FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2891, 2 June 1925, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING. The following: is further business transacted at. Saturday’s annual meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board : CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: From the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, asking the Board to cooperate with them in a request, that the Railway Department ship coal for railway use through the port of Foxton. —Agreed to. Front same, asking co-operation in an endeavour to get the. Manawatu and 'Horowhenua County Councils to start their main highway work at Foxton. —Agreed to cooperate with the Chamber in any deputation, on the matter, Messrs Chrystall, MeMurray and the Chairman to represent the Board. ANNUAL REPORT.

The fllowing is a continuation of the chairman’s annual report:— Training walls at the heads.— The question of erecting walls at Manawatu Heads has had my attention for some considerable time and owing to the want of finance to carry out. such a. huge undertaking I feel somewhat reluctant to introduce, the subject for your consideration. I have been approached by Captain Larsen who has a modified scheme in view for confining the water at the jetty. His theory is supported by Mr Climie. In conjunction with the scheme the matter of planting willow-trees along the river-bank from Robinson’s Bend to Rush Flat will have to be undertaken. The proposal is to drive manuka sticks three to four feet apart in lieu of boulders, and as time goes on these manuka stakes will collect refuse and will also reclaim the land on the opposite side of the channel. They will practically serve a dual purpose in that they will reclaim (be land and confine the river and channel. A fortnight’s work for two or three men will be sufficient, to bring about a consummation of the work. Nightwafeliman. —It will be necessary, in my opinion, to again appoint a nightwatclnnan to watch over things during the night: and I am given to understand that one can be engaged immediately at a reasonable salary. Dredge.—Since losing the services of Mr. Signal the dredge has had to stand by without anyone to watch over her. I would suggest that a caretaker be appointed. Now goods shed. —Before the new goods shed can be worked economically and expeditiously the following appliances must be obtained: —1 portable crane to lift, about 20 owl.; 1 set of Fairbanks scales; 4 3-wheel trucks: and a railway siding. li. is useless, in fact, to work the shed without those requisites. Lighting, at present, is wanting and this must be installed at the earliest possible momejp.

Railway sidings.— The Railway Department is desirous to know whether the Board is prepared to renew the lease of the private siding by MeMurrny’s shed. As far as the Department is concerned the same is prepared to have it renewed for a term of 5 years.

Launch-engine. —In reference to the installation of the launch engine we have two tenders to decide on and as this work is urgently required I would like to have, if possible, your decision to-day. Benzine.—The question of unloading benzine through the new goods shed when general cargo is intermingled is a difficult one. The only alternative is to build a. platform or race outside the- southern end of the shed. This will obviate the necessity of rushing benzine through the shed.

Bi'east- work. —It is obvious to me that some permanent breastwork should be constructed without the shed in order to consolidate the approaches to same. If this work is undertaken now the cost may not amount, to a very large sum. I, therefore make this suggestion in order that you may give same your earnest consideration.

Office strong room. —The necessity of preserving office records is of vital importance and I would suggest, that a strong room be provided as soon as possible. Decided that, the local committee deal with the matter of installing a new engine in the pilot.'s launch. The question of purchase of scales for the new shed was left in the hands of the local committee with power to act. It was resolved that the nightwatchman be re-instated now that the shed was completed. Decided to leave the matter of purchase of safe for the office in the hands of Mr Nash, and office requirements in the hands of the secretary and treasurer.

The question of the formation of a Town Board at the Beach was deferred. Decided to advertise a further batch of beach sections for sale. It was resolved to write to the Wellington Harbour Board for information re storage of goods at the shed, and the Chairman was deputed to arrange with the RailwayDepartment to sign for goods when delivered on trucks from the shed, and also, to make further arrangements about the new siding. Each member of the Board was supplied with a. plan of the Te Wharangi settlement and asked to submit twelve names for streets to the next meeting. It was resolved that iVii stall bring down a report on the

liaxmill sites and submit to next meeting. It. was decided to grant Messrs Levin and Co. the lease of portion fit! the Harbour Board shed site, together with the use of the old shed for .15/- per week; and also to let to Messrs Levin and Co. portion of the coal hunkers at 10/- per week, lease to be renewed annually. A lease was granted from the Board to Hagan Christensen, of Palmerston N. Accounts amounting to £077 were passed for payment. It was decided that the secretary he instructed to have machinery made in accordance with plans and specifications submitted to the Board by Mr Lockwood for the purpose of deepening the channel, that Messrs Levin and Co. be interviewed re hire of a boat to work the apparatus and that the idea he given a trial. Mr Lockwood and two other men to he engaged in the work. The amount to be expended on machinorv not to exceed £SO.