THE LOCAL PORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2444, 22 June 1922, Page 2

THE LOCAL PORT.

ADVANTAGES OUTLINED,

Manawatu has only one port, Foxton, and for a number of years past it has been recognised that this port is not used by merchants and business people generally to the extent which its strategical position would seem to justify. There are two schools of thought in tin* distriet, one of which favours the claims of Fnxton for greater usage as a port and the other takes the directly opposite view. The case for the Board was outlined by the chairman (Mr J. Linklater) in the course of an interview last week. Jo the course of this he summed up strongly in favour of the port and • advanced arguments which it is submitted would stand the fullest investigation.

Briefly reviewing the latter-day history of the port Mr Linklater quoted from the Commission’s report dated .June 24th, 1916, as follows :—“Parliament has recognised that, the harbour at Foxton should be under local control. . . .Unlike other harbour boards the Foxton Harbour Board has had no endowments of any great value vested in it. Many .other Harbour Boards such as Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Wanganui, Westport, etc., have got valuable edowments. v.

. . . Is then the charge imposed on goods for wharfage more than is necessary to pay for the handling of goods by the Railway Department from the ships to the railway? It is clear that it is.” BOARD HAS KEPT, FAITH.

Acting upon the ruling of the Commission, a rating area was constituted, sufficient to produce a rate of £4,000 per annum, each local authority in the harbour district being liable for its portion if required to be collected. A poll was taken to borrow £16,000, which was carried by a large majority. £II,OOO of this has been collected, leaving £5,000 still available. The wharf was purchased at £5,000, a suction dredge installed and the West Coast S.S. Co.’s coal shed and wharf was purchased and added to.

Continuing, Air Linklater remarked : “The cost of handling goods at present is higher than it should be, but the Board cannot risk the cost of a staff of its own, until the districts interested arrange to better support the natural port. The various counties and boroughs are liable, to a special rate to meet interest and sinking fund in the following proportions: Manawatu County 3-80ths, Kairaga County l-80th, Palmerston North Borough Council 3-looths, Feilding Borough and Levin Borough l-40th, and Foxton Borough 21-80ths on the capital values. So far, however, tlfe Board has kept faith by paying interest and sinking fund out of ordinary revenue, hut this cannot go on indefinitely under the existing meagre support; nor can it extend its operations other than by loan; but if the support it is entitled to is given the port could, and would be made to attain its objective in serving the Manawatu district and beyond cheapening the cost of transit. A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

“Loan monies now arranged are not available for dredging purposes. So far the Board has been able, out of general revenue, small grants, and careful management, to greatly improve the river channel by dredging. Soundings taken (and which were published recently) have proved this, and further proof is the fact that the class of vessels trading to the port can and do navigate by day and night without the fear, as in previous years, of striking sand hanks and being delayed. •‘Admittedly the bar cannot be dealt with at present, but it is just as navigable as before, and it is hoped the improvements in the er by the removal of sand bars will help materially with the bar. “At present the irregular runnng of vessels is a big factor, but the remedy is with the people. More boats are wanted and more certainly of quick despatch and the tradespeoples’ willingness to give cargo if better transport is guaranteed. Unfortunately harbour boards have no authority to purchase' or charter boats. These.-matters will probably he discussed at-the next conference. It only means willingness and a little push to establish regular trade, and is certainly in the interests of consumers and trader.- to foster their own port and help the members who are giving their time and energies to meet the objective sought.”