FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1977, 15 May 1919, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

ELECTION OP CHAIRMAN. MR. HENNESSY RE-ELECTED. The statutory meeting of (lie Eoxlon Harbour Board Tor the delation of a diainnan was held at Eoxton yesterday. The Secretary reported that the following members had been returned at the rceent election; —Messrs I.’, Ilennessy and \\ . Bode (foxton), J. A. Nash (Palmerston Borough), D. \\. Matheson (Levin Borough), T.. •). Clapham (Podding Borough), IV. E. Barber (Manawalu. County), and •). Linklaler (Kairanga. County). These gentlemen, together with Mr E. R. B, llolben (Government nominee) constituted the Board. All members were present, and nominations were asked for for the position of chairman for the ensuing term.

Mr Clapham proposed that Air P. Ilennessy ho re-elected to the position.

Mr Nash said he had very much pleasure in seconding; the nomination. The Board, he said, appreciated very much Mr liennessy’s good work in the past, and members were glad that the chairman was. still prepared to continue in olliee. There was still much work to do to put the Board on a sound footing, and it would he unwise to “swap horses in the middle of the stream. It was in the interests of the people of the district as well ns Hie Board that Mr Ilennessy should continue as chairman.

The motion was carried by acclamation.

Mr Hennessy thanked tho Board for tho honour they hud again conferred on him, and said he would continue to do his host to further the interests of the Board and district. He said lie was pleased that they now had their late secretary, Mr \V. Bock, with them as a fellow member. In the interests ot the Board it was necessary that Mr Bock should continue his connection with it, as he had a thorough grip of its affairs. It was possible that he (Mr Hennessy) would be leaving New Zealand tor eight or nine months early next year, and it he did so he did not think they could leave- a belter man in charge than Mr Bock. (Hear, hear).

APPLICATION FOR OIL STORE

SITE.

In reluming thanks for his reelection to the position of chairman Mr Hennessy made reference to tho application of the Vacuum Oil Company for a site for the erection of an oil store. He said that the .Foxton Borough Conned had passed a resolution on Monday night retiming this Company permission to creel the store .011 tho water trout or in close proximity to any existing building. He felt very strongly on this matter, and considered that the action of the Borough Council in passing such a resolution without first referring same to the Board was most unwise, and not calculated to further the interests of the, town and district. He intended taking members of the Board to limped: the site that would probably he offered to the Vacuum people, and after inspecting same he tell sure (hey would agree that it was an ideal one for the purpose, as there would be no'risk, there being no building within 20 chains of it. Itwould be a good thing for the district to get the oil store erected there.

When replying to (ho Council’;.) deputation re swimming baths site, Mr Hemiossy again referred to Ihi* matter, and said Jje wished to outer an emphatie protest against the Council carrying such a resolution. It was not calculated to do the trade of the port any good. Before passing same, the Council should have ascertained from the Harbour Board what the position really was. It was wrong for the Council to do what they had done lief ore finding out what the Board proposed in the matter.

The Mayor said he was sorry that the Harbour Board had got a wrong impression of what had passed between the Vacuum Oil Company and the Council. The Council had asked the Company to give them particulars of the capacity and construction of the proposed building, and the proposed site of

same, but they had not done so. It would be wrong to allow an oil store in close proximity, say, to the New Zealand Shipping Co.’s store, Tho proposed building was to be erected in the borough, and it was the duty of the Council to safeguard all property in the Borough.

Mr Nash said it would have been better if the Council, before passing any resolution, had first referred the matter to the Harbour Board. The Mayor said the Council did not want to do anything that would bo detrimental to the interests of tlie port. They were quite willing to work in with the Board,

Mr Hennessy said that befgro granting a site to the Vacuum Oil Company the Board was prepared to first submit the proposed site to the. Council for their approval; Mr Nash said the --Council was “on the box seat,” and could object to the site if they thought there was any danger. At the request of the Chairman, the Mayor said the Council would advise the Vacuum Oil Company that the matter of their application would be hold over pending advice from the Harbour Board as to the proposed site, etc.