FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1005, 10 February 1912, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

* ORDINDARY MEETING. The ordinary bi-monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held at Palmerston North on Thursday. Present : —Messrs P. Hennessy (chairman), A. J. Gibbs, B. R. Gardener, G. J. Hardford and J. A. Nash. secretary’s report. The secretary reported the amount to credit at Bank of New Zealand at ,£362 ns id. Since January Ist ,£122 15s gd had been I received and placed to credit, made I up as follows : Pilotage ,£29 14s 6d, rent Te Wharangi sections ns 3d, wharves contributions to road £2l, river lighting £3 10s, sanatorium £2, flaxmill sites £5. Accounts amounting to £s6 *9 3 yd had been paid since last meeting. The Beach rents are not coming in as they should, the month’s grace has expired and it should not be necessary to send second notices. Applications for transfers have been received as follows : From P. Robert to W. Turner, lot 6, from P. Robert to H. G, Hammond, part of lot 7, from Sanson and Bowater to J. Hopwood jun., lot 33. Mr G. J. Scott wishes to relinquish section 22 sanatorium ; Mr G. Watchorn notifies he intends to let section 26, sanatorium, lapse, and the Primitive Methodist Trustees wish to relinquish section 64, Te Wharangi. The transfers from P, Robert to W. Turner and from Sanson and Bowater to J, Hopwood jun. can be properly made. The question as to whether a tenant can divide his section as asked in connection with lot 7 should be carefully considered by the Board. The tenant has paid the rental for the whole section and now asks to be allowed to transfer half—there could be no objection to the transfer of the whole section —but it is very difficult to keep a correct record ot lea-.es it traffic in parts of sections is allowed, besides the establishing of a precedent. If the Board agrees to the cancellation of leases for sections 22, and 26,sanatorium it will be necessary for the tenants to return them lor that purpose. The question of survey is constantly cropping up, and although the Board has not accepted liability in this connection it may be well to consider whether the tenants should be asked to contribute half the cost, and have the work done. Had the Board been able to do it in the first instance the upset rentals would probably have been increased. The question of telepoue service to the pilot station is still unsettled and requires attention. It has been explained to the Department that a deputation would probably be visiting Wellington shortly, and deal with the matter. Respecting dredge, Messrs Niven and Co. Ltd., cf Napier, have given an estimate for a suction dredge, but will require fuller details. A sketch plan and estimate of cost of a jetty has been obtained and is attached hereto. The matter of further dealing with the proposed Enabling Bill for the purchase of wharf requires consideration. Application was made to the Police Department re flaxmill refuse in the river ; an inspection was made by an officer of the Department and the Harbourmaster, but it is suggested action should be taken by the Board under the Harbours’ Amendment Act. TRANSFERS OF SECTIONS. Dealing with the applications for transfers it was decided that the following applications be approved : From P. Robert to W. Turner, and from Sanson and Bowater to J. Hopwood jun. On the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr Gibbs, it was resolved that this Board cannot approve the transfer of parts of any sections at Te Wharangi or Sanatorium, but approve of the transfer of the whole of lot 7 from P. Robert to G. Hammond it so desired. In connection with the application to have the leases of certain sections cancelled it was decided on the motion of Mr Gardener seconded by the Chairman, that this Board cannot grant the applications ot Messrs Scott, Watchorn and Primitive Methodist Trustees regarding the cancellation of the leases held by them, and the property of the Board. TEI.EI’IIONE SERVICE. The matter of the telephone service was left to the deputation to deal with when it visits Wellington. THE DREDGE. Messrs Niven and Co. advised that a dredge suitable lor the Foxton river would cost approximately and it was decided on the motion of the Chairman seconded by Mr Harford, that the matter of buying a dredge for river be held over for the present as finances will not at present permit paying lor dredge. The Chairman stated that the New Plymouth Harbour Board had a dredge that would probably be suitable, and it was decided on the motion of Mr Gibbs seconded by Mr Nash, that the Chairman and Mr Harford be authorised to visit New Plymouth to inspect dredge and get all information in regard to same. survey. The Chairman reported that from information he had received he believed an offer had been made to carry out a survey for a certain sum, and it was resolved on the motion of Mr Gibbs seconded by Mr Gardener, that the work could be done for the sum stated, and the tenants will agree to pay half the cost, the Board will have the work carried out.

THE JETTY, A sketch plan of the proposed jetty and an estimate of the cost of same was put before the members. The estimate was based upon the assumption of being able to obtain iron rails from the railway department free for piles and stringers. The Chairman stated that the Inspector of Permanent Way had interviewed him and he believed there was a very good prospect of the rails being supplied free. It was decided on the motion of Mr Harford seconded by Mr Gardener, that providing the rails can be obtained from the Government, specification be prepared and tenders called for the erection of a jetty according to plans, to be left in the hands of tbe Foxton members to arrange, providing tenders do not exceed estimate. EMPOWERING BILE. The consideration of further steps in connection with the Empowering Bill was left over until next meeting, a special meeting to be called if deemed necessary by the Chairman. THE BEACH ROAD, The tenants at the Heads had asked that a certain deviation be made in the road at present in course of construction and an estimate of the extra cost was laid before the members. It was decided that the matter be again referred to the tenants and then left in the hands of the Chairman and Messrs Barber and Gibbs with power to act. An account of 2s nd was passed for payment and the meeting terminated.