FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2989, 21 January 1926, Page 3

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the above was held in Ross’s Buildings last night, presided over by the President (Mr. A. E. Admore). Also present were Messrs J. K. Hornblow, H. H. Hornblow, H. Osborne, D. Christie, R. McMurray, M. E. Perreau, and the secretary (Mr. F. Rimmer). THE SUNDAY TRAINS.

The president, referring to Sunday railway excursions from Palmerston North., said that there had been some dissatisfaction and misunderstanding in connection with the conveyance of passengers from the railway to the seaside. He pointed out that in order to make the excursions permanent, something definite would have to be done in connection with the transport of passengers at a fixed and reasonable fare. The Railway Department charged 2/9 return, a distance of 48 miles, and he was of opinion that a reasonable charge from Foxton station to the Beach should be 1/-, but it was optional for local carriers to charge what they liked. When he conferred with the Railway officials no definite arrangement was entered into to convey passengers to the seaside, but it was verbally agreed that the carriage of passengers should be 1/-. Mr. J Iv. Hornblow said the Railway Department had definitely advertised that the return fare from the railway terminus to the seaside would be 1/-. Surprise and unfavourable comment had been expressed by certain passengers that an amount in excess of this had. been charged. He then moved “that this Chamber express its appreciation of the Railway Department in running excursions from Palmerston North to Foxton and in order to make more satisfactory arrangements for the conveyance of passengers from the railway terminus to the seaside, the Department contract with some carrying firm and that the total charge be included in the Railway fare, and also that' the Chamber undertakes to assist the Department in this matter.”

This motion was seconded by the President and carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. H. Osborne, it was decided to ask the Railway Department to issue week-end tickets from Palmerston North to Foxton.

Mr. H. H. Hornblow (stationmaster) said that he had already recommended this.

It was pointed out that several passengers had recently failed to connect with the Foxton train at Palmerston N. owing alleged insufficient notification of the locality, time and departing place of the train at the station. BEACH ROADS.

A lengthy discussion took place in reference to reading facilities at. the seaside and it was decided to urge upon the Harbour Board the completion of the road connection leading to the Sanatorium and river foreshore, as at full ■ tide the road outlet to and from the river foreshore is impassable to traffic, whereas the completion of the road already formed would provide permanent and safe means of traffic.

Mr. McMurray (member of the Harbour Board) said the matter would be dealt with at the next meeting of the Harbour Board (Palmerston North, next Monday).

It was decided to consider some means of giving greater publicity to the Foxton beach as a seaside resort, as its advantages were not sufficiently known outside the Manawatu district.

It was stated, however, that there was insufficient accomodation at the seaside at present to meet the demand for( houses and that it would be a payable proposition for the Harbour Board or private enterprise to construct a kiosk with sleeping cubicles attached. It was decided to write to schools throughout the surrounding districts recommending the Beach as a suitable place for the. holding of school picnics. Mr. A. Alsop was elected a member of the Chamber.