, there can be no doubt, as the initial steps of making a report thereon has already been promised by the Government, and this matter will engage the attention of the Board ■ during the coming year. In conclusion, gentlemen, I wish to thank you for your attendance during the year, and the attention you have given the Board’s affairs, and also for the assistance given to me during ray term as chairman, and I would especially mention the efforts made by Mr % Newman, M.P., in the interests

of the Board, ou all occasions, which have been greatly appreciated . ’ ’