THE HARBOUR LOAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1826, 14 May 1918, Page 3

THE HARBOUR LOAN.

RATEPAYERS URGED TO SUPPORT SAME. PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD. At last night’s Council meeting a letter was read from the Foxton Harbour Board, soliciting the Council’s support in connection with the harbour loan poll on Tuesday next, Cr. McMurray moved, and Cr Coleyseconded, that this Council urges the ratepayers of Foxton to support the Foxton Harbour Board’s proposal to raise the sum of £16,000 by way of loan at the poll to be held on the 21st instant, and that a public meeting be held on Friday evening next for the purpose of organising to carry the poll to a successful issue.

Cr McMurray, in speaking to the motion, said it was the duty of the whole of the ratepayers in the Harbour district to support the Board’s proposals. A meeting should beheld to organise so as to ensure that, every voter on the roll in this district exercised the vote. The development of the Foxton harbour was essential for the proper progress of the district, and everything possible should be done to get a big vote. Cr Coley said he was strongly in favour of the Board’s proposals, and would do all he could to assist in getting the loan carried.

Cr Hurley said that it would not he necessary to collect a rate, as the profit from the wharf at present was more than sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund on the proposed loan. For the year ended March 31st, 1917, the profit was £1,332, and that year was a bad year, as the wharf was closed during a peroid of about eight weeks owing to the master mariners’ strike. Had this not occurred, the profit would have been much larger.

The Mayor said he wished to emphasise the importance of the acquisition of the Foxton wharf, which depends on the successful issue of the Harbour Board’s loan proposal to borrow £IO,OOO. On the 21st instant, the last shot would be fired in this groat campaign. The Board has fought many an uphill struggle over a period of years, suffering defeats, but he believed that victory waS within its grasp. Mr Hennessy, like a wise genera 1* was taking nothing for granted, however, and respectfully asked for our co-operation to see that everyone who has the franchise will exercise his vote for this important measure. After reviewing the facts, surely this is the least we can do. The Chairman has sacrificed his own personal interests to the public welfare. He has fought on undismayed for many years with single aim, steadily keeping the goal in view. The personnel of the Board should inspire the confidence of every elector, ensuring the wise administration of its funds. The Board is composed of conscientious successful business., men, who, he believed, will work in the interests of progress. The future prosperity of Foxton was bound up to a great extent in the development of its port. In bringing this about, two benefits at least are secured: first, employment will be provided for a large number of men, thus increasing the population of Foxton, and a substantially increased population meant water and drainage; second, a good navigable port will greatly enhance the value of all property in its vicinity. Speaking in the interests of the Borough, he said that regular shipments of coal would effect a saving of at least £l5O per annum for the gasworks. The Board has decided to pay interest and sinking fund out of revenue, which is quite sufficient for that purpose, thereby eliminating the payment of a rate. He wished to state also that the Harbour Board has nothing whatever to do with the excessive sorting charges made by the Railway Department, but in co-operati-on with other Boards is trying id obtain some measure of redress. Ho therefore appealed to every owner of property in the interests of progress and finance to combine and record a solid block vote for the proposal. Cr Henderson said that the acquisition of the wharf by the Board would be a boon to the district, and it behoved every ratepayer to support the loan, which he believed they would do.

The motion was carried unanimously.