The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, January 10th, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1194, 10 January 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, January 10th, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The Foxton Beach is one o! the most delightful and at the same time one of the safest for surf bathing ou the West Coast, The sandy shore stretches for miles along the coast north and south of the river mouth, and the prevailing winds waft the health-giviag ozone shoreward. Nature has done her share by endowing us with such au ideal resort, and it now only remains for man to make the environment attractive, safe and comfortable for visitors. Some years ago the Government set aside a portion of the laud in the locality as a sanatorium, but when the Harbour Board was reconstituted, the block, with its sub divisions, was banded over to the Board. What little improvements have been carried out in the past, such as tree planting and the growing of sand-binding grass and lupins, has been effected by the sanatorium tenants, backed by a grant from the Marine Department. Up to the present the Board’s time has _ been concerned with setting its house in order aud fighting the Governmeut for control of the wharf and dues. A number of beach teuants, recognising this fact, have formed themselves into a self-constituted committee with the object of carrying out necessary improvements to popularise the seaside, and what they have already accomplished deserves public recognition. The committee consists of Messrs Dahl (chairman), Holbeu (secretary), Mouusey (treasurer), Belt, Bayley, Turner-and W. Dawick. These gentlemen, by their insistent agitation, were primarily responsible for urging the local bodies to raise a loan and construct a road to the beach, which has proved a boon to hundreds of people—aud particularly to Foxton residents. The committee realised that something should be done to minimise the risk to human life of those who sought pleasure in boating, which desire was accenuated by the dreadful drowning fatality which occurred some time since. They pledged their credit to a bank for the purpose of starting a fund for the erection of a jetty at the beads aud then approached the Board for assistance in the matter, which was given, aud now the jetty is au accomplished fact and people can board small craft in safety. All this has not been accomplished by these gentlemen without a certain amount of selfsacrifice aud oppositiou. The committee are now endeavouring to collect a sum of money to purchase a life-boat, to be swung on davits, in order to be brought into requisition if required with a minimum of delay, aud three sets oi life saving apparatus, to be set up in three convenient localities aloug the water front. They also urge the election of a public convenience for temporary visitors aud dressing sheds for surf bathers. The Board is not in a position, financially, to render much assistance, but is sympathetic with the committee's humanitarian objects. We, therefore, make a special appeal to Foxton aud district residents, who have the welfare of the seaside at heart, lor practical assistance to forward the committee’s aims and we can assure our readers that any sums forwarded to the secretary or treasurer for the purposes enumerated will be “thankfully received and faithfully applied.” In conclusion we desire to publicly thank the committee tor the splendid work they have accomplished in the cause of humanity and for the popularising of our splendid seaside resort.