THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 947, 28 January 1911, Page 3

THE FOXTON WHARF.

INTERESTING DISCUSSION BY HARBOUR BOARD. FURTHER DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. At Thursday’s meeting of the Harbour Board the question of what further action the Board is lo take in reference to again approaching the Government for financial assistance in order that it be enabled to carry out necessary improvements to the river and bar was discussed at considerable length. The matter was brought up by Mr Wilson, who said he had asked Mr Edward Newman, the Member for the district, to be present in order that he might know exactly what the Board’s intentions were, and also give all information he had in his possession that might be of service to the Board. The chairman and others had given very valuable information before the Railway Committee, and as a result the Committee had brought down a very favourable report in reference to the purchase of the wharf at a price to be fixed by arbitration. He was of opinion that the time was now opportune to consider lurther steps.

Mr Newman said he had attended the meeting in order to ascertain the Board’s intentions in reference to further action. The Railway Committee had recommended the sale of the wharf to the Board at a price to be fixed by arbitration, but the Minister of Railways was opposed to this. Mr Millar had suggested the formation of a rating area and the striking of a rate, and if this were done then the Government would favourably consider giving endowments to the Board. If the Government would do that it would, of course, improve the Board’s position materially. He (Mr Newman) would be glad to assist in every way possible the carrying out of the Board’s wishes. In conversation with Mr Millar the previous day, he had mentioned the subject of the purchase of the wharf and told him that the price asked was altogether too high. From the conversation which followed, Mr Newman said' it gave him the impression that he was desirous oj meeting the Board in a fairly liberal spirit. Mr Newman said he thought the best course would be for the chairman ami Board members to again interview the Minister. Another point indirectly bearing on the subject was the connecting link of railway with Martou Junction. By taking this in conjunction with the wharf purchase proposals the sympathy of an enormous number of people would be enlisted. The people right up to Ohakuue are interested if the connection is made, but not otherwise-• He was of opinion that the Harbour Board should send delegates to the meeting of representatives from the different local bodies to be held shortly to discuss the question ol the connecting link of railway. Mr Millar had opposed this connection being made on the ground that it was not in the interests of his Department that goods should go through Foxton. As lar as Mr Newman could see the feeling of the House was in favour of the application. The evidence given by Mr Hennessy and others was very valuable, and the majority of the Members of the House thought that a very good case indeed had been made out.

The chairmen said he thought the time was now opportune for again interviewing the Minister. There was no doubt Mr Millar would ignore the Committee s report and suggestions. In connection with the proposed connection at Greatford, he did not think, when the Minister opposed the proposal on the ground that it would interfere with the revenue of the railways, that he had looked fully into the matter. There was very little difference in the distance between Marton and Wanganui and Marton and Foxton, and at the present time goods were not sent to Wellington by rail, but to Wanganui and there shipped. The Minister had stated that by goods going through Foxton it would be taking revenue away from the railways. This was not so, as at the present time the goods were going through Wanganui. All it would mean would be that instead of being railed to Wanganui the goods would be sent through Foxton. He would be pleased to form one of a deputation to go down and wait on the Minister. Personally he did not think the people about Greatford would agree to be included in a rating area. Mr Gardener said the most essential thing they must strive for was a distinct promise from the Minister that he will give endowments if the Board agrees to a rating district. He did not hold with the pessimistic view exposed by some people that the ratepayers would not agree to a rating district. If the Board could show

some advantages to be obtained, then he did not think there would be any difficulty in getting the people to agree to a rating district. There was no doubt that in a few years the revenue from the Foxton wharf would increase enormously. What was wanted at the present time was a definite promise from the Minister. Referring to the Greatford connection, Mr Gardener said that if that were taken in hand at the same time no doubt Palmerston would oppose it, and perhaps both would be lost- He was of opinion that it would be better to take one thing at a time.

Mr Nash said the Prime Minister had distinctly told them that tlw were no endowments he could give them, and he did not think it was any use still asking for endowments if there were none to give. There was no doubt that unless the Board kept on badgering and fighting with the Government they would never get their rights. They must not be parochial, but should look at things from a broad point of view. He considered the only way out of the difficulty was to purchase the wharf. Mr Wilson said they had been told by the Minister for Railways and by the Prime Minister that they would get no assistance whatever until a rating area had been formed. If they decided upon a rating district the question was the area to be included it. There was no doubt the place that would benefit most of all would be Foxton, and he had no doubt the ratepayers in that place would agree to be included in the area. He was afraid the area would be a very small one, as it was very questionable whether the people outside would get any greater benefit by the wharf being extended. If the ratepayers at any distance from Foxton could be shown that it would benefit them or that the rate would not be collected, then, no doubt, they would agree, but not otherwise. Referring to the question of giving an endowment, Mr Wilson said that as there was no land available for the purpose, then the Board should endeavour to get portion of the wharf as an endowment. The Minister says the structure is worth ,£22,000, and he thought it would be a fair and reasonable request to ask that half of this amount be given as an endowment. Mr Tolley thought that a way out of the difficulty would be to erect a wharf at what is known as Rush Flat, about a mile from the Heads, and then construct a light tramway into Foxton to bring the goods by. The wharf to cost, say, ,£6OOO and the tramway -£3OOO. The Chairmau pointed out that the Minister had distinctly stated that he would give no facilities to the Board for carrying out such a proposal. The Government would refuse permission to construct the tramway.

Mr Tolley, continuing, said that they were not dealing with an individual, but with the people as a whole. To lollow the course suggested by him would save shipping a great deal of time and expense. Mr Wood said there was no finality about the discussion. Reterriug to Mr Tolley’s suggestions, he said to carry out same it would be necessary to get a Bill through the House. They must not run away with the idea that it was only the Minister they were dealing with. In all cases the matters would have to go before the House. The Minister is only looking after his Department. He rightly says that if he gives Foxtou their wharf then he will have to do the same thing in many other places. What he considered the best plan would be to ask for a grant of so much per year, the same as Nelson.

Mr Newman ; That has been tried.

Continuing, Mr Wood said he was not aware that an endeavour had been made to get an annual grant. In any case everything would have to go before the House. He wished them to understand he was not speaking on behalf of the Government. He approved of the suggestion to go down to Wellington and endeavour to come to some amicable arrangement.

M. aid not think Mr Tolley’s suggestions were much good. He strongly favoured a deputation being formed and interviewing the Minister.

Mr Wilson said Mr Barber, the representative of the Awahou Riding on the Mauavvatu County Council, who was also present, had considered the question ot a rating area, and was of the opinion that the ratepayers in his Riding would not agree, to be rated unless the district was a fairly extensive one.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Wood, seconded by Mr Stiles, that the members of the Board, together with Messrs Newman and Field, M’s.P., be a deputation to again wait upon the Minister for Railways in reference to the purchase of the wharf.