THE PORT OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2177, 16 September 1920, Page 3

THE PORT OF FOXTON.

DECREASE IN TRADE. PROPOSAL FOR ANOTHER BOAT A special meeting of the Council of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, ■when matters in connection with increasing the trade at the port o! Fox ton were discussed. Mr E. If. Crabb presided. The Chairman explained that a communication had , been received from the Foxton Harbour Board stating that at a recent meeting the question of increasing the trade been discussed. The Board considered that efforts should be made to form a company to purchase one or more vessels for the Foxton-Wel-lington trade. An option had been taken over a suitable steamer, and it was suggested that the Chamber should take into consideration the advisability of making a canvas- of the business people of the district, with a view to forming such a company.

Mr J. Linklater, chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board, said that for a long time past the s.s. Kennedy, which was privately owned, Lad been very irregular in the trade. There was a great deal of produce to go out of this district, and, under the present circumstances, if had to depend on that boat. A large amount of trade was going via the railway. From the Board’s point of view the position was very discouraging, hut it was intended to go on with the works in order to facilitate shipping. At the present time the Board was const meting a punt which would carry the machinery of the dredge, and it was now almost completed. During the past three months the bar had been in a good condition, having a depth of over 12 feel of water. The only trouble was the removal of four or five bars in the river. In connection with the boat that was offering (s.s. Exeella, at present at Hobart), bo said the price was £!1.000. She had a carrying capacity of LSI) tons, and a 7ft. Ain. draught. It was in every way suitable for the foxlou run, and there were plenty of freights to he had. Mr Linklater quoted

startling' comparisons ot the amount of trade to the port since 1D0!):

Vessels. Freight HID!) 18(i 21,845 HU 2 251 2(i,!Hi7 HHS 185 22.1)88 11)2(1 (id 8,400 The ligures represented 1 ho number mF cells niiide by vessels per annum, ;n< 1 (lie tonnage handled, He emupared the freight, showing Hint Hie cost per lon From Wellington In Halmerslon, via Foxton, was ahmd ,tl. 18s (id; Wellington to I’alinerslmi by railway. £2 15s Id; Wellington to Palmerston, via Wanganui. £8 (is Bd. The dilFerenee in Hie Freights between Wellington and Palmerston, via Foxton and by rail, was His 7d per ton. In (be ease id' via Wanganni, it was £1 7s !ld. -Mr Linklatcr said dial since these calculations bad been made, the railway Freights bad been emisiderably increased, (leneral goods bad gone up by two.lil'tbs, or an increase oF Bs. Allojrether sea freights bad increased From 15s to 20s. The charges were, however, still in Favour oF Hie Foxlun route by an additional 8s per lon. The question oF purchasing the vessel For the trade was worthy oF earnest consideration, in view ol Hie expensive' Freights now ruling. both on inward and outward cargoes, by rail and liy water, and Hie continued irregularities ot sailings From Wellington. it must be in Hie interests of Hie whole district to introduce competition, not only to reduce Freights, but also to ensure prompt deliverv. A comparison ol IrcighH jriven before the Commission in 11)10. which were .even then, ereathin Favour of sea-borne floods, was even more marked now. Xo dmibt the shortage oF coastal vessels contributed hugely to the diversion of traffic to the railway, and also that a large percentage of the Manawaiu traffic was carried at a very high cost via Wanganui. The option of purchasing Hus light draught vessel expired in 1dlays. IF it was a question of •Forming a company, and the inlluence of Wellington shipping merchants might bo sought in conjunction with the Manawaiu: and considering the vast importance to the district, no difficulty should be met in raising the necessary capital. He suggested that a small committee should he set up to take immediate stops in the matter, with the object of promoting a company with a capital of from £IO,OOO to £20,000. It was disheartening to the Board, continued Mr Linklater, to be sinned for vessels. There had. of course, been a great difficulty in getting a steamer, but now an opporlunitv was presented. In conchi-Hoii, be expressed a hope that the chamber would realise what a benefit Hit proper utilisation of the harbour would confer on the district, and would seriously consider Hie advisability of making the purchase. The Chairman explained that the vessel under consideration had a carrying capacity of 185 ton.-, and a draught of /ft. 3im, which would permit her entry to the river on any tide. Ho was Mire that the grain merchants of the Manawatu di>triet- could keep a vessel travelling backwards and forwards from Lyttelton to Foxton for nine months of the year. The option would expire hi F2 days, and it was necessary to interest lmsine>s men in the matter immediately. He suggested that business men in town should be either circularised or approached personally and asked to attend a meeting oii Thursday afternoon at four ■o’clock. This course was decided upon. Ml

Linklater agreeing to have esjimales of working expenses prepared. '

After fart her discussion it was decided to hold another nicotine' on Thursday afternoon, when Mr Linklater will supply furl her details as to the cost of running' the boat and the other matters. Palmerston Times.