FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1017, 13 July 1911, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

THE PROPOSED RATING AREA. KAIRANGA COUNTY OPPOSED TO INCLUSION. Mr P. Hennessy, Chairman, and Mr J. A. Nash, a member of the Foxtou Harbour Board, waited upon the Kairauga County Council on Tuesday afternoon in reference to the County being included in the latiug area of the Foxton Harbour Board. Mr Hennessy, in addressing the Council, referred to the formation oi the Harbour Board prior to the constitution of the present Board. He referred also to the struggles this Board had made to get the wharfages, which had eventually

resulted in the Board deciding to endeavour to purchase the whart for ,£20,000, the offer made by the Minister of Railways. To raise this sum it was necessary to create a rating area. This Council was not represented on the Board, and at a recent meeting it was decided that the Kairanga County was interested in the development of the district, and should be included in the rating area. It was asked that this Council should strike a rate of i-yoth of a penny iu the ,£, equal to ,£125 per year. The rating area was required as security to enable the Board to buy the Government out. Revenue for the past ten mouths had been over ,£2OOO. Mr Hennessy at the same time going into financial details regarding wharfage, ships’ dues, pilotage, etc. Mr Nash also spoke upon the subject. He pointed out the advantages of the port to the whole district, as advantageously affecting the cost of the necessaries of life, and with improved facilities at the port freight costs could still be reduced. If the rating area was struck, and it must be to get the loan, the whole work would be greatly facilitated. He expressed the opinion that the Horowheuua Council should also be included, and understood that Mr Hennessy would wait upon the Council at its next meeting. It was necessary for Kairanga to be included, otherwise how could Palmerston and Feilding be included ? If the present proposal was not agreed to the Council would no doubt oppose the Bill before the House, but it was hoped the Council would agree. He said there was but little likelihood of any rate being collected, but it must be struck to get the loan. Alter the deputation had withdrawn, two or three meml, :rs of the Council expressed themselves in favour of the proposal. Cr Mayo moved that the Council should join in with the proposal. He pointed out the great advantages possessed by water carriage, and said that in doing this they were only helping themselves. Whether they agreed or not they would be included in the long run. The proposal was seconded by Cr Wilsher, who also expressed himself in favour of the proposition. Cr Collis expressed the opinion that the Council could not vote on a question like this without consulting the ratepayers. On the motion being put it was lost, those in favour of it being the chairman and Crs Mayo and Wilsher.