THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1590, 22 July 1916, Page 2

THE FOXTON WHARF.

THE question is being asked by those interested in the local port; what is the Eoxton Harbour Board going to do about, the Koval Commission’s linding in respect to the transfer of the wharf from the Railway Department to the Board? No meeting has yet been held by the Board to discuss the next step. The work of the Commission is linished; its recommendations were (bat the wharf should be transferred to the Board for the sum of £5,000 conditional that a. rating area is formed to provide £-1,000 per annum, if necessary, for dredging and improving the port, and that (he revenue from the port, upwards of £2,000 per annum, which has been collected by the Railway Department and transferred to the working Railways account in the pasl, shall be set aside for the Board, until such time as the Board can fulfil the conditions of transfer. The Minister has stated that the Commission’s (hiding, so far as the Government is concerned, will be taken as final. The Board and others interested are of opinion that the condition re the rating district to provide £4,000 per annum is a serious obstacle and that the £4,000 per annum which the Commission in its wisdom considered would be required to effect improvements, could be cut down by half. We understand that an effort is to be made by the Board to get the Minister to modify the condition as stated. Legislation xvill I be required in any case, for the

Board does not possess borrowing powers. But wo do not think either Cabinet or the House, in view of all Ihe I'aets, will concede anything thriller to I lie Board. The Minister admits that the Commission has already conceded too much to the Board. Anyhow, the first thing the Board must arrange is a conference with delegates of district governing bodies in order to settle definitely the area of the proposed rating district. This is the first vital step to lie taken. It is doubtful whether (he Board should wait for official copies of the Commissioners’ report and we believe the Board is convening a meeting for Thursday next to discuss the position. The rating area is a question which requires much eonsideral ion, and in order to remove misunderstandings. Our Balmerslon evening contemporary says that “assuming that a rale necessary to raise £I,OOO was levied on the capital value throughout the whole of the territory that would derive a direct benefit from the improvement of the Buxton harbour, Ihe rate would not exceed onesixteenth of a penny in the £. The counties and boroughs concerned

Capital (rateable) value. £ Kairanga County 2,934,477 Mauawatu County 2,352,777 Oroua County 1,95)7,505 Horowheuua County 3,414,85-1 Bohangina County 1,184,534 Palmerston Borough 2,743,010 Bedding Borough 845,030 Boxton Borough 221,800 Levin Borough 280,203 £15,5)74,937 A rate of one-sixteenth of a penny on these figures would yield £4,100 per annum.” Our contemporary suggests a uniform rate, and includes districts which have, expressed the strongest opposition to inclusion. In our opinion, deferential rate would be more eqnitabl ,e and we submit the following as being the present harbour district represented on the Board, giving the population and capital value:—

(.':i pit al Local. Body. Population. Value. Manawatu C'ty 4945 2,357,450 Palmerston Bon.. 12,200 2,790,972 Bedding Boro. 3,505 837,051 Levin Boro. 1,779 283,457 Buxton Boro. 1,814 224,373

21,249 (i. 499,999 Add Kairanga Cty. 4298 2,913,020 Total 28,547 £9,412,929 A uniform rule* of; 1-10)h of a penny in the £ will give the £4,000 required, nr thereabout, hut if taken on a population basis, and the advantages to different districts in proportion, a differential rate seems the most equitable. Bor instance, under a uniform 1-lOih of a penny, Buxton Borough would he asked to guarantee a very small amount, but under a differential rate the amount would be assessed in proportion to the benefits. IVe have included the Kairanga County because it is practically in the centre of the pro-

sen! harbour district, and tool sure it (ho matter of different ial rating is worked out, and the ahsoluto importance of dual sottlomonl ot lids apparent lasi opportunity is considered, Kairanga Comity, and perhaps other districts will not ho found wanting to put tho port on a proper footing for all time.