FOXTON’S FUTURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1393, 1 May 1915, Page 3

FOXTON’S FUTURE.

MATTERS BROUGHT UNDER THE NOTICE OF THE PREMIER. OUR MEMBER INTERESTED The following letter, forwarded by the member for the district, Mr W. H.EField, M.P., to the Premier, will be read with interest by our readers : "Wellington, April 15, 19 1 5 • “The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Wellington. "Dear Mr Massey,-—Herewith I enclose a clipping from the Mamawat 1* Herald, of Foxton, written by a stranger, giving much food for reflection to those who have the interest of the Foxton district at heart. "The progress of Foxton is le tarded by three main causes. These are, large holdings of land fit for cutting into small areas, and capable of much more improve merit, the sand drift nuisance, and the control of the Foxton wharf by tbe Railway Department. THE SAND DRIFT MENACE. "With reference to the drifting sand, I am glad to say that some private owners are now taking steps to deal with it effectually in that district, but I have again to repeat what I have said over and over again inside Parliament and out, that where drifting sand areas owned by private individuals are being neglected the Government should take them over and plant them.

THE FOXTON VVIIARI

With reference to the Foxton wharf, the position is still little short of a scandal. The Railway Department obtained the wharf for the price of a few bundled pounds, or nothing at all, I am not sure which, and are now asking about .£30,000 for it. They base their claim on the fact that they have been netting something like .£1,500 a year from it during the last iew years. Most of this money should have been spent in improving the river, and had the wharf been 3u the hands of the Harbour Board, or the Government it would have had to be so spent, under the Harbours Act, but the Railway Department have done practically nothing to the river, and have simply put the gross receipts iu their pockets, called it net earnings, and by capitalising it have worked up the value of the structure —which is fast falling into decay—to ,£30,000. That is to say, the more they have neglected the river, or the more money they have misappropriated which should have gone to improve the river, the higher is she price which they now ask from the unfortunate people in that district. This matter is likely presently to be investigated fay an Arbitration tribunal, when it is hoped that the district and people may receive at least some measure of justice. CLOSER SETTLEMENT. “With respect to large holdings of land, 1 shall be glad if you will have instructions given to have this matter investigated without delay, I am myself utuble to supply particulars of the holdings in the district, but I believe that if acquired by the Government there is a large area of land at Momoa which would provide a magnificent public asset. Much of the land is, I believe, tine agricultural and fattening laud which is iree from flood, Of that which is subject to flood from the Mauawatu River a considerable area is in grass, and the balance is covered by flax. From experts I learn that if this flax were cut in the proper season of the year, and otherwise cared for, and if the flax area were extended by planting, the productivity oi this land would probably be more than doubled. Furthermore, there is much to be done iu the way of improving the drainage system of the block, and of other adjoining land.

“If the three matters I mention were to receive due attention by the Government, Foxtou would become a thriving port, and the district round it one of the most flourishing and productive in the Dominion. At present it is hopelessly kept back by the causes above mentioned. The people there are becoming alive to the fact that they are not receiving a fair deal, and I am asked by numbers of them to submit their difficulties to you with an earnest request that they receive attention at an early date. “I suggest that an expert officer of the Crown be despatched to the district for the purpose of reporting to you what laud cau be profitably purchased and olfered for settlement.

“I may remind you, too, ol another need of this district. I refer to the Levln-Foxton-Great-ford deviation of the Main Trunk line. This, however, is a national need as well as a district one, and must become an accomplished fact within the near future. In any case I will be dealing with it on a future occasion.—Yours faithfully, W. H. Fieuj.”