FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1048, 25 May 1912, Page 3

FOXTON WHARF.

BOARD MEMBERS WAIT ON MINISTER. PURCHASE PRICE INCREASED. ATTITUDE OF THE RAILWAY DEPARTMENT. Foxton’s harbour, the financial straits of the Foxton Karboi ■ Board,’ aud the Railway Department’s monopoly u! the wharfage revenue, formed tbe subject of a long interview which .L.. .•. Henuessy, J. A. Nash, E. S. Lancaster, B. R. Gardener, and W. T. Wood, had with the Minister of Railways,’ Hon. A. M. Myers, on Thursday. Mr Robertson, M.P., introduced the deputation to the Minister. “ You are the third Minister of Railways before whom we have come cap in hand begging for that of which the Railway Department has robbed us for thirty-four year,” emphatically declared Mr HeHtiessy. That language might be strong, but it was no stronger than Lhe treatment which had been meted out to them by the department, which had driven its iron horse tnrough the harbour, crushing the Harbour Board constituted by the Act of 1879. They claimed the same treatment as the ports of Wanganui, Patea, and Waitara. By this Act they were entitled to ail the revenues accruing from the river, but the Railway Department squatted down on the wharf and took it all. When they approached the late Minister, the Hon. Mr Millar, lie told them to form a rating area, and so provide the ,£20,000 which the department required to be bought out. The department had no right whatever to mortgage the revenue of the God-given heritage 01 Fuxtou’s port. Au act of God had placed the river there uot the department. ‘‘lam here,” he added, ” as nn advocaie lor the rights of the people, and I hope this Ministry will see its way to give it to them.” Mr Nash said, to show the way in which the Board was starved, that for eight or nine months the members of the Board were unable to receive the travelling allowances they were entitled to under the Act. The harbour dues belonged entirely to tbe Foxton Harbour Board. The grant of ,£250 they had received towards river improvements had been useful, and they wanted another grant for the same purpose, Unless this revenue question was placed on a more satisfactory footing the board might as well throw up tbe sponge. Mr Gardener said it was well known that the Department was ntukiug a profit ui ,£2,000 a year out of the port. They could not understand tbe Department getting that revenue out of the port, aud not spending something equivalent in improvements., Mr Wood claimed that the revenues belonged rightly to the port. The amount of shipping could easily be doubled il they could only do something to the river. The Board had to keep a pilot, light the river, aud incur other liabilities, and yet nearly the whole of the revenue went to the Department. Last year 46,631 bales ot flax went out of the river. If tbe present policy was continued, the Board would have to disband, and the port revert to the Government. The Hon. Mr Myers said it was quite clear that the local interests aud those of the Railway Department conflicted. The department was carrying on a large activity at Foxton. aud whoever was Minister of Railways had to recognise his responsibilities to the department. In a matter ot this kind there was always a middle course, aud he saw no reason why the board should be thwarted it the matter was approached in a reasonable manner. It had the option of buying the wharf for £28,700. (The Minister read from a letter). Mr Nash: That’s the first we have heard of that amount.

Mr Heuuessy ; This is the hist time that letter has seen the light, it was addressed to Mr Newman, M.P., wasn’t 11 ? Tne Bill before the House staled ,£20,000, and the Minister accepted it. Mr Newman was very persistent in getting this offer in writing prior to the election, and before the second ballot this came to light. Mr Myers : The amount is board is not desirous of purchasing at that figure ; neither is the department anxious to sell, believing that it is to its own interest to retain contiol of the vvha.rf. You are, however, desirous of improving the present position of the harbour, and I am informed that there is no necessity to spend a very large amount; also, so far as the bar is concerned, it is a very bad one, and workable only lor coal boats at spring tides. Owing to your limited income, 1 think you may approach the Government with a view to placing a sum on the Estimates similar to what you obtained last year. I am sorry I can’t give you any definite answer.

Mr Nash: Are we to understand that the amount fixed is ,£28,700, and that you are desirous of retaining the wharf ? Hon. Mr Myers ; We feel that it is necessary to retain the wharf ourselves tor the railway.

Mr Nash: But the proposed Bill was for a rating area to raise ,£20,000, agreed to by the representatives of the three districts, and also, I think, by the late Minister. The Bill was held over until this year. Now what is the position ? Hon. Mr Myers: The hies disclose ,£28,700.

Mr Nash : Do you advise us tc be quit of the Bill ? Hon. Mr Myers : I don’t tbinl there’s any chance of s; h a Ell passing, because the clepartn ' would oppose it. Mr Henuessy : I would alisvvei that argument by saying that you have no legal standing, and the Act sr. ml - • -ruing must ■’ '■ Rai 1 figM ...... - i --£■ Hon. Mr Myers : I am sorry tc hear such extravagant language, I don’t think you are warranted i- -infnrr t-n You have two inA sl.-, „e. ,ng to the public, and we say mat in the interests o' the people we should retain control over the wharf. On the other band, I see no reason, it a little common sense is used, why matters should uot be adjusted. II possible, I will make a special visit to P'oxton, but my time is limited. Mr Robertson ; If we show you over the signatures of the late Minister, that the basis of the purchase was £20,000, will yon believe it ? Hon. Mr Myers: Certainly, b you show me evidence of the tact, but 1 have nothing before me except the official document giving the figure at ,£28,700. It was agreed that, if possible, Mr Mvers should meet the members of the Board at Foxton, and go into the matter further with them there.