The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, March 10, 1910. HARBOUR BOARD AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 811, 10 March 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, March 10, 1910. HARBOUR BOARD AFFAIRS.

Thk first animal report of the Foxton Harbour Board was presented at the meeting held on Tuesday evening last, and disclosed a satisfactory state of affairs. It justified the action of the late member for Manawatu (Mr J. Stevens) in putting the Bill constituting the Foxton Harbour Board through the House, even though the measure was shorn of its principal source of revenue, i.e., wharfages. Had the Bill been withdrawn because the promoters could not obtain all they desired at the first time of asking, it would have put the movement back several years. As we pointed out at the time, the constitution of the Board converted irresponsible persons into a responsible governing body which could treat with the Government on a very different footing from what had previously obtained. The passing of the measure has enabled the Board to master the whole position and they can now approach and treat with the Government in an official capacity. Sparring is a policy that must now be abandoned in favour of a more dignified course. The outlook for the future in regard to the Board’s complete control of the port is very promising and it is within the bounds of possibility that the representative gentlemen constituting the Board will be able to arrange, within the next twelve months, a basis of agreement with the Government in respect to the wharf and wharfages. When that vital point is finally settled a policy can be laid down affecting the fairway in order to facilitate and encourage shipping. In the new Chairman the Board possesses a gentleman who has a thorough grasp of the requirements of the port, and it goes without saying that he will use his best efforts for its advancement.