Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, SEPTEM, 1, 1921. THE PORT OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2323, 1 September 1921, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, SEPTEM, 1, 1921. THE PORT OF FOXTON.

“WHY don’t: you boost. I lip port?” was a query pm to our reprcscntative by a well-meaning citizen. Will anyone l who lots followed the history of the port during the past fourteen years deny that we have not; boosted the port? It was the “Herald” which first advocated and agitated for the resuscitation of the Harbour Hoard, and was ridiculed for such advocacy by those who subsequently became prominent in the movement. It was the “Herald's” action which secured the passing of 1 he original Bill on the plea that half a loaf was better than no bread,'when a majority of those interested were prepared to lei Uio Bill drop because it did not include the transfer of the wharf from the Railway Department to the Board. Short memory may be responsible for overlooking the columns of matter which were published exposing the iniquity of the Railway Department in filching the revenue of the port and transferring such profits to the working railway.-, account, Need we recapitulate our efforts in ‘urging district as against local representation and administration, in order to create a wider interest? The position to-day is that we have a- representative Board to govern the port, a rating district (agreed to on condition that no rate would he struck, as it was anticipated that the revenue of the port would he sufficient to meet interest and sinking fund on any loans required for port improvements), possession of the wharf and certain minor endowments. The fly in the ointment is the lack of shipping, without which the port is at a standstill. In order to facilitate shipping, the Board has secured a dredge to clear the river channel of silt batiks, but it will not be able to operate on the bar, which latter will be influenced

more or less by nature. The bar, however, gives a depth of Bft. at neap tides, and 10ft. to lift, at springs, which compares favourably with'other river ports, and with the river fairway of a uniform depth there is no reason why regular shipping Should not he maintained to the port. An effort is being made to secure a suitable steamer to trade regularly between the port and Wellington, and a canvass is being made for shares in a company for this purpose. The successful dotation of the company will depend largely upon the amount of local capital subscribed. There can only be one opinion as to the importance of the port as touching Fox ton’s future, and we urge all who can take ip), shares to do so, as the venture both from a local interest and commercial point of view is well worth while.