FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1039, 4 May 1912, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting ot the Foxton Harbour Board was held at Palmerston North on Tuesday, when there were present: Messrs Heuuessy (chairman), Nash, Gardener and Gibbs. Mr John Robertson, M.P., was also in attendance. skckktary’s kkport. The secretary reported that the annual balance-sheet showed that the general account started with a credit balance ot ,£206 is rod, and Closed with 6s rod ; and ot the grant of ,£250, is lod was expended, leaving that account in credit xßs 2d, of which has since been expended in a hand dredge recommended by the Marine Fngiueer, and trying to remove the shoal opposite the coal bins, which so tar has not been a success, owing possibly to the eonciete nature ot the river bed at this point. The number of vessels entered during the year was 201, representing 23,434 tons, as against 220 vessels and 25,888 tons for the previous year. The difference was possibly caused on account of the strike. The harbourmaster’s reports on the bar and river have not shown much variation from month to month, being generally on an average with previous years, and the year’s working may be taken as fairly satisfactory. The amount to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand was os 3d. The receipts lor the current year to date were made up as follows : Balance at Bank, December v .. ,

6s rod ; pilotage, 9a , wharfage, £l : lighting, rents, ns 3d ; reserves and sanitorium, ,£SO ss ; flaxmill

sites and wharves. £2O ; donation to road, £44 5s ; total, £616 10s rod. The expenditure was, rente's 13s 4b, pilot £66 13s 46, secretary £l7 3s 4d, stores £l4 14s 96, legal expenses £37 2s nd, insurance £4 16s 3d, dredge, etc., £x6 16s 2d, bank and sundries los od, total £x66 10s 7d. —The report was adopted. SURVEY OE SECTIONS.

In connection with the proposed survey of sections, which had been discussed at the previous meeting, the chairman said that a letter had been received from Messrs Hankins and Fitzherbert, on behalf of Mr P. Robert, threatening legal proceedings if a survey was not carried out. He considered it would be a good thing to have the work done, the cost of same to be borne equally by the Board and the tenants.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Nash, seconded by Mr Gardener, that the tenants and Messrs Hankins and Fitzherbert I be informed that the Board is prepared to subsidise the cost ot a survey at the Heads, and asking what proportion of the cost the tenants are prepared to pay. the secretary. Mr Nash said that the balancesheet aud the secretary's report disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs. They showed that the Board’s affairs had an upward tendency, and that it was making progress. This condition was iu a great measure due to the care devoted by the chairman, about whose work he would have something to say at a later stage of the proceedings, aud to the exceptionally good arrangements from the secretarial point of view. He moved that the Board express its appreciation of the g.od work performed by the secretary. Mr Gibbs seconded the motion. The Chairman also eulogised the splendid work of the secretary. Mr Gardener said the Board recognised that the secretary had done a great amount ot work iu the interests of the Board, aud when it got psssessiou of the wharf they would be in a position to recompense him for his services, The motion was carried, and tbe secretary briefly thanked the members tor passing the resolution. THE PROPOSED JETTY. A reply was received from the Secretary for Marine iu reply to the Board’s application for the necessary rails required in the building of a jetty, advising that the Department does not see its way to give the rails, but that same cau be obtained on ihe usual terms. This matter was left to the deputation that is to interview the Minister of Railways to deal with. EOCAE GOVERNMENT BIEE. The circular letter from the Minister of Internal affairs in connection with the appointment ot delegates to represent the district at the Wellington conference was received. It was decided that the Chairman aud Mr Gibbs be appointed as t..c representatives of the Board to attend the meeting to be held at Palmerston on the 9th instant for the purpose of electing the repre sentatives to attend the Wellington Conference. REPORT ON DREDGE. Mr Harford reported as follows : —“ As promised I went to New Plymouth aud had an interview with the Chairman aud Secretary of the Harbour Board re dredge. Both thought it would be useless to apply to the Board as the small dredge is fully employed preparing the ground for the larger one aud will be putting iu full time for the next three mouths. She is fitted as a suction dredge aud does the work very effectively iu sand and small shingle but would not be much use for mud. Auother difficulty would be getting her towed to Foxton as the Insurance Company makes such a fuss. We could apply to the Board if you thought fit, but seeing that they refused Waitara there is uot much chance ot the application being granted. Buying 1 think would be out ot the question, for, independently of the iact that the Board at present does not wish to sell, the dredge itself is pretty ancient. She was originally fitted up as a clutch aud has since been converted into a suction and has been in the Board’s possession for over 30 years. harbourmaster’s report.

The Harbourmaster reported uuder date April 30th as follows : —“ There is very little change in the river aud bar since my last report. There is a depht on the bar of roit at highvvater springs aud 7ft 6iu at high water neaps. The bank that has formed abreast of the fishermen's point has not changed, but there has been sufficient water at high water springs for vessels drawing nine feet. The river is iu good order right from this point up to the wharl. Sixteen steamers crossed inwards and out words during the month,”

chairman’s honorarium. On the motion of Mr Nash, seconded by Mr Gardener the Chairman's honorarium was fixed at £25 per annum. Mr Gardener said he hoped Mr Hennessy would accept same, as it was only right that a Chairman should be recompensed in some degree for the time spent on the Board’s business. Then again perhaps the Chairman that followed Mr Hennessy would not be iu a position to give his time ab solutely lor nothing and it was only right that there should be a fixed honorarium.