FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1822, 4 May 1918, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual statutory meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held at Palmerston North on Thursday. Present: — Messrs P. Hennessy (chairman), W. E. Barber, T. Rimmer, J. Linklater, T, J. Clapham, and J. A. Nash. COMMITTEE REPORT. The local committee reported as follows: Re Foxton Borough Council’s application for foreshore for swimming baths: The site for this was inspected with the Mayor, and on discussion it was agreed to hold the matter over for a month, the members being favourable to granting a site under certain conditions. Arrangements have been made for the survey of land for recreation reserve and residential sections. Temporary accommodation for harbourmaster: Applications have been made to tenants for rental of a cottage for a couple of months. Tenders have been called for grazing rights for 12 months. No reply has been received from the Lands Department re acquisition of 42 acres. The Chairman said that the proposed site for the swimming baths was at a place which the Committee considered inadvisable to recommend granting until it was ascertained after the loan was carried whether or not it would be required by the Board. After the carrying of the poll it was intended to have a survey made and find out if the Board required the site. It waq near the dead end of the railway line, and it might be required for an. extension of the line. Under these circumstances the committee decided to hold the matter over for a month. If it was not required, the Board would be pleased to grant it as a site for the proposed baths. Mr Clapham said *■ that before granting the site the Board must bo careful to see that it would not be required in the future. The Secretary mentioned that Mr Scott, of Palmerston North, had undertaken the wprk of surveying at the Heads, and this would be carried out in the near future. In reference to temporary accommodation for the harbourmaster, two residences were available, Mr Mounsey’s, at 25s per week, and Mrs Holben’s, at 15s. On the motion of Mr Nash, this matter was left in the hands of the secretary with power to act. The report was adopted. TENDERS FOB GRAZING.

The following tenders were received for the grazing rights on the signal station reserve for a period of twelve months; —G. R. Nesbitt, £l2O, Easton Bros £l3O, Newth and Spring £lO2, Hugh Kiulcy £l2O, George Coley £SO. On the motions of Messrs Nash and Barber, the tender of Messrs Easton Bros, was accepted, and they were granted an extension of four months for an adi tional £7O. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr Nash said it gave him much pleasure to move that Mr Hennessy be re-elected chairman. It was unnecessary for him to make any reference to Mr Hennessy’s past work as everyone knew what he had done. He had always been loyal to the Board, had stuck to it and fought for its inception, and was always hopeful that it would eventually come into its own. Members should be thankful for Mr Hennessy’s past services and show their appreciation by unanimously re-clccting him. The motiton was seconded by Mr Clapham, and carried by acclamation. Mr Hennessy thanked members for re-electing him as chairman, and for the complimentary references made. He said he would like to impress on members that the coming poll was the final battle as far as the Board was concerned, and they should make every effort to carry the poll, not with a small number polling, but with a very large poll, to show the Government that the district was in earnest in the desire to get control of the wharf. Recently the Railway Department had clapped on extra charges on goods coming through the port, and he wished to impress upon the-people of the district that when the Board got possession of the wharf there would be a re-adjustment of charges which would result in a saving of thousands of pounds to the people of the district. All that was asked of the ratepayers in the Harbour District was to back a bill to the extent of £l,lOO a year. For the year ended March 31st, 1917, the net profit on the working of the wharf, after paying all expenses, was over £1,300, so it could be. It was the intention of calling up of a rate would not be necessary, as the profits would more than provide interest and sinking fund on the loan of £16,000. At the present time the method of handling goods on the Foxton wharf was übout as awkward and expensive as it could be. tl was the intention of the Board to build a shed alongside the ship-side so that the goods could be landed direct into the shed and the present handling charges saved. With improvements to the river, and the consequent increase in shipping, and the lessening of handling and other charges, it would eventually mean a saving to the district of from £IO,OOO to £20,000 per year. In coal alone a saving could be effected of from three to four shillings per ton. The district would not be asked to pay one penny towards the cost, as sufficient revenue would be obtained from the wharf to pay all charges. They wanted to impress this fact on the ratepayers, and get them enthusiastic. He urged members to use all their influence to place the position before the ratepayers in as clear a manner as po*^

sibie, so that they could see what a splendid opportunity was before them. Once the Board got possession of the wharf it would be the property of the people of the district, the Railway Department would have nothing whatever to do'with it, 'except that possibly the Board would require to make temporary ' arrangements with the Railways until their own sheds were In conclusion, Mr Hennessy referred to the good work of the Secretary, Mr Bock, who had sacrificed a good deal of time in the interests of the Board. OTHER BUSINESS. The Secretary stated that the Harbourmaster had reported the loss of a lens from the telescope. Enquiries had been made, and it was found impossible to obtain a lens in New Zealand, and same would have to be got from England. It was possible that the Board would be able to borrow one from the Marine Department until a new one was obtained. —The matter was left in the hands of the Secretary. The Harbourmaster applied for, three days’ leave, pointing out that no vessels would arrive for about a week. —Leave granted. The Secretary stated that he had received an offer for the dead firewood in the Round Bush, and asked for instructions. —It was decided to invite tenders for the right to cut the firewood referred to. A letter was read from the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, advising that the Chamber would do all in its power to assist in carrying the poll on the 21st instant.