FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3522, 10 August 1926, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the secretary’s offie yesterday, presided over by the Chairman (J. Linklater, Esq., M.P.). Also present were Messrs E. R. B. Holben, R. McMurray and Chrystall. The Chairman’s annual report (as previously published) was read.

In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. E. R. B. Holben said that he thought the question of obtaining the titles for Board endowments could be held over in the meantime. It would prove a costly business. The board was jiist as secure without the titles as with them. The formation of a Town Board at the Beach was most important on the score of sanitation firstly. Taking the number of residences at the Beach into consideration, the conveniences obtaining at the seaside were very crude. A Town Board should be constituted in the interests of residents. The question of Beach water supply was also of vital importance. Public conveniences for visitors to the Beach was also a serious and pressing necessity. The question of providing an up-to-date sub-irriga-tion scheme was important. In reference to shipping coal through the port of Foxton, Mr. Holben said that the Board was up against the Government. The Railway Department would not have its coal shipped through Foxton. The Board could not legally expend money on a boat so the matter would have to be left as it was. He was pleased to note, however, the very busy appearance the Board’s shed presented that day. In respect .to wharf control, he was of opinion that the Board should have some definite arrangement with the Railway Department. At present the Department refused to accept any responsibility for goods shipped over the wharf. The responsibility for goods damaged in transit was pushed back on to the Harbour Board. He was of opinion the Department should be responsible for goods after they had taken delivery of them. Mr. McMurray: They are all checked into trucks by a railway employee. The secretary said that sometimes it was impossible to get a railway employee to check the goods. The Department made a charge of 1/10 per ton for a man to check the goods. Mr. Holben said that the Department should be written to and asked for better service. It was decided that the Chairman take the matter up with the railway department. RAILWAY TO BEACH. Continuing, Mr. Holben said he was sorry the Railway Department had shelved the question of providing a light railway line to the Beach. A light line to the Beach would be not only an advantage to the town of Foxton, but also to the Department. There were 20,000 people in Palmerston North and the local seaside was handy for the peojfie in this centre. There were no engineering difficulties to be overcome, and he hoped that in the near future the Department would see the necessity and advisability of sanctioning this line. In conclusion, Mr. Holben voiced the appreciation of the'Board members of the services rendered the Board by the Chairman. Mr. Linklater had always put his heart and soul into any matter in the interests of the Harbour Board both locally and in the House. He hoped lie would long be spared to be their chairman. No man could or would give the time and energies to the Board like their chairman did, (applause). In .returning thanks the chairman (Mr. J. Linklater, M.P.), said he was pleased to know he had given satisfaction as chairman. He had carried out. If the scheme was carried out the work of the Board to the best of his ability. He was pleased to see the progress made bytile Board during the past year. He would like to see more progress during the current year,, however. Little could be done towards improving the port, until it was known whether the Manawatu-Oroua River Board’s scheme was going to be carried out he was of opinion that it would be of great benefit to the port and Board. In discussing the balance-sheet, Mr. Holben said lie could see a big saving next year-. He estimated the expenditure would be reduced by £4OO. ENDOWMENTS. Mr. Holben said that some years ago the Board received a grant of £7OO from the Government for river improvement. Of late this had been curtailed. As the Board was not well endowed, he suggested that the Chairman take the matter up with the Minister of Marine with the object of having the amount reinstated on the Estimates for river improvements. This was agreed to. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

In moving that Mr. Linklater be re-elected chairman for the ensuing year, Mr. Holben said that he voiced the sentiments of Board members in doing so. Mr. Linklater, he said, had undoubtedly fulfilled the position as chairman exceedingly well in the past. He had always heartily co-operated with members on all matters and he hoped Mr. Linklater would long fill the position as chairman. Mr. Chrystall seconded the mo-, ■tion, which was carried by acclamation. Mr. Linklater returned thanks,

Mr. W. E. Barber was re-elected treasurer. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows : From the Railway Department, submitting a working agreement for the wharf and siding.—Decided to hold the matter over and in the meantime) the chairman to interview the chairman of the RailwayBoard re getting a better method of cheeking goods from the shed into the trucks. From same submitting agreement re new private siding.—Signed. From same submitting agreement re old private siding.—Signed. From Palmerston Branch Acclimatisation Society re llax refuse.—Received. From Messrs R. Moore and Bergine re by-laws. —Received. From Beach Improvement Committee re various matters dealt with by its deputation.—Received. From Palm Dairy Co., re Round Bush rent. —Received. From Manawatu Shipping Co., re Robinson’s Bend. —Received. From Harbours’ Association enclosing copy of “The Oil in Territorial Waters Bill.”—Received. From same re “The Local Government Loans Board Bill. —Received. GRAB DREDGE. The Chairman moved a motion of appreciation to Mr. Akers for his gift to the Board of a grab dredge. Mr. Holben said that he w-as of opinion that the dredge would cost a good deal to dismantle and remove to Foxton. He did not think that the dredge would be of much practical use to the Board. It was wrongly constructed. Mr*. McMurray said that the dredge, with slight alteration, would be quite workable. It would cost very little to refloat and bring down to Foxton as the pontoon was in good order. The Chairman was of opinion that the dredge should be viewed by Board members before any action was taken. This was agreed to. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs R. McMurray, Kennedy and Hetta for their action in securing the grab dredges during the recent flood. FLAXMILL SITES. It was decided to write to local mill owners along the river bank stating that the Board liar decided to charge easement rent right for foreshore properties at 5/- per week per stripper as from the 9th inst.; the matter to be reviewed yearly. GENERAL. A hearty vote of appreciation was moved to the secretary (Mr. Roore)' and his staff, the Chairman remarking that the secretary had his heart in his work and had fulfilled; his duties well idurpigthei past year. The Board was very fortunate to have such an efficient secretary as Mr. Roore.

It was decided to write Messrs Hopwood and Co. stating that they could store cement in the Board s shed at their own risk.