FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2976, 17 December 1925, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING,

The usual monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Board’s office yesterday, presided over by the chairman (J. Linklater Escj., M.P.) and Messrs. J. A. Nash, M.P., E. R. B. Holben, W. E Barber, Mortensen, Clapham, R. MeMurray and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea). CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows :

From C. I. Munro, of Palmerston North, re patent open groyne which he believes will confine the Manawatu River to its channel.—Referred to the local committee to report on the matter

From T. Leslie Arnott asking permission to, erect a store on the tea kiosk reserve at the Beach.—Permission granted on a year-to-year lease, plans of building to be sub-mitted-to the Board for approval; site to be selected by the local committee.

From the secretary, P.N Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that a conference comprising the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, the writers,

Foxton Harbour Board and the Manawatu Shipping Co. be held to discuss the matter of a light draft steamer for the Foxton trade

The letter was forwarded through the Foxton Chamber of ; Commerce. Mo’. Holben said that Chambers of Commerce were proper bodies to deal with such matters. The Board could not guarantee any financial assistance in the matter.

The chairman said that although they could not assist financially they were only too pleased to adopt any suggestion re shipping. It was decided that the local committee represent the Board at any conference^

From Messrs. Levin and Co. declining the Board’s offer re office and stating that they had found it necessary to make arrangements for office accomodation elsewhere.

Mr. W. Signal waited on the Board on behalf of the Manawatu Shipping Co. in connection with the improvement of Robinson’s Bend. —lt was decided to request Mr. F. C. Hay, engineer, to report on the state of the river at the point and the advisability of putting in a groyne as recommended by Mr. Signal. WtHARF EXTENSION.

The board’s engineers, Messrs R. Climie and Son, wrote in reference to the wharf extension, stating that they had gone into the question of extending the new wharf a distance of 50 feet up stream, which portion could be used for the direct discharge off benzine 'into motor lorries. To enable the lorries to be backed against the wharf, it was suggested that a fill he made level with' the top of the septic tank and cut to the line of the store shed. To do this necessitated the construction of a retaining wall, to be made by driving Bin. x 2in. hardwood sheet piling. The filling, for which about 500 cubic yards of spoil was necessary, could be made by pumping sand with the dredge. In the estimate the value of all suitable timber from the dredge cradle had not been charged, hut only the cost of dismantling this cradle and transit of material to the site of the wharf. Five suitable piles had also been salvaged from the river. It was estimated that the cost of doing this work, on the same specification as for the present portion, would be £382 10s.

The chairman said that the Board could not entertain the matter at present. The matter was held over until next meeting. PILOT’S REPORT. The Pilot (Capt. Larsen) reported that as a result of the last flood, the bar is in a good condition, but Fisherman’s Flat and Robinson’s No. 1 are silted up. The boatshed at the Beach was shifted back 17 feet during the month and raised 15£ in. The recent flood and the westerly gale have again undermined the shed, but it is in no immediate danger as the front row of blocks are deeply embedded and bolted together with two stringers. The recent bad weather has also broken the two top piles of the jetty and the decking is more or less broken and washed away. Some of the decking has been located and also one girder belonging to the dredge cradle have been located at Rushflat.

DRAG SCOOP. Soundings were submitted by the Pilot taken before and after the trial run of the drag scoop. Taken, on the whole, the soundings were not satisfactory. —Decided that Mr. Joseph be given an opportunity of discussing the scoop with Mr. F. C. Hay when he makes an inspection of the river.

GENERAL. The following transfers were confirmed by the board: James Henry Petersen to Mrs Harriett Prentice; William Barnjett to Simeon Faraday Bailey. Advice was received re the Harbour Board conference to be held in Dunedin on March 2nd. —Referred to delegates. It was decided that the Board meet the fourth Monday in each month.

Mr. McMurray brought up the question of striking a small rate. He did not want a rate struck that would harrass anyone, but a small one that would let the people of the district see that there is a Harbour -Board and get them to. take an interest in the Board. He suggested a rate of l/60th of a penny in the £, which would bring in a revenue of £1266 per annum. The Board

had a good dredge and engineer and with this revenue coming in annually there was no reason whatever why they could not make Foxton a first class port. Mr. MeMurray gave notice of motion that he would move in this direction at next meeting.

It was also moved by Mr. MeMurray that the next meeting of the Board consider the advisability of appointing the secretay full-time secretary on an increased salary. The question of decking the siding at the goods shed was left in the hands of the local committee with power to act. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Wm. Ross for the donation of a regulation ambulance stretcher. Accounts amounting to £427 Is 2d were passed for payment. At the conclusion of the meeting Board members made an inspection of the river at Robinson’s Bend.