FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2990, 26 January 1926, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING,

The usual monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held at the office of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board, Palmerston North, yesterday, presided over by the chairman (Mr. J, Linklater, M.P.). Also present were: —Messrs W. E. Barber, J. Chrystall, T. J. Clapham, E. K. B. liolben, M. Mortensen, R. MeMurray, and J. A. Nash M.P. Mr R. MeMurray spoko to a notice of motion given by him to strike a small rate. This would hot be hard oil anybody and “would increase the interest of the people of the district in the Harbour Board, which controlled a port of great importance to Palmerston North. Money was wanted. The Government had been very good in the past in making grants, but the Minister of Internal Affairs had pointed out that as a rating area was provided, no further grants could be made. Conditions had altered since the days when the Board had given an undertaking that no rate would be struck. Mr. MeMurray did not anticipate there would be much difficulty in collecting • a rate, as it could be handled like the hospital rate by the various local bodies.

Mr. J. Chrystall seconded the motion pro forma, as it was only fair to the ratepayers that the matter be discussed. There must have been strong reasons for the giving of what appeared to be a definite promise not to strike a rate for payment of interest on the loan raised at that time. It was probable the ratepayers had not sufficient confidence in Foxton harbour to pay a rate. Before he would support any proposition of the sort, Mr. Chrystall said he must have a definite guarantee of increased shipping, which he thought, they would not get. lie referred to past reports of engineers who were practically unanimous that retaining walls were essential. Not . only could Mr. Chrystall not see much chance of improved shipping', but the trend of modern transport, in his opinion, would tend to decrease traffic to the present wharf. "Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P., as the only original member of the Board present, spoke of the days when the Government, though lack of energy, care and attention on the Board’s part had had to take the harbour over. Then followed the tight to get hack local control, £20,500 being the price asked. Eventually, as tho result of a commission obtained by Mr. .John Stevens the then member for Rnngitikci £5,000 (less profit on the Government’s working of 'the port) was fixed, £IO,OOO being spent on a dredge and £I,OOO on buildings. Careful consideration was given to the raising of a £16,000 loan and before the ratepayers were approached, it was decided that no rate would be struck to meet the interest. Although not absolutely stated, ratepayers were practically assured the returns would justify the promise that no interest would be chargeable back to them. Mr.

Nash criticised the proposal to charge a small rate as being impracticable, on the ground of difficulty of collection and said the Board should launch out on a much bigger proposal in the direction of removing the wharf to Rush Flat, where deep water abounded. Then they -could go to the ratepayers for a loan of £25,000 to £40,000 with something tangible, leaving only the bar to be contended with. Once the wharf went down the river, the railway would be sure to follow. The Government was even considering a light railway at the present time —the question of coping with the pedestrian traffic alone warranted it. Mr. Nash went on to show that the town would not be prejudicially affected as a greater Foxton would be the ultimate result. Air. McMurray’s motion was only playing with the question. What was wanted was a bold policy with which they could go to the people, for Die benefit of the whole community.

Mr. E. R. Holben said no definite promise of increased business could be looked for, as the question had to be faced as a commercial proposition—the port would [only be used so long as it would meet re-

quirements. He referred to the loss of coal freight -caused by the 1913 strike, which had never come back to the port. If there was a receiv-

ing depot at Wellington to provide for the goods between shipments it was not being availed of. No firm would send cargo to 'the Wellington wharf to wait 20 or 24 hours for a boat and he instanced one case where this difficulty had caused ten days to elapse before shipment was finally effected. Facilities must be given to merchants who were not gelling the best service. Mr. Nash had struck the key-note when he refereed to the position of the wharf. Air. Holben was ’ satisfied it would

lave to go to Rush Flat, where

there was 13 or 14 feet of water and it had never altered for over 30 years, There was a safe anchorage there and dredging would be saved from the present wharf down the river. More stops had

aken place inside the river than on he bar-even if it got in, a boat va.s never sure of getting out again. Air. Al. Alortensen, though lie had

doubts as to the advisability of striking a rate, was glad Air. AfcAlurray had “broken the ice,” thus enabling the matter to be discussed. Certain districts were at present excluded from the rating area and to bring them in a fresh commission, involving expense and delay,

would have to be constituted. He appealed to Foxton members to tackle the matter seriously and go in for a comprehensive scheme which could be put before the pub-

he and on which a rate could justifiably be struck, f

Mr. W. E. Barber thought Mr. Nash’s scheme was the only one feasible and did not think Foxton would suffer if it were put into operation.

The chairman (Mr. Jos. Linklater, M.P.) said he had already expressed his opinion. When appointed chairman of the Board, he had voiced the opinion the wharf would ultimately go to Rush Flat, where there was no reason why they should not have as good a port as Wanganui. Mr. Linklater also touched on the proposed railway extension, which would enhance the value of the Board’s endowments and enable thousands of people to go down who were not able to do so now.

Mr. MeMurray agreed that Mr. Nash’s scheme to raise a loan for a progressive policy ’ was the better course to pursue and withdrew his motion.

It was decided that the Board join up with the Manawatu Employers’ Federation. Mr. T. L. Arnott was granted provisional lease of a section on the beach for the purpose of erecting a tea kiosk.

The matter of effecting repairs to the dredge “Hennessy” was left to Mr. Signal, provided they could be reasonably carried out without heavy expenditure, in which latter case he is to report to the Board. With regard to the matter of an overdraft, the Secretary pointed out that the Board had power to borrow up to a limit of £1656. It was thought not more than £4OO would he required. This would have to be liquidated by the end of the Board’s financial year or September 30th., 1926. There would be no neccessity to arrange for such an overdraft before the annual meeting next month (the Board’s year has been changed to end on September 30th, in future, instead "of December 31st).

The matter of responsibility for claims for damage to freight after waggons have left the Board’s siding was the subject of lengthy correspondence between claimant, the railway ,department, /and the Board. Finally the matter was left in the chairman’s hands, to press the Minister of Railways for a checker.