THE FOXTON PORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2116, 17 April 1920, Page 3

THE FOXTON PORT.

The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce has received the .following additional reply lo their circular asking business firms to assist diem in increasing the . volume of trade through the Foxtou port : “Dear Sir. —I bade upon the service between Wellington and Foxtou as being of (he greatest consequence to Palmerston North, as any increase in (he transport; charges would curtail the distributing poAver and the radius of operations of merchants here, to (he A’ery great detriment to the wealth of this toAvn. It must be realised that one of the contributory sources of income to Palmerston North is the outside market. Therefore, if this is curtailed the Palmerston North income suffers. As far as my firm is concerned, we make the following complaints: — (1 ). The rough handling at Foxtou, which can only he described as shocking. Cases of ke-

vosene and benzine arc not lifted aml planed in the trunk; limy ure thrown. If the ineinbnrs of ilm Chamber of Commerce would nonie down lo Foxlon when a ship is unloading, 1 would show them how the goods are Imndled. The result is (hal breakable stuff —bullied goods etn. —although costing more by rail in (lie first instance, really work out cheaper this way. as they arrive in good"eondillion. (2). (’lie great data v experienced in getting goods iVoin Foxtail to i > aliuei'.-.(on .North,

sonic limes'’ three days, \ears ago it used to be quite the reverse, and a special train-was nearly always sent up with the Coxian cargo, ('■>). The delay in transhipping at Wellington, i have personally made inquiries with our shipping clerk in Welling--1 : ,ii, and ii otten occurs that good-, are carted flown to the Foxton boat, and a tier a delay of some hours - i-nsting a lot of money—the lurries come hack unable to gel .-aim- on hom'd. The ship goes away hall full, which 1 niidcr.-iand is owing lo (in l inaliilii \to Work the Foxlon Bar with a full boat. 1 take it ilia.l it is impossible for the Harbour Hoard lo improve (lie handling arrange-

Then there is Iho ui; <• - turn „(; (lie Foxloii rUt < hour being deepened, and if this could he done, and j ]i(i riyor made navigable, then coasi..; .-learners would come ni from ijiilh the Mast and Weal ('oar'! o! ihe S«mlh Island, and- possibly from i tiudmnga.- It would emnmously ..fieapen the cost of living and. add ■ u jhe wealth of! Palmerston North :! a. coastal service could he inan.'li'.'aicd, say hot ween Lyttelton and .Wxton. I have reckoned on .lids Xing done for the last twenty years, il is a mallei’ of great regret to me iha I our transport gclI -j ji;>- worse and trade is being nrh en to other ports.”