THE LOCAL PORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2501, 2 November 1922, Page 3

THE LOCAL PORT.

GRANT FOR. RIVER IMPROVEMENT. “I am pleased to know that Air Newman, M.P., has been successful in obtaining a grant of £750 for river improvements,” said Mr JLinklater, chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board, to our representative, “and you can rest assured that no time will be lost in making application for the grant.” Mr Linklater went on to say that in order to induce shipping to the port, the most potent source of revenue, the Board will have to consider a definite scheme to provide a workable bar. This, matter would be considered when the question of the grant of £750 was under consideration. At Monday night’s meeting of the Levin Chamber of Commerce, Mr Rimrner, who is a member of the. Boston Harbour Board, said he could not help feeling that the Palmerston people did not realise the importance of the port of Foxton to themselves. Nor did he think the Manawatu had much to hope for from the proposed campaign to purchase a steamer. He was opposed to taking shares in such a company. It would 1 have to be run as a business venture, and woxdd trade from the Bluff to Patea round the coast. The ship would not be under the control of the district sufficiently, and would naturally trade with the ports that showed the best return. The South Canterbury Company had since approached the people interested with a proposal to use two boats in the Oaniaru, Timaru, Lyttelton, Wellington, Foxton, Wanganui,« trade. These boats, the Breeze, and Storm, dpw nine feet of water but there was only 81 feet on the bar at neap tides. At spring tides they could get into the Foxton River mouth. Air Rimrner said there was a good trade in grain for milling and poultry from South Canterbury ports to Foxton. He made a comparison showing that, taking into consideration handling, wharfage, and railway freight, goods that cost 20/per ton to carry to Wellington from the South could be brought to Foxton for 22/0. To the Wellington freight had to be added wharfage, cartage to rail, sorting, railway freight to Leviif, and cartage from lqcal station to store, making a total of £2 5s 7d. The charges at Fpxon were only 3/6, and allowing 10/- per ton for haulage to Levin, it, appeared that goods could be landed in the store at Levin at £1 16/ The Canterbury Shipping Company was prepared to put motor waggons on the road to deliver the goods to any part of the Manawatu if desired. Air Rimrner considered the development of the wharf was in the best interests of the whole district. But he pointed out that the harbour would have to be improved and they must get over the difficulty of the Railway Department having the power to prevent access to the- wharf, through their property having to be crossed to get the stores. There were endless possibilities also in regard to the proposal to make a cut in the Alanawatu River and take it straight out -to sea instead of going round a loop as at present. Nothing tangible could be done, however, unless the merchants interested took the matter up. ■Mr P. Prouse said the complaint of The shipping companies was that they did not, get enough cargo to and from Foxton. Mr Rimrner said a trade could be built up if the harbour was improved. Mr Prouse said there were also complaints about the way cargo was handled at Foxton. Air Rimrner said the port blamed the railways for much of that. Air Prouse spoke of the use likely to'be made of the port by scows. Such cargo as timber iind poles would have to be shipped to Wellington or - provision made -for towage at Foxton, there being none at present. Different classes of vessels had been derived for use in bar harbours. One of these, the Kairaki, was constructed of shallow draught, but foundered with all hands. The Ameioans believed in strengthening the hulls of vessels for this purpose bv-extra timbers.