FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1012, 19 October 1912, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

SPECIAL MEETING.

A special meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held at the Council Chambers yesterday. Present :—Messrs Heunessy (chairman), Nash, Wood, Harford and Gibbs. The main business was to further consider an application from Messrs Hopwood, Ltd., tor lease of part of the foreshore lor erection of a wharf and bulk stores,

A draft lease was submitted by the chairman, and the matter was fully discussed.

Mr Nash suggested that a lease should be granted tor 21 years at a rental of for the first seven years, for the second, and for ihe third, with duplication of wharfages, etc., if the Board obtained control of the railway wharf, or ,£3O and ,£4O without duplication. In the course of the discussion, Mr Nash said Foxton did not appear to make any effort for progress; three years had passed since the Board first came into existence, aud nothing had been done, aud it appeared to him hardly worth while attending meetings.

Mr Wood pointed out that a mistake had probably been made in letting the foresbore to the West Coast S.S. and Trading Company at so low a rental, and the Board, while not opposing progress, should carefully consider applications in view of future extension of wharf accommodation. Mr Gibbs was in favour of encouraging enterprise, and dealing with the application on sound business lines.

Mr Henuessy said that probably a mistake had been made in granting the West Coast S.S. and Trading Company’s lease at so low a rental. At the same lime it was done with a view of encouraging ioreign business, and also in anticipation of considerable revenue from wharfages. The Company had paid odd for this last year, aud would have paid much more had it been able to get the vessels alongside their vvharl. It was eventually decided, on the motion ot 1..'..: .ash, seconded nv M.r Wo.C, Hop-

a".,; :, Lie... ; ■U ‘ - ' e b- '-.e lur a teiui 01 2i ycaia, uic reulai tor first seven years to be ,£lO, the second £2O, and the third £32 ; subject to the Harbours Act aud order ot the Governor in Council ; wharfages to be charged until lessees app’y for declaratory judgment at tUeir own expense.

Messrs Nash, Wood and Harford voted for, and Messrs Hennessy and Gibbs asked to have their votes recorded against the motion. MOTOR TRAEEIC AT BEACH. The matter of motor traffic at the Beach was mentioned. The secretary said there could be no doubt that the Beach was mainly supported by visitors from outside ol h'oxton, but it could not be given up without control. It had been reported that on Sunday week it was dangerous to walk along the beach on account of motor cycle traffic, which almost amounted to racing. Ihe horse racing had been practically checked, but it was almoit impossible for the Harbour Master to deal with the new evil. This was only mentioned with a view to avoiding probable serious accidents. It was resolved that the police be asked when possible to check this. PROPOSED JHTTV, No information was received in connection with the proposed jetty, and it was left as previously decided, viz. “ That when was placed with the Board, and the rails obtained specifications would be prepared and lenders called.”