FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1549, 11 May 1916, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meet in”' of the h oxtuu Harbour Board was held at Palmerston North on Tuesday. Present: Messrs P. .1. Ilennessy (ehairman), J. A. Nash, T. J. Claj.ham, W. E. Barbei-, E. R. Holben, E. R. Jenks, and W. Boek. (secretary). An apology for absence was received from M. «1. Robertson.

The Chairman's report, as follows, was read and adopted : “The year’s transactions (dosed with returns practically equal to the previous year, the registered tonnage in and out being 21,80 G, as against 21,3(10 for 1914, and 25,099 for 1913. Still further efforts have been made to accomplish the object for which the Board was formed, viz., the acquisition of the wharf and its revenues for the improvement of the port. The point reached now is the appointment of a commission, which, it is understood, will meet on the 19th to lake evidence. The thanks of the Board are due particularly to Air W. H. Field, M.P., for his untiring efforts to this end, and to the whole-hearted interest taken by the Palmerston N. Chamber of Commerce, and others who have undertaken to give evidence on the Board’s behalf, and it is confidently hoped the crowning point will shortly be reached."

The balance-sheet disclosed a credit of £7OO 9s 3d.

The harbour master reported as follows : —“I wish to report that there is no alteration in the bar and river since my last report. The channel is still running out to the southward, and very wide at the mouth. There is a depth of 9ft. to 10ft. at high water springs and 7ft at high water neaps. On account of the bar being so bad vessels have only been able to work the bar on neap tides in tine weather; also that 1 have inspected the mills on the river bank at Foxton, but have not been able to do the ones out of Foxton on account of vessels being held up here on the neap tides, but will do so as soon as possible. I find that the millers are still allowing large quantities of stripper-slips to go into the river. On the beach at the Heads last week there were tons of stripper-slips and tow. From what mills it came I do not know. I have advised millers that proceedings .will be taken against them if not stopped.” —The report was adopted. The reference to the matter of stripper-slips being allowed to enter the river, the harbour master was instructed to take immediate steps to stop the practice. Mr Alex. Turner made application for the transfer of his lease at the Manawaln Heads to Mr W. B. V. Pearce, of Rangioln. Request.

granted. A similar request was received from Mr Holben to transfer his residence at the sanatorium to Air J. Walworth, of Boundary road, Palmerston N. — Application approved.

The Board went into committee relative to matters affecting the evidence to be adduced before the forthcoming silling of the commission to enquire into (he question of the Foxton wharf.