FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2297, 2 July 1921, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

The Foxton Harbour Board met at Palmerston North on Thursday. There wero present:—Messrs J. Linklater (chairman), W. Bock, J. W. Rimmer, W. Barber, J. Chrystol! and T. J. Clapham. Apologies, for absence from Messrs Nash and Hollien were received.

Mr Bock reported that a deputation from the Board had waited on Hon. Sir Francis Bell, requesting that permission be given to commence dredging operations before soundings had been taken. The Minister, however, pointed out that it was desirable that soundings should first be made, so as to be able to judge later on as to whether the dredge was doing its work efficiently. The Minister had been asked to advance £750 on the estimates for this purpose for the work. He pleaded financial stringency, but ultimately agreed to advance £250, the balance to be forthcoming when a detailed certified statement as to thu amount expended on river improvements was received.

The Vacuum Oil Company, Ltd., Wellington, intimated a desire to establish a depot at Foxton for the storage of petrol, and for its distribution throughout the district, and asking the Board to grant them a. >ite on land under their control on i lie foreshore. —The regulation uncut the storage of petrol were discussed, and it was thought that leg : ally the Board had power to grant a site. A site to the north of Levin and Co.’s premises was suggested, and it was also thought that, if tho permission of the Inspector of Explosives, could be obtained, the company could have use of the Board’s present unoccupied shed whilst the proposed buildings were under construction. A motion making the offers suggested was carried. It was deeded that as soon as arrangements could be made with the Railway Department for placing spoil on the section north of Levin and Co.’s shed the dredging Inf .started at that point, and negotiations he immediately entered into with the Railway Department with regard to what portion of the land it claimed.

The treasurer reported that, after accounts totalling £302 18s 2d were paid, the credit balance would he £l4l 4s lOd.

The pilot reported that very little alteration had taken place at the bar during Ibis month. The channel still continues along (lie north beach. The last sounding revealed n depth of Bft bin at high water. At Fras'er’s the channel was inclined to shoal up.

The engineer- reported that the dredge had worked for 30 hours, between June 15th -and 28th, at a depth of 12ft. Gin., the cut being 35ft. to 45ft. wide. He made several recommendations as to certain necessary improvements in the plant so as to make for economy and increased efficiency. The report'was adopted.