THE FOXTON PORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2115, 15 April 1920, Page 3

THE FOXTON PORT.

Ar Monday’s meeting of the Foxton Harbour Boftrd letter was read from the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce in response to the Board’s communication asking for the Chamber's co-operation in an effort to increase.the trade through the port. The Chamber circularised tradespeople, asking their reasons why they did not make more use of the port. A large number of replies were received, all being couched in much the same language, similar reasons being given in almost every case. The Chamber forwarded the following to the Board: —

“Dear Sir. —Referring to your circular of the 6th inst. We recognise the importance to Palmerston North of the cheaper route via Foxton, and would, under ordinary conditions, willingly consign the bulk of our goods that way, but as it is we find that it is less costly to pay the higher freights on the rail direct from Wellington and get goods without delay, with less breakage, and with nothing like the loss by pillage. .In fact, our experience is that it only pays to send via Foxton goods that are comparatively free from breakage or pillage, and these lines are few.”

“Dear Sir. —In reply to your circular letter of the (it h inst., we do not use the Foxton Port W the following reasons : —Too much time is lost from the time we order the goods to the time we receive them. Under actual test it pays us to rail benzine, although there is a saving of Gd per case in favour of Foxton. There is not enough care exercised in handling at the port. We use the port of Wanganui because southern merchants and manufacturers can arrange direct shipping to Wanganui, which cannnl ho done in regard to Foxton. We know the development of the port ol Foxton is of the utmost importance io this town, hut until holler shipping, unloading and despatching facilities are provided we regret wc are unable to give instruct ions for our goods to bo shipped via this port.” “Dear Sir. —4n reply to your inquiry why we do not have more goods sent by way of Foxton is principally the intolerable delay in getting; goods transhipped. Some of the wholesale houses now allow the extra charges so that we may got. goods delivered promptly. Wo shall he glad to avail ourselves more fully if there is a possibility of goods being handled with promptness.” “Dear Sir. —In response' to your inquiry, wc would intimate that v.e prefer railway carriage from Wellington solely on amount ot: the- infrequency of the boat sendee to Foxton. Realising the necessity and advantages of I lie development of the port of Foxton, wo have advised (yin 1 Wellington agents to forward v.believer possible through foxton. Another mailer which affects tins question is. the slow delivery being experienced, no doubt due to the .shipping difficulties and congestion at Home. Souk 1 goods, if not all, on arrival at Wellington are invariably urgently required, and the railway is undoubtedly -the quickest means of transport. It would be of assistance if it were more generally known on what days service is available through Foxton. Information on this point-would be acceptable.” “Dear Sir. —We would much prefer to ship our goods via Foxton every time, hut the difficulty seems to have been that the boat was not able to carry the freight offering, with the result that our'carriers in Wellington have been known to wait on the wharf Iwo and three hours at a lime for their turn to load, and finally-have been told that the boat could not take any more cargo. In these days, of course, when one is short of nearly almost every commodity in the line of business we are running, you can hardly expect us, after getting it from Home, to instrueOour shipping agents to ship via Foxton, even though (.he freights are cheaper. What is requirodis mure boats to deal with the trade, and then when we can get regular freights I feel sure that this portwill Hud plenty of support from Palmerston North business people. The writer is particularly anxious that Foxton should he supported as a port, and it is in the interests of The Palmerston business people and residents that such should be the case. lam also pleased to see that the Chamber has taken the matter in hand.” “Dear Sir. —We have your letter of (he 6th to hand. We beg to state 'Unit our reason tor not having our goods shipped from Wellington to Foxton is that the delay is too great. In our line of business it is necessary to receive goods from Wellington as quickly as possible, so we prefer to pay the extra railage freight and have goods failed promptly. However, if by any means you shall be able to improve the shipping time we will be pleased to have our goods shipped via Foxton.”

It was decided to- convey to the Chamber tlpe Board’s thanks for the interest they were evincing in this matter.