THE LOCAL PORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2267, 23 April 1921, Page 4

THE LOCAL PORT.

CONFERENCE OF‘LOCAL BOD\ J DELEGATES. NEW SHIPPING COMPANY BEING FORMED.

A conference of local body delegates, convened by the Foxton Harbour Board, was held in the Board room, Foxton on Wednesday afternoon to discuss matters concerning the welfare and progress of the port. All the delegates recognised llic importance of the port-as a shipping centre, and the necessity for regular shipping by locallyowned and controlled steamers, between Wellington and the southern ports. It was pointed out that a tremendous saving would he elfectted in freight charges if a regular steamer service could be assured. Ilf was mentioned that a company was being formed to purchase one steamer, to ply regularly between Foxton and Wellington, and that another would be purchased at a later date to trade with southern ports. The speakers, without exception, promised to co-operate with the Board in any steps to forward the interests of tlie port. Mr Linklater (chairman), in welcoming the delegates, said that there had been no shipping at the port since January, the last two vessels which had traded there having been wrecked, and not replaced. The Board had made every endeavour to improve the facilities of the port., and a dredge to clear a channel in the river and at the bar bad been purchased and fitted up. They had been granted a loan of £IO,OOO (all of which had not yet been lifted), and the money for the interest oil that sum, at 5.} per cent., would have to be found somehow, they would either have to find the money by means of shipping dues or increase the rates. The original estimate of the cost of a dredge was £IO,OOO, but it was the opinion of experts that the present dredge, which was lilted up at a cost of about £3,000, would meet all their requirements. He then invited the delegates to express their views on what could be done to bring back the trade of the port.

Mr Nash thought that it was deplorable that there had been no boat since January. If tlie wrecked vessols h;ul been kept on the Koxton trade they would not have met the fate they did. The Board, with which lie had been associated since its inception, had .’started in a very bad way, but gradually conditions began to improve, until 1012, in which year they had a very satisfactory return. Then the trade had dwindled and dwindled, until it was now less than 10,000 tons annually. Some said that the Board had been created for the belieffi of Foxton, or of Palmerston North, but lie wished to impress on them that it was not for the benefit of Foxton, or of Palmerston North, but: of* the whole district. They had been suc- < essful in raising a loan of £IO,OOO, and they had saved £O,OOO in the purchase price of the dredge, but he did not see bow the Board could laise the money to meet ils interest obligations. A number of business men were endeavouring to float a company, with a capital of £30,000, to ran two small vessels, confined I.> I’ue Foxton service. It was estimated that the (iisi vessel would cost £IO,OOO, and the company would be floated with a paid-up •capital of £12,000. ll would be found Iha I if a boat ran regularly, they would gel ample cargo for her inwards and outwards. The river wanted dredging for a distance of about 1 miles, bid the bar hud been

good for yeiirs. Members of the Board had been strenuous in their endeavour- to improve the port, and it was not their fault if the trade did not come to it. There would he quite sufficient trade with Palmerston North alone to keep one boat employed throughout the yeyr with produce from the South Island. Railway freights from Wellington were costing £2 a ton more than shipping rates through Foxton. Several boats had been offered for sale, and no great difficulty would be experienced in that connection. IP was m> good allowing the port to be closed, but unlit* they had their own boats running Foxton as a port would not be a Success. A meeting would be held in Foxton in the near future to discuss the purchase of a boat.

Mr Chrystall expressed himself as quite sympathetic with the proposal outlined by Mr Nash. A succession of unfavourable circumstances seemed to have conspired to bring about the present state of affairs. Two years ago company had been floated to purchase and operate a boat, but the control was in Wellington.

The absolute control of the new business, said Mr Nash, would be local, and not in Wellington.

Coni inning, Hr Chryslall recommended that a new boat be purchased. Tlie Foxton Borough Council would a twist, as there was a saving of ton on coal brought by sea, and that would mean aconsiderable saving. The fact that one boat was running successfully would promote healthy rivalry, and lead to other ships visiting the port. Hr Spooner advised the promoters to keep control of their own boat. The trouble for years past had been that the service was so indefinite. Anything that Palmerston North could do would be done to further the scheme for the development of the harbour and its resources. Cue necessity which should he considered, remarked Mr Holben, .‘as the establishment of a reeeiv-

jug shed at Wellington, where goods for the Foxton trade could be assembled .and loaded at once, instead of carters having to wait for hours willi the possibility of not getting their goods shipped. - If a live man controlled the Wellington end there would he no doubt about handling tfic goods at this end, provided they had their own officers. No port ,along the coast had better opportunities than Foxton, and no harbour could be run cheaper, but control must remain in their o,wn hands. The coal and timber trade from the West Coast of the South Island, observed Mr Murdoch, was just as important as the Wellington trade. No man could pay rent on the capital value of a house built of timber brought via the Main Trunk. They wanted from 50 to 100 houses in his town, and he believed that the timber could be conveyed from 50 to 100 per cent, cheaper from the South Island via Foxton. He prophesied an electric tramway between Shannon and Foxton when the Mangaliao scheme was completed, and that Foxton could become a deep-sea harbour at infinitesimal cost if rating areas were established in the country it served. Mr. Matbcsou agreed that their port was the natural outlet for the whole of the Manawalu, and parts of the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa. lie thought that a much keener interest be taken by Foxton business people in their port. As far as Levin was concerned, Foxton was not as important as it used to be, as freights were not now quoted by wholesalers. On behalf of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, Mr Hornblow stated that it was quite prepared to co-op-erate with the board to promote the welfare of the port. It must not lie forgotten, however, that they were a small community, and in such places those with a larger vision were often regarded as cranks. Continuing, lie said that the recent pilfering complaints should have been referred to tlu* Board as the proper authority for adjusting them. He hoped that the persuasive eloquence of Mr Nash would induce the business men of Foxton to interest themselves in Ids proposal. He remembered the time when eight or nine boats had been tied up there at one time, and he thought that the harbour would soon come into its own again.

Mr Barber expressed the opinion ll.iit Foxton had been affected bv the general shortage of: shipping, which would adjust itself in lime. It discounted an incoming trade, said Mr Matheson, if they had no outgoing trade to balance it. That should also he a matter for consideration.

As several of ihe delegates had to return to town, the conference then adjourned, after passing a hearty vote of thanks to the Harbour Board, and to Mr Book in pa.rticubtr for the interest he bad taken in all matters in connection with the welfare of the port of Foxton.

At tlie conclusion, the Mayor entertained the remaining delegates it afternoon tea.