THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1086, 19 April 1913, Page 2

THE FOXTON WHARF.

THE PROPOSED PURCHASE.

representative MEETING TO BE CALLED.

At a meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board held at Palmerston North on Thursday, the following report of the work of the past year was submitted by the Chairman, Mr P. Hennessy “During the past year further efforts have been made to accomplish the purpose for which the Board was created, viz., the acquisition of the wharf and the ultimate improvement of the harbour and shipping facilities. During last session, deputations - visited Wellington and interviewed members of the Local Bills Committee and the House, with the hope of getting the necessary Bill before Parliament to borrow for the purchase of the wharf, but owing to the rush of business, and the change pf Governments and the probable opposition of members to the BUI. in its present form, it was decided to. withdraw it lor the time being. The thanks \ of the Board are due to, Messrs Robertson and Newman, M’s.P., for their assistance in this connection. Since then, the present Minister for Railways has stated a price at ,£28,700. The Honourable the Premier has been interviewed by the Board’s solicitors in Wellington. The latest advice Is that the whole position will be brought before Cabinet, and it is still hoped some ' satisfactory arrangement can be made. Failing this, the best policy I can suggest is to adopt the idea of Mr Buick, M.P. for Palmerston, and petition the House during next session. I hope this course will not be necessary, and that Cabinet will see the fairness of the Board’s request to control the wharf. If it should become necessary to petition, I hope the Board will have the whole-hearted support of the adjoining districts. I feel satisfied it must be to their interests also to see the port under local control. Failing this, I have in my mind the suggestion that the Board should ask for authority to borrow, say, £IO,OOO, and build a whart pf its own. I am sorry ihe Board has not been able j to complete this matter during its term of office, but no scone has been left unturned, and it is hoped the way is made somewhat easier for the new Board.”

Mr J. A. Nash, in congratulating the chairman on his report, stated that Mr Hennessy had put in a nutshell all that had transpired as regards The wharf. He realised, however, that something had to be done, and did not think for one moment that the Board should give up fighting for what it was entitled to. Unless they had continued activity on the part of the members, and clearly showed the Government that they were not going to be put off, as in the past, they could not hope to get anything in the future that would be to the satisfaction of the district as a whole. The speaker did not know whether members of the Board realised the very great importance of the port of Foxton to Palmerston. Personally he was pleased to note that during the past year or two, a far better feeling existed between Foxton and Palmerston as regards the port. It should be clearly understood that in all matters dealt with by the Board for the improvement of the wharf and river, they might look for the fullest sympathy of the people of Palmerston. It was a noticeable fact that Foxtcu harbour facilities came up for discussion in many quarters of Palmerston. This was a clear indication that Palmerston was doing its best to help the Board along. In connection with the proposal that.the chairman had made, the speaker would be very pleased to see Palmerston take the matter up in the way suggested, and thought that the time had arrived for immediate action—other members of the Board might take a different view. He also considered the chairman should call a meeting, of all local bodies connected or interested in the Harbour Board, and have a large and representative deputation formed to meet the Minister for Railways and Mr Massey. • They did not want to wait till the House met, but should get to .work straight away. After that was done, Mr Nash thought the House would realise the. seriousness of the position. ■ To buy the wharf for ,£27,000 dr £28,000 was the height of absurdity. If the Board paid ,£IO,OOO or £12,000 he would not object, because it would leave a substantial amount lor the carrying out of river improvements, etc. The balance-sheet was a healthy one. for a local body, but the game was not worth the candle.. There was a credit of £465 odd alter four years. The Board had been a thrifty one in its operations, had worked the secretary at a remuneration which was not fit to be offered any man, and here they were carrying on in the eyes of this Dominion as the Foxton Harbour Board, and were supposed to be turning over large sums in the year. The question should be put to the Minister : “If you don’t want to sell the wharf, will you object to our building one of our own." Continuing, Mr Nash stated that he was disappointed because the Board had hardly made any progress. However, he was determined to see the proposal before them settled

The secretary reported that a letter had been' received by the Board, stating that the matter was to be brought before the Cabinet, and asked whether anything ought to be done in’ face of that. Mr Nash replied that he *

not going to sit still and see noth’ ing done. . Mr W. Barber agreed with Mr Nash, and stated that he would like to see a petition signed to go with the deputation. The Chairman explained that if the deputation was unsuccessful, the petition could. then be placed before the House.

Mr Nash moved that a meeting of the Harbour Board be called for May 22 at Palmerston North to consider the position of the Board, and arrange tor a representative •deputation to the Minister for Railways and Premier to en- ' deavour to arrive at a settlement for the purchase of the wharf; and that the following local bodies be invited to send delegates to the meeting: Horowhenua, Kairahga, and Manawatu County Councils; Levin, Palmerston North, Foxton and Feilding Borough Councils; Levin, Palmerston, Foxton and Feilding Chambers of Commerce ; Palmerston Stock Auctioneers’ Association’; and Messrs D. H. Guthrie, 'J. Robertson, F. Newman and D. Buick, M’s. P..

Mr A,! J. Gibbs seconded, and the motion was carried.

Mr Nash also explained that the Board was in possesssion of valuable information as regards the wharf, from its solicitors.