THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1506, 5 February 1916, Page 3

THE FOXTON WHARF.

DISCUSSED BY PALMERSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. A special meeting of the Palmerston N. Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday evening, for the purpose ot considering matters in connection with the Royal Commission which has been set up to go into the question ot the desired acquisition of the Foxton wharf by the Foxton Harbour Board. At the invitation of the chairman, Mr J. A. Nash, the Palmerston representative on the Foxton Harbour Board, addressed the meeting in regard to the acquisition of the wharf by the Foxton Harbour Board. He outlined the work that had been done from time to time. Various departments had been waited upon, also Ministers and different Governments. A short time ago it was hoped that the matter would be settled by arbitration, but to this the Government would not agree, and it was then proposed that a Royal Commission be set up. The Board favoured the Commission, but protested most emphatically to the Minister against the other issues being considered at the same time. The Board hoped that from the representations made this would have been a Commission, purely and simply on Harbour Board matters but the powers that be have ordained otherwise, and railway questions were to be introduced. It was now for the Chamber to consider what action it should take, and such action should be representative of Palmerston N. He had moved at a recent meeting of the Board in favour of a conference of delegates being held, so that it might be arranged that evidence on behalf of Palmerston and other parts of the Harbour Board district might be heard, but his confreres considered that all the evidence requisite was in hand, and did not favour the conference being held. Mr Nash mentioned that the profits from the Foxton wharf were anything from to per year and under the Act all monies derived from this source should be spent on improvements. This had not been done by the Government, and the Board was of the opinion that the absolute control of the wharf should be under its direction. Mr. A. E. Clausen favoured a wharf at the Heads. Mr. Nash stated that the question of a new wharf at the Heads should not be entertained lor a moment. In any case the Government would not give the necessary permission. Mr E. H. Crabb then moved the following resolution: —That the Chamber reaffirms its former decision that in the public interest the Foxton wharf should belong to the Foxton Harbour Board, inasmuch as the present position is a decided obstacle to the progress of this town and district, owing to the fact that the profits derived from it have not been expended in terms of the Act by the Railway Department to improve the maintenance of the river as a port, and that the executive of the Chamber be requested to procure evidence in support of the above resolution and submit same to the Commission.

Mr. F. J. Nathan seconded the motion, and said it was absolutely necessary in the interests of the district that the wharf be acquired, as the present position was absolutely ludicrous. “We should not only demand the wharf, but endowments as well,” said the speakerMessrs F. de J. Clere and F. G. Haydon pointed out the delays in the delivery of goods owing to boats being hung up in the river. The treatment local merchants were subjected to were little short of shameful.

Mr A. E. Clausen drew attention to the increase of 5s per ton in the freights on coal through Foxton, on account of tne bar. It was not right that local consumers should be saddled with the extra cost in this way. The speaker said as a result of this extra charge coal merchants were receiving their supplies now via Wanganui. Mr E. H. Crabb. speaking in reply, said he could substantiate what had been said in regard to -coal. Things had gone from bad to worse, and merchants had begun to fight shy of receiving supplies from Foxton. The dairy factories and flax mills were feeling the pinch worse than anyone, and some factories iu the vicinity of Foxton were actually bringing their coal from Wellington because it was cheaper. A few years ago Wanganui had adopted a policy of improving its harbour, and it was now reaping the fruits ot its wisdom. Half of the trade of Palmerston came through Wanganui. If facilities were provided Foxton would receive this, and the coal imports from the South Island would come this way also. Mr Crabb’s motion was then put and carried.

In regard to the extension of the Sandon tramway, it was decided on the motion of Mr Nathan to take no action in the matter, and the question of linking up the Main Trunk line was discussed in committee. A suggestion by Mr Seifert that the local press be asked to draw the attention of the public to the desirability at the Commission was agreed to.