FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2557, 20 March 1923, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held at the Palmerston North Borough Council Chambers yesterday. Mr J. Linklater, M.P., presided, and there were also present: Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., T. J. Clapham, W. Signal, E. R. B. Holben, and J. Chrystall. The secretary reported as follows :

Lifebuoys and life-lines: —The pi- * lot recently reported to the office that, since taking charge at the Heads the life-buoys and accessories suspended at the jetty and provided by the board in the interest of public safety, have from time to time been destroyed by some irresponsible person or persons. In almost every ease a knife has been freely used. To detect the culprit is a very difficult task, and so far he has not been able to bring anyone to book.

It was decided to erect a notice board offering a reward of £5 for information leading to the conviction of any culprit.

Fencing Reserves. —The mistress in charge of the Beach school has commenced to lay off flower-beds in'the vicinity of the hall. Her good work will not avail much as long as the front of Mr Kirk’s section is left unfenced. It is advisable for the board to approach Mr Kirk on this question, with a view to fence, as by fencing the whole of the reser 1 - vc will be free from stock as-well as the neighbouring sections. A fence of a chain long will serve the purpose.—lt was decided to instruct Mr Kirk to erect a fence, as suggested.

Launches tied to Jetty.—Launchowners have been difficult to convince that the only right they have to the jetty if> to land and receive passengers and goods. If no action is taken by the board, further liberties will be taken to the inconvenience of many who have as much right to the landing platform. —The matter was left in the hands of the chairman and secretary. Fires. —During the summer fires were freely lit in and about the reserve, and as they are a menace to the well-being of the plantation and houses, a prompt action on the part of the board to check such must be taken. —lt was decided to leave the matter in the hand's of the chairman. Pea Rifle Shooting.—Shooting with pea rifles is getting general at the Heads. Too much care cannot in my opinion be taken in this matter. In respect of this practice several complaints have reached me. The board should take the necessary steps to stop such before someone gets accidentally shot. The secretary was instructed to go further into the matter and report at the next meeting.

Drift Wood—ln spite of many cautions against removing wood and timber from Te Wharangi beach certain individuals from Foxton still persist in doing so. The public has had sufficient warning to warrant the board in taking Court proceedings from now on. —The secretary was instructed to look into the Act to see if the practice could not be stopped within an area to be defined by-the pilot. Wandei'ing Stock. —The , milkman’s stock continues to be more than a nuisance to the beach residents. No one dares to leave even a door open without finding a heifer or a, cow inside carrying on the “spring cleaning.” The secretary is informed that it is futile to leave vegetables away from cover, as they will inevitably be eaten up by the stock wandering about at large! It has also been reported that stock-proof fences have been rendered unless in the attempt to get at the pasture within. “Give and take” and “Live and let live” should be the aim, but the stock owner forgets to give and let live. To my mind some adjustment must be made very soon, otherwise the beach settlement will be hampered. —-It was decided to leave the matter in the hahds of the chairman and secretary. Vandalism.—The secretary reported that the dredge “Hennessy” which had been for several months fastened to the wharf, had been interfered with by some unknown individual. Fortunately the wirehowser rope which held her fast to the wharf, was so strained at the 'time, that it was not possible to untie otherwise it would have gone down the river possibly a total wreck.—lt was decided to take preventive measures by appointing a night watchman. The secretary also reported that apparently some visitor* to the beach did not appreciate the beach committee’s endeavours to clothe the board’s endowment at the Heads with trees as several young and old trees had been stripped of their branches and destroyed. Steps should be taken to protect the newly created plantation.—The secretary was deputed to go into the matter and also report on the by-law embracing this

subject. Shipping to the Port. —The secretary reported.'upon a visit-to the port by Capt. Hull re shipping (a full report of which appeared in the Herald at the time). The report was received. Money on Fixed Deposit.—The bankers are desirous t° know whether it is the intention of the board to again place the Round Bush Compensation money at fixed deposit for a further term of 12 months or more or not as the old warrant bad lapsed. —Decided to invest the money with the Foxton Borough Council at 5i per cent, for twelve months and thereafter at call. Section In reference to

this section difficulties have arisen owing to the new survey having ov-er-ridden the old Sanatorium road as previously laid off, thus making an alteration of the building line facing the road. Some adjustment has got to be made in order to avoid serious consequences.—Consent (subject to lessee agreeing to the alteration affected by the new survey). Sanatorium Road.—ln view of the sanatorium sections being practically isolated with no reasonable access when Mrs Robson fences off her sections, Mr Macpherson suggested that the board should spend the sum of £ls on the formation of the new sanatorium road. Without a. proper access he could not conceive how the board is going to dispose of the new sections at the sanatorium. —Decided to depute Messrs Linklater, Holben, Barber, and Signal to ascertain position with power to act.

Launch- engine.—lt was decided to have the carburretor of engine examined. Round Bush Rent. —The secretary was instructed to give the lessee notice of rent when due and failing payment to issue summons forthwith. Mr McPherson to be advised that he is to retain use of section as a nursery.

The cliairman was deputed to confer with Messi’s Wilson and Dairy mplc re boundary fence with power to act.

It was resolved to write the General Manager of Railways asking for a definite reply re access to the wharf.

The plan of river was deposited with the Board by Mr Climie, engineer and was favourably commented upon. Messrs Jiekell and Gilmour, engineers, waited upon the Board and objected to work being transferred to other engineers while they were acting as cosuiting engineers to the Board. It was explained for the lowest price was accepted for the survey.