FLAX REFUSE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3569, 30 November 1926, Page 2

FLAX REFUSE.

MENACE TO SHIPPING. HARBOUR BOARD NOT SATISFIED. The Foxton Harbour Board has, for some time, been prosecuting inquiries as to the culprits in regard to the tow menace in the Mnnawatu River. It was discovered that waste tow and other mill refuse was finding its way into the river and proving a serious menace to shipping owing to it causing silting up at various localities between the wharf and the bar. Representations have been made by the Board to the Marine Department and Acclimatisation Society to send rangers to Foxton to investigate the trouble and at yesterday’s of the Foxton Harbour Board the following report was read from the Wellington Acclimatisation Society’s ranger: — “I have, within the last month, paid frequent visits to the flax mills in. the vicinity of Foxton, and am satisfied that all reasonable care is being taken by those in charge of these mills. I shall continue to pay periodical visits, but I am satisfied they are all doing their best to stop fibre from entering the river.”

Mr J. A. Nash was not at all satisfied with the report. “Why,” he said, “as Mr Holben and myself came along the wharf to this meeting we saw two huge lumps'of tow floating down the river. It hadn’t come far either, as it was quite dry. This Board should reply'io the Society that the nuisance still exist* and should ask the Marine Department if something could not be done to stop the nuisance.” Mr Holben was also of opinion that some action should be taken in the matter.

Mr Chrystall said that once tow became embedded on the bottom of the river it was impossible to dredge it out. The secretary was instructed to make further representations to both the Marine Department and Acclimatisation Society with a view to having the nuisance abated.