THE FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2540, 8 February 1923, Page 3

THE FOXTON WHARF.

• EIGHT OF ACCESS. BOARD AND RAILWAY OFFICIALS CONFER. ?' ■ A good deal of correspondence and interviewing has taken place between the Foxton Harbour Board and the Minister for Railways and the General Manager concerning a permanent right of access to the wharf. At present access is given to the railway yard and goods shed and an easement to the front of Messrs Levin and Co.’s site which will expire in 1928. The Boarc^. however, has valuable endowments on -the river front adjacent to the wharf about which enquiries have been made for the purpose of erecting warehouses. The obstacle in the way, however, is the right of access across, the railway line and shunting area. Until this point is definitely settled between the Board and Department the endowment is restricted from a revenue-producing point of view and an obstacle placed in the way of increased shipping. It may be mentioned that all goods arriving at the wharf per ship are handled by the Railway Department who collect the charges, a small proportion of which is returned to the Board.

On Tuesday afternoon a special train conveyed Messrs R. MeVilly (general manager), F. W. McLean (chief engineer), F. Buxton (chief traffic manager), Lowe (district engineer), Young (district traffic manager), and Jones (inspecting engineer) to Foxton for fhe purpose of conferring with members of the Board. ' \

The following members of the Harbour Board met the party at the station: —Messrs J. Linklater, M.P., (chairman), Barber, Holben and Signal. An inspection of the wharf and railway line were made,and the Board’s request outlined by Mr Linklater.

Messrs MeVilly and McLean agreed that the progress of the port and improvements to the wharf were of mutual benefit, The department, however, could not grant a permanent right-of-way or a transfer of rights to the Board which at some future time might be required for railway extension' purposes. A right, of access for a period .of years within legal limits could, be favourably entertained. The Department could not sanction any number of crossings in the yard which would interfere witli shunting. The area between the goods shed and wharf was already congested and if traffic increased more space would be required to meet the demand. It was also pointed out by Mr McLean that the erection of warehouses would mean increased traffic and an encroachment by both parties. It was “impossible to take the breeks off -.a Higlilandman.” He suggested that fresh access might be obtained by the Board north or south. The department was up against a similar trouble in Wanganui. Handling per trucks seemed the only feasible way in the present circumstances. Mr Linklater pointed . out that lessees desired access to their premises direct,

In answer to this it was pointed out that if such a right was given gaps bewteen trucks would have to be left and that would be impossible. Mi' Holben pointed. out that the Harbour Board had only one access to the main wharf and they wanted access at other points so that vehicles could ! take delivery direct from the ship’s side. The right asked for would'enable it to meet the present demands of prospective lessees and assist to promote shipping. Mr McVilley promised to-give the request favourable consideration and would confer with the chairman on the subject before a definite proposal was submitted.

It was decided to defer the question of sorting charges for the present.

Board members, while expressing some disappointment that the request for a .permanent right-of-way was not conceded, considered that an easement for a period of not less than 21 years would possibly"meet present requirements and that a fresh outlet td and from the wharf would have to be considered. Mr Linklater thanked Mr McVilly and staff for their visit and the consideration they had given to the Board’s request.