FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2590, 7 June 1923, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held, at Palmerston North to-day, presided over by Mr J. Linklater, M.P., chair-

man. The secretary’s report was read as follows.— New Sanatorium Road. —The formation of the new Sanatorium road has been laid off and partially completed, which will enable vehicular traffic to grain access to both the foreshore and the residential quarter without having 1 <> traverse the river foreshore. The Chairman in conjunction With the members of the local committee inspected the road and proposed to plant suitable trees along' the south side of this roadway this year, which will not only add to the attractiveness of the approach, but will provide shelter from the south-westerly winds. In reference to the question of asking- or requiring further estimates for the extra loading of the road with soil in order that the same might be raised to a still higher level, I am of opinion that it is unnecessary as the specifications already provided for such. '(See specifications). What might be more essential than the estimates would be for the board to treat Mr Hartley liberally in the matter of price. The Wharf. —In accordance with the Railway District Engineer’s report the sheathing and breastwork under the board’s shed requires immediate attention owing to portions of the woodwork being in a state of decay. Flax Refuse. —The matter of depositing (lax refuse in the Manawatu River, which is a menace to the channel and shipping had been referred to the Marine Department. Recently the Public Works Department sent an officer to investigate the trouble. This officer in conversation with the secretary, said that from the inspection made he had gathered enough data to enable him to report to his Department against, some of the millers on the bank. Municipal Handbook. —The Census and Statistics office wrote asking for information in reference to the Eoxton Harbour Board and T propose, to furnish the following:— “Foxton, situated a few miles up the Manawatu River, is the natural port of the whole of the Manawatu district from Levin to Feilding and beyond. At present, however, the business of the . port is practically confined to coastal trade with Wellington and Lyttelton. The affairs of the port are administered by a Board of seven elective and one non-elective members, but for the time being the wharf is controlled bv the Railway Department, which collects wharfage dues and berthag charges on behalf of the Board. “Wharves and Berthage Accommodation: —There is a wharf 600 ft. in length, with a good depth of water alongside, sufficient for vessels from 150 to 450 tons gross. “Improvements: Negotiations with the Railway Department for the purchase of the wharf have been completed on the lines laid down by the Commission, viz., the constitution of a rating area or district to provide rates of at least £4,000 per annum, and the payment to the Railway Department of £5,000 for the wharf and. the area upon which leasehold buildings are erected. A Bill to give effect thereto was passed during the 101 S session, and aui thorising a loan of £16,000. A [ vote was taken throughout the dis- | triet, and carried almost unanimously. The district comprises Manawatu and Kairanga Counties and the boroughs of Feilding, Palmerston North, Foxton, and Levin. Upon acquisition of the wharf by the Board improvements will be effected which will enable boats of deeper draught to enter the river at all tides. “Endowments.—The Board’s endowments comprise (1) frontages to the Beach at the Heads, and about 260 acres beyond on the sea front (the beach is a very popular seaside resort, with many fine residences and is well patronised by people from all parts of the district at Christmas, Easter and holiday seasons), (2) the signal station reserve of 418 acres, (3) flax-mill sites at Foxton. An annual rental of £631 11/4 is obtained from these. “Trade and Shipping.—Considerable quantities of hemp, wool, tallow, eggs, etc., are sent to Wellington in coastal steamers for export abroad. The net tonnage of vessels entered and cleared at the port during this year 1922 was“Reeeipts and Payments.—The total receipts for the year 1922 were £3,489 6/5 and the total payments £3,097 4/7. No rates were struck. “Loan. —The only loan outstanding is the one raised during 1918 to the amount of £II,OOO for the purchase of wharf, building goodsshed, and dredging. This loan was raised from the Public Trustee at 5 i per cent, plus 1 per cent sinking fund. The term is thirty-six years.” Section 79.—1 n reference to this section I have to again ask the Board to refuse further concessions as the proposed lessee has been written to on three occasions to fulfil certain requirements. Sq far I have not had any reply to any of the three letters forwarded. As I have already reported the section could be placed at a higher rental. Notice Boards.—Eight warning notice boards have been made and painted re interfering with lifebuoys, life-lines,' boats, drift-wood or lighting fires, pea-rifle shooting or damaging trees. Coal. —Attempts have been made to induce a certain scow to bring by way of the port one or more cargoes of coal and so far I have yet

to learn whether these attempts will eventuate or not. Access to Wharf—As a result of the Railway District Engineer’s visit to Foxton when the question, of defining the crossings was fully dis--cussed, three special crossings were granted, subject to the Board undertaking to pay the boarding of same, but the one, giving more facilities to the board’s sheds was declined. The Chairman is in possession of the document, as he anticipates making further representations in connection with the latter crossing. Bill to Raise Money.—ln reference to Mr Chrystall’s motion to introduce a Bill at the next session of Parliament, empowering the Foxton Harbour Board to borrow money for the purchase, hire, building or chartering steam and other ships or vessels or for subsidising other persons in the hire or chartering such ships or vessels to trade with the port of Foxton, I have to submit for the Board’s consideration the Draft Bill as prepared by the Board’s solicitor.

Nightwn tchman’s Report.—Mr Wyeth reported to the office that, at about 11 p.m. on Saturday, the 26th nit., lie put to rout what seemed to him a very suspicious and irresponsible flock of young men in the immediate vicinity of the dredge “Hennessy.” Lease and Transfer. —Board to Joseph Hy. Griffiths; Elizabeth Kenyon to Fanny Dauks Budden. Round Bush. —The position in connection with the mixed bush to the westward of and adjoining the scenic reserve, is that under the provisions of Section 14 of the Foxton Harbour Board Amendment Act, 1917, no hush on Section 332 may be leased, cut or damaged in any way without the prior consent of the Minister of Lands, so that the bush referred to is practically preserved from destruction at the present time.

Pilot’s Launch Insurance. —In reference to the question of insuring the Pilot’s launch I have not been able to get cheaper rate of premium on this class of risk than the one already submitted by the South British Insurance Co. Ltd., and although Mr Signal and I have been told off to seek better terms we have both failed.

Perreau’s Right-of-Way.— In connection with the formation of this right-of-way I have obtained from Mr Hartley an estimate of £l2. If successful in getting the work, he wduld undertake to unify the crown levels and as far as possible to fill in the low-lying portions of the right-of-way. He would also undertake to place scrub on the face of the right-of-way where the crust might be broken and would give the Board the best value for the money. Treasurer’s Balance. —Receipts: Balance as at 1/1/23 £461 18/1, pilotage £72 1/-, river lighting £2B 10/-, .wharfage (in) £257 17/7, do. (out) £ll2 19/6, ships dues £9 13s Bd, Wharangi rent £93 10/-, Sanatorium rent £l4, F.M. sites, Reserves, wharves, etc. £l5B 14/-, road contributions £3O 11/6, miscellaneous £B7O 6/6, total £2,110 1/10. Expenditure: Harbourmaster and assistant £127 7/-, kerosene and benzine £65 18/4, maintenance and repairs £22, office £lB5 18/6, handling, commission, etc. £152 16/8, miscellaneous £569 14s, survey (river and sections) £93, Insurance premiums £59 5/2, T/Exs.' £1 10s, interest and sinking fund £489 0/6, total £1,766 10/2. Balance at 1/6/23 £343 11/8.