THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1019, 20 July 1911, Page 3

THE FOXTON WHARF.

PROPOSED RATING AREA. DISCUSSED BY PALMERSTON COUNCIL. The question of the purchase of the Foxton wharf by the Foxtou Harbour Board was mentioned at the last Palmerston Borough Council meeting by the Mayor. In his reference to the subject he said the price was but that amount could not be obtained till a rating area had been struck for the purpose of security for the loan. Full details in connection with the scheme were published after the recent conference in Palmerston. The Mayor said it was proposed to include the Kairanga and Horowheuua counties in the rating area, and he pointed out that there would be no need to collect a rate, revenue providing for all expenses. To give effect to the proposal a Bill would have to be passed and representation on the Board would be given to each contributing body. At the next meeting of the Board a decision would be come to on the subject. Cr Haydon thought that the proportion of charges was not quite fair; he thought Foxton, which would receive all the benefit, should be rated higher.

Cr Stubbs asked whether the purchase of the wharf would mean any greatly increased revenue to the Board or whether there was a possibility of ever forming a decent harbour at Foxton ? Also whether the rating would be limited to the purchase of the wharf ? —The Mayor said that it was quite possible to make Foxton a suitable port, and as far as the rating was concerned he, personally, would only be in favour ot a rate for the purpose of the purchase oi the wharf. Cr Clausen asked whether there was any proposition for deepening the bar, permitting big boats to get in.—The Mayor said that the improvement of the bar was a portion of the scheme. Cr Haydon said that dredging, etc., would easily deepen the channel, but he expressed the idea that perhaps this was but the thin edge ot the wedge, and that, in future, further rating powers might be asked for ; the only safeguard was to make Foxton’s proportion much higher than the rest of the contributing bodies. Cr Armstrong said they should go into the matter cautiously. The temptation to spend money extensively on the bar would be great, as it was quite possible that Foxton could get a better harbour than Wanganui at a less cost than the latter town intended to incur. The matter was eventually held over till next meeting, the Mayor to obtain further information in the meantime.