FOXTON HARBOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2115, 15 April 1920, Page 1

FOXTON HARBOUR.

The Palmerston Times, dealing editorially with the Foxton Harbour, says;

“The Chamber of Commerce seems to have served the good purpose of arousing the Foxton Harbour Board from the lethargy into whicdi it has admittedly fallen, but the main effect of the revivification seems merely to have been to have •emphasised the difficulties of the problems which have got to be overcome before Foxton can become a port in deed as well as in name. The plain fact is that Foxton is in danger of losing its trading license. The boats that have plied there in the past have either been lost or have been diverted to more profitable routes. The s.s. Kennedy, purchased by local enterprise, is still on the run, but the owners have dropped a broad hint that unless the vessel is more generously patronised both going and coming it must, in the interests of the shareholders, be put into another service. Local merchants who have been consulted in the matter have ma.de it clear that they cannot -patronise the Kennedy in competition with the railway unless they are given a regular and dependable service, and a guarantee against inordinate losses and breakages. This obviously is the matter which must be attended to first. It is the first essential provision to prevent Foxton being merely a barhour in name. If the Kennedy can be given adequate encouragement to stay in commission, other things must follow. If it is practicable the Harbour Board itself should be strengthened and nursed from sleeping sickness into real life. A band of earnest, resolute business men to augment the one or twolive wires on the Board is a vital need. Only such representatives could be depended upon to come to sound decisions, and to act fearlessly in the general interest. “The suggestion that a harbour should be constructed at the heads involves a number of problems. As to the fear expressed that it would be resented by the Foxton 'townspeople, that need trouble nobody. They have long ceased to function from sheer inertia. A port at the heads will be justified only, and if, the people of the Manawatu decide to make Foxton port a focus of trade. However this was effected i! would mean a huge expenditure, because tilings would have to be done on a comprehensive scale. To justify any such undertaking the taxable population would have to be convinced of a reasonable quid pro quo. At, present they are completely in the dark. It is of no use talking about a light line to the heads. Thai would simply mean another handling of goods. If a railway is made to the heads it must be in continuation of the existing service, and the existing service must be improved out of sight. There is the, alternative of a concrete road all the way from the port to the centres to be served, but this is a vision of the far future. There is nothing in the immediate future to justify big schemes. Whatever is attempted must be on sound business lines on a basis of reciprocity and . commonsense. The Board recognises this in its decision to go on with the dredging and to appoint a supfervisor of cargoes. It might go further and

appoint <i real live agent to stimulate enthusiasm and eanvass ■ for business to keep the Kennedy full coming and going. The immediate need is for the exercise of business acumen and organisation. When, and if, townsmen and settlers realise that real live wires are on the job there will be no laek of support for Foxton harbour.”