FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2924, 18 August 1925, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The usual monthly meeting of the

Fox ton Harbour Board was held in the Board’s Office on Monday presided over by the chairman (J. Linklater Esq., M.P.) and also present were Messrs. J. A. Nash, E. R. B. Hoiben, .J. Chrystall, W. E. Barber,- E. McMurray, Mortensen and the secretary (Mr. Roore Rangiheuea). CORRESPONDENCE.

was read and dealt with as follows :

From the Foxton Chamber, of Commerce, asking the Board to arrange a conference of all local bodies within its rating area, to consider improvements to the port, increased shipping and any matters of general interest.—lt was decided the Board is in sympathy with the question but finds it is unable to deal with the matter at present and it was referred to the next meeting.

From the Census and Statistic office, Wellington, in reference to the collection of quarterly loan statistics. —Received.

From the Railway Department enclosing authority to lay ]:>ij>es under the railway line:. —Received. From! Messrs. Goldingham and Beckett Ltd., stating that they are short of one ease of goods from a shipment last month.

The secretary reported that the goods had since been located. McMurray said that goods were easily mixed up in the shed and carriers were not in the habit of carefully examining marks on packages.

Mr, Hoiben said that carriers should no be allowed to help themselves to goods. The storeman should keep a careful cheek on all goads.

Mr. Nash said that the Board would have to be very careful with regard to wrong forwarding of goods and moved that the sto.reman be written to and asked to report to the Board he cause of he trouble. The motion was carried.

From the Marine Department enclosing copy of a general harbour regulation making provision for accidents to men employed in handling cargo on the wharf. —Received. From the Stale Forest Service Rotorua, stating that it cannot fulfil the Board’s order for pinus insignia and pinus muricata two-year-old trees this season as they have only seedlings in stock. —Decided to order trees for next season.

Prom the National Electrical and Engineering Coy., Ltd. asking for the Boards rate for goods shippod through the port of Foxton. —Secretary to forward information.

From Messrs Moore & Bergin, solicitors, Foxton, stating that in accordance with instructions they had applied to the Foxton Borough Council to have the District Valuation Roll amended, and to cancel so much of the demand for rates, £52 18s fid, served on the Board as related to the wharf and shed, the unimproved value of which is shown as £IOOO. The Council referred this matter to Mr. T. F. Martin, counsel for the New Zealand Municipal Association, who confirmed their contention, and has advised the Council that all the land utilised for wharves and sheds under the control of the Harbour Board is exempt from rates. Also asking the Board to prepare a plan of the land on which rates have been demanded, and show the area used for Harbour works under the Board’s control and any area not so used. The rate demand will then be amended. —Received, it being decided to forward the Board’s plan to Messrs. Moore & Bergin. From the Manawatu Mills Coy., asking for a copy of the Board’s charges for handling cargo on the wharf consisting of wheat, Hour, potatoes, bran and pollard. —To be forwarded. From the Tokomaru Harbour Board, asking for a copy of the Board’s by-laws.—Received. From Mr. C. Dawson notifying the Board that a culvert in front of his residence has fallen in, and stating that if the Board will supply 30ft. of fi inch pipes he is prepared to lay same. —The pilot to furnish report concerning same. From the Harbour Boards’ Association asking support in objecting to proposed regulations in reference to the handling of accident eases on wharves. —Decided to support the objection and the matter was placed in the hands of the chairman to bring up in Parliament. From same, notifying the Board of the annual conference to be held in Dunedin next year.- —Decided that chairman and Mr. Hoiben represent the Board.

From the secretary of the Harbour Boards' Association £e the setting up of a Board of Appeal, asking the Board to authorise him to place the Foxton Board’s views on the matter before the Committee if necessary. —Request aeceeded to. From Mr. Free, Palmerston North, asking if the Board is prepared to sell sections opposite the swings at the Beach. —Decided to

advise Mr Free that the Board is not prepared to cut up the land opposite the swings, but advising him that there are fifty sections for sale further up towards the sea front; also that the Board is going to inspect reserve with a view to cutting up 30 to 40 sections. Decided that the Board members meet at the seaside on Monday at 2.30 p.m. to go into the matter of cutting up further sections. The secretary’s action in asking the Harbour County Council to remove the portion of the Shannon bridge anchored opposite the boat shed, which will soon constitute a ’ menace to shipping, was endorsed,

the Board giving tlie Council 14 days notice to remove same.

Decided that Messrs. Chrystall, W. E. Barber and McMurray go into the matter of preparing by-laws for the Board and have' same printed after the persual of the Board. The secretary was instructed to procure copies of different Board’s by-laws.

GENERAL. Mr McMurray was accorded a vote of thanks for a donation of an ambulance stretcher to the Board.

With the permission of the Board Mr McMurray withdraws his notice of motion re wharf charges, it being decided to review the matter in six months’ time.

PILOT’S REPORT. The Pilot (Mr. C. Larsen) reported as follows: — The new engine has been satisfactorily installed in the Pilot Launch and is a great improvement on the old “Zealandia.” As regards the consumption of benzine it. has not had a real test as I have not had very long runs yet. As the Board is not likely to use the old engine again, I would advise the Board to try and sell it for what they can gel as it will only deteriorate lying in the shed. I have had the propeller of Zealandia engine lilted for a shaft for the new engine as a stand-by. Jetly.—The steps of the jetty are in want of repair. They have been gradually eaten awav by some water grub, one step being gone altogether and there is no place to repair it as the sides are also gone. These steps are now very dangerous to the public. If the Board intends to repair same, I suggest that ii would be advisable that some of 1 lie timber for the cradle, of the dredge lie used as it is hard wood and (Suitable for such work. It would need to lie taken to the sawmill to he sawn info the sizes.

Lupin Growing.—Last February the sand hills along the sea beach were planted with lupin branches, having seeds. These are now growing well, the young lupins being out already. On the front of the hills some of the branches are buried in sand, hut no doubt, they will grow. This way seems to ho the best way of planting lupin in the sand hills where the sand is continually drifting. Tree Growing.—The pinus insignis trees that were planted last year are doing very well. There were a few that were scratched away by rabbits hut these have been attended to and they are now progressing very well. SOUNDINGS FOR JULY 1025. July Bth: Messrs. Signal, MeMnrray and Rangiheuea came down with s.l. Madai and sounded the bar. I,east water Oft. one hour before HAY. The channel had changed straight out. On the 7th s.s \Vaverly came in along the North beach. DAY. at 11.15 a.in. (tide good). July 10th: Mr. Signal came down with s.l. Madai and sounded bar, Sf(. Gin. at HAY. Fisherman's Flat Bfi Jin. The channel changed hack to vhe old place on the Hat. IT.YS. at 0.53 p.m., (tide moderate).

July 11th: s.s. Kennedy stuck at Robinson’s No. 1, draft 7ft. lim; following tide gof off, after I ran o line ashore. During- the Hood Robinsons No. 1 tilled up considerably. H.W. at 1.44 p.m. July 13th: Sounded Robinsons No. 1, Oft. Sin. at HAY. H.W. at 3.40 p.m. July 10th: Sounded bar, 7ft. at HAY. Fisherman’s Flat, 7ft. lI.W. at 3.34 p.ni. July 18th: s.s. Kennedy in from Wellington draft Oft. fiin. Stuck at: Robinsons, No. 1. Discharged all cargo into punts and sailed for Lylie!toil. lI.W. at 8.20 tun. .July 27th: Tried to sound the bar but too much sea. Sounded Fisherman’s Flat, Bft. 3in. at. HAY. HAY. at 1.40 p.m.

July 28th: Air. Signal came down with s.l. Aladai. Sounded bar, Bft. one hour before HAY. HAY. at

2.20 p.m,

July 20th: Sounded bar, Bft. at lIAY. Fisherman’s Flat, 7ft. 4in., Rush Flat to Maori camp, Bft. oin._, Robinsons (No. 3), 9ft., Robinsons (No. 2), Bft., Robinsons (No. 1), 7ft. 4in., Duncan’s bend to Wharf, 7ft. 3in.

By these soundings with high water at. 3.22 p.m. it can be seen that the river and bar have changed considerably. The river and- bar are now very good and it is to be hoped that, they will remain the same

The report was adopted and the pilot authorised to renovate the jetty steps.

Decided to use portion of the dredge “cradle” material for decking the new railway crossing. Messrs. Barber Chrystall aud AlcMurray were appointed a local committee.

It was decided to advertise the old launch engine for sale.

It was decided to write to the Harbours’ Association in reference to payment of travelling expenses. it was decided to write to Mr. A. hi. Lockwood Jnr., asking him to be present at a meeting of the local committee when the question of the “drag-scoop” will be reviewed.

The action of the Chairman and ALr J. A. Nash in purchasing a new safe for the Board was endorsed. Accounts amounting to £226 were passed for payment . LEASES. The following leases and tranters were confirmed: — Leases: Board to W. P. Mounter; Board to G. Caunell aud AI. Maepherson; Board to W. Robbie. Transfers: E. P. Petersen to J. H. Petersen; and J. B. Watehom to A. A. Farralier; W. Turner- to A. E. Archer.