THE PORT OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2283, 31 May 1921, Page 3

THE PORT OF FOXTON.

NEW SHIPPING COMPANY FORMED.

YESTERDAY’S PUBLIC MEETING.

A public* meeting, convened by Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., and member o£ the Foxton Harbour Board, *.vasheld in the Town Hull supper-room yesterday afternoon to discuss matters in. connection with the local port and a regular shipping service. There were between 50 and 60 persons present, including several ladies. Among those present were Mr Linklater, chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board, Mr Jickell, engineer to the Board, members of the Harbour Board, Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce.

The Mayor (Mr John Chrystal!) occupied the chair, and extended a welcome to Mr Nash “as the representative of Foxton’s progressive suburb, Palmerston N.” (laughter). He said any discussion which would lead to the welfare of the local port was welcomed, and any suggestions Mr Nash had to make in this connection would receive careful consideration. A shipping company had been formed, but was not so successful as had been anticipated. He then formally introduced Mr Nash, who was received with round of applause.

Mr Nash said it was a pleasure for him to advance the welfare of Foxton and the port. He was, however, not present as (he Mayor of Palmerston, 01* in any other official capacity. His object in addressing a public meeting was in the interests of the Harbour Board and port, and to endeavour to arouse public interest in the necessity for a regular shipping service between Foxton and Wellington, and Foxton and the South Island. The Harbour Board had a hard row to hoe, and were up against it, owing to the lack of shipping. In fact, the Board had had to face difficulties ever since its resuscitation. They had had to light the Railway Department, which had taken a slice of land from the Board without obtaining its consent, and if the Department had had its way the Board would have been compelled to pay anything from £25,000 to £36,000 for the wharf, which a Commission subsequently assessed at £5,000. 'flte revenue which had accrued while the Department controlled it from the date fixed by the Commission for the Board to take it over, and the actual taking over, had amounted to £3,000. It could be seen, from this what a gold mine the port had been to the Railway Department, He regretted to state that the port now was practically idle, and his object was to float a company to provide regular shipping. Already a fair amount of shares had been taken up in Palmerston, and more promised provided a steamer was procured to trade with the South Island. He did not know much about the other company, but the fact, remained that no regular boat was running to the port, and fhe company for all practical local purposes was defunct. He paid a tribute to Mr \Y. Bock’s optimistic enihusinsm in the future of the port, and his efforts to get a steamer for the local trade. The present Chairman of the Board was also keenly interested in the welfare of (he port. In fact, it was in the interests of Foxton and district that the port should he kept busy. He recognised that it was difficult to floal a company during the present depression, but he had hopes that as a result of Mr Massey’s visit to England that a loan would be raised to relieve the present financial depression. The capital of the proposed company was £30,000, but £12,000 would provide ample to purchase one steamer. That, however, was a matter for the provisional directors to decide. They did not want outside preponderating capital. The idea was for the money to he provided by the people of the district, who would exercise control. The bar and river had to he contended with, and the Harbour Board was attending to this, and lmd already spenl a sum of £3,000 on a dredge to keep the fairway open. The dredge would he working in a few days. He compared the shipping of the port from 1916 to the present day. Since December last only one steamer had visited the port, which was a lamentable state of affairs. The tonnage to the port had dropped from 26,967 in 1912 to 8,000 last year. The monthly profits of a regular service on a conservative estimate was £1,300. but provided it was only a quarter of this amount it would show a handsome profit. To-day the .seaborne trade was coining via Wanganui. The coal trade alone through this port would be a great advantage, and would effect a big saving, and much revenue, to say nothing of the outward hemp freights. Would it be wise to allow the port to remain in its present state? Thu local wharf at present (.should be a hive of industry. He hoped Foxton would join forces with Palmerston N. and find the capital to float a company to provide shipping and promote the welfare of the district.

Mr Linklafer urged those present to assist in the flotation of the company, in order to resume shipping to the port. The formation of the company would not only assist the Board in its uphill fight, but would assist Foxton itself, and the district generally. He referred to the saving in freights over railage, and to jjip steps the Board was taking to improve the channel and bar, and hoped the company would be a success. Personally he had taken 250 jjjiares ip the company, although

no! directly interested in commerce. (Applause.) Mr Grant Sim explained the prospectus of the company, and the uetliod in which the calls in small amounts would be made. He referred to a steamer which had been placed under offer to the company, but when sufficient money had been subscribed it would be for the provisional directors to appoint an expert to examine any steamers offering.

The Mayor said that when the company which purchased the Kennedy was formed Foxton had provided half the capital. He thought something more definite was required than had been placed before the meeting. Personally he would be prepared to contribute £2O towards sending an expert to England to inspect suitable vessels there, as there was plenty of tonnage for sale there at the present time, and lie believif this were done the company would save several thousand pounds. He did not think there would be any saving in purchasing a vessel here dr in Australia.

Mr Nash said it would be useless and a waste of time to send an expert anywhere until the money was subscribed. Float the company first;, ’.and get to bedrock, and then the provisional directors could appoint an expert with a guarantee of purchase.

Mr Bock said it would take up too much time to send an expert to England to look for a suitable steiimer. There were a number of :.*oastal boats laid up in Australia, und the main ports of New Zeaand. He stated that the Harbour Board had obtained borrowing powers on condition that they formed a mting area, and at various meet-* ngs it had been stated that no rates would be levied in the Harbour disriet, on the assumption that ordintry traffic was maintained. There was interest to pay on loan money, but unless the Board obtain'd revenue from shipping to the mrt a rate for interest would have o be levied. He was willing to assist the port by taking up 500 dm res in the company. (Applause.)

Mr Perrcau agreed that somehiug should be done to improve the (lipping. He had taken a promient part in getting capital in the ompany which purchased the Ken-

nedy, but if it did not pay the company to run the Kennedy to Foxton they could not be blamed for putting the vessel on a run that would pay. Mr Smith said that money had been put into the company which had purchased the Kennedy on the understanding that the vessel was to take up the Wellington-Foxton trade, otherwise some of the money would not have been subscribed. The Chairman endorsed this statement.

Mr Hornblow wished the company success, and stated that unless shipping was revived at the port the people would be called upon to pay a rate for the port, whereas an investment in the company would not only obviate this, but according to the statement, produced, investors would receive substantial dividends from money invested. Mr Christie asked whether dredging operations would improve the

bar. In reply, Mr Jickell said the shipping facilities of the port were as good now as they ever were. The port was in its infancy, and, given the revenue from shipping, it could carry out improvements. The object was to increase the velocity of the water by the erection of training walls at the entrance, which would shift the bar seawards. By thin means boats could enter drawing up to 18ft. The port could be made ns easy of access to shipping as any river port in the Dominion, and given the revenue of past years, this could be accomplished. Mr Smith said if a guarantee was given that a boat would be purchased suitable for negotiating the bar and river, he, with many others, would take up shares. They had been told that the Kennedy was suitable, but apparently she was not. Mr Nash said if something was not done to improve the port had better go back to the Railway Department. If the company was floated, every care would he taken to see that a boat suitable for working the port was obtained. Mr Bock moved, and Mr Pen-ear. seconded, that a company be formed, to be called the Palmerston N. and Foxton Shipping Go., and that the prospectus as submitted be adopted; —Carried. It was further moved that when at least £B,OOO in shares are applied for, and applications paid, an expert be engaged to secure options over suitable steamers, in the Commonwealth and Dominion, and report to a further meeting. In returning thanks, Mr Nash said that already £5,000 had been applied for, including upwards of £I,OOO at the meeting. If the matter was taken up enthusiastically ho had no doubt ns to the success of the company, and the future welfare of the port.