FOXTON BEACH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1067, 9 November 1911, Page 3

FOXTON BEACH.

MEETING HEED AT PALMERSTON. A meeting of Foxton Beach residents was held in Dawick’s Buffet, Palmerston, on Tuesday, to consider what steps should be taken lor the general protection of the public against conditions that render boating and bathing unsafe. There was an attendance of about twenty, and the Mayor presided. In a letter, Mr Dulresne olfered the full use of a piece of ground as a site for a lifeboat shed. The chairman said the first business should be the principle of purchasing a lifeboat and the necessary appliances. The Foxton Harbour Board had previously given permission lor the erection of a jelly, but had also discussed the matter of complications that might arise from the erection of a private pier at the Heads. The dwellers at the Beach bad not in the past been backward at helping themselves, and he thought they might look for assistance in the way of a £ for £ subsidy. The chairman endorsed the proposal contained in a letter received Irom Mr Belt, that a series of benefit concerts should be held. Mr W. T, Wood said that it had been suggested in newspaper correspondence that it a jetty had been erected the recent accident would not have occurred. It was not the Harbour Board's fault, however, that the jetty was not there. As the Chairman had pointed out, the Board on a former occasion had given permission for the erection of a jetty. The speaker was in favour of providing a jetty, also a lifeboat under the pilot’s charge. Either the pilot or his deputy should be appointed to control the river. A ball or flag signal should be provided for the purpose of warning those who might go over the bar in boats. He would give the matter under consideration ail the assistance in his power. Besides raising funds by means of concerts, they might be able to obtain a grant from the Minister of Marine.

Mr C. Dahl said something must be done, so that in the event of an accident those in the vicinity should be able to give assistance. The recent fatality should serve as a warning that, in the future, those who lived at the Beach should have a means of restoring the apparently drowned. There must also be a boat in readiness lor any emergency. With a twenty-foot lifeboat and appliances in the proper position, it would be possible with a knowledge of handling the craft, to reach the middle of the stream in three minutes. The speaker submitted a plan of a boat-shed to hold a lifeboat on a wheeled carriage, and provided with a room for first aid purposes. Mr Wood spoke ot having the telephone wire ever ready tor any message regarding an emergency. Mr P, Dauiell said every credit was due to Messrs Dahl and Mouusey for bringing the matter prominently before the public. The want of tuition in methods ot resuscitation was painfully apparent at the recent disaster.

Messrs E. R. B. Holbeu, C. Small, and C. Drausiield also spoke ou the need lor life-saviug equipment as a system of control. The following resolutions, after being duly moved and seconded, were carried unanimously:—(l) That the Harbour Board be approached with a guarantee of towards the construction of a wharf, and that the Board be asked to carry out the work forthwith ; (2; that the Board’s surfboat be fitted as a lifeboat ; (3) that the Board be asked to apply to the Marine Department for a subsidy for the contemplated work ; (4) that the harbourmaster have complete control of boat traffic, with a deputy to act in his absence, and that signals be hoisted from lime to lime as a guide concerning the conditions of the river ; and (5) that passengerboats be liceused and the maximum number to be carried be painted 011 the boats.

The chairman stated his willingness to be a member of the deputation to wait ou the Minister of Marine.

Ou the motion of Mr Monnsey, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. D, Clemett, postmaster at Poxton, for the trouble he took in getting the staff together, and keeping the telephone open on the Sunday of the recent catastrophe. Mr Monnsey moved affirming the principle that an association be formed to promote instruction iu file-saving. Mr Dahl seconded the motion, aud it was carried. The following committee was set up:— Messrs C. Dahl, J. Monnsey. PI. R. B. Holbeu (.Palmerston), P. Daniell, J. Senior (Beach), G. H. Stiles aud J. K. Hornblow (Poxtou '.

All present were constituted an ambulance committee, and Mr Hepworth was accorded a vote of thanks for having offered to give tuition in first aid. A motion was passed expressing the deep sympathy of the meeting with the relatives of those who lost their lives in the recent boating disaster. The sum of /.Too was guaranteed in the room, and it was decided to ask the Harbour Board to receive the committee at a special meeting, to be held in Talmerston, it possible. Benefit concerts are to be arranged in the interests ot the fund. Mr Mouusey was elected chairman, and Mr Holbeu secretary, of the committee, and the meeting .ermiuated with votes of thanks to the Mayor tor presiding, and to Messrs Hawick Bros, for the use of the room.