THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1039, 4 May 1912, Page 3

THE FOXTON WHARF.

PROPOSED PURCHASE BY HAP B() 1J R BO A R D,

DEPUTATION TO WAIT ON MINISTER.

At Thursday's meeting of the Harbour Bcnrd the matter ol the purchase oi the wharf was further discussed.

The Chairman, iu introducing Mr Robertson, member for Otaki, who was present for the purpose of making a proposal to the Board, said that the member had evinced a great deal of interest iu the matter. He was energetic, was working hard and had got a good grip ot the position. The Chairman said that he believed the Board, with the assistance of Mr Robertson, had a good chance of getting the wharf iu the near future. Mr Robertson said that he had looked carefully into the matter of the purchase of the wharf, and had attended the meeting principally to impress on the members the necessity of taking immediate action in the matter. He took it that the general provisions of the Bill that was prepared last year were satislactory, and the first step that the Board would require to take would be to approach the new Minister in respect to the price ot the wharf. He suggested that a deputation should wait on the Minister of Railways in connection with this matter as early as possible. He would be only 100 pleased, if the Board desired it, to arrange for a deputation, and also to see that the Minister was supplied with all information iu connection with the matter, before the deputation waited on him. In regard to the difficulty met with in respect to a rating area Mr Robertson said that the Wanganui Harbour Board had been faced with the same difficulty, but this had been overcome by getting permission Irom the Minister ot Marine, to have a Commission set up to go into the question, the finding of the Commission to be final, and the aiea so decided upon to be embodied in the Bill. He had reason to believe that it the Foxton Board decided to follow this course the Minister would grant permission to have the Commission set up. Both these questions should be discussed and if possible some decision arrived at at the present meeting. Mr Nash said he didn’t think it would be advisable to have a Commission set up as suggested, because to a large extent the proposed rating area had been agreed to. The only real opposition was from Feilding and he considered the Board was strong enough to go through with it in spite of Feilding. The Bill should be proceeded with without delay, and a deputation to the Minister for Railways, to be arranged for by Mr Robertson, should go to Wellington within a fortnight.

Mr Gardener said the matter of the price of the wharf should be gone into again, and if possible, a reduction obtained. He did not lavour setting up a Commission in regard to the rating area, as he considered it would be better to do what they could by conciliation. He didn't think there would be the same objection !rom Feilding this time. The first thing that should be done was to get a bedrock price for the wharf and with the possibility of a substantial reduction a great many of the obstacles would be reproved. He was satisfied that once the matter was fully explained those who previously opposed inclusion in the rating area would be agreeable to come in. He agreed that the deputation should waste no time in waiting on the Minister. The Chairman said there was a difference between the position of Foxton and that of Wanganui. Ail that was required at Foxton was really a guarantee ot the interest and sinking fund on a loan to purchase the wharf.

Mr Robertson said that after hearing the opinions ot the members he agreed that the simplest thing would be to leave the Commission out, and get the different local bodies to voluntarily agree to be included.

On the motion of Mr Nash, seconded by Mr Gibbs, u was decided that the Chairman arrange, through Mr Robertson, M.P,, tor a deputation of Board members to wait on the Minister .of Railways as early as possible.

Mr Robertson said that in the meantime he would put all particulars betore the Minister, who would then be in a position to give the deputation some definite answer.

Mr Gibbs moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Robertson tor the interest and trouble he had taken in connection with this matter. The Chairman seconded the motion saying he fully recognised that Mr Robertson was using every endeavour to push the thing along, Mr Robertson thanked the Board lor its vole or thanks, and said that it was his duty to do the best he could lor tne district, lie was particularly interested in this matter because he felt that boxton was at present labouring under an injustice. He had hopes of getting the Bill through during the coming session,