FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3619, 29 March 1927, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

MEETING OF LOCAL COMMITTEE. A meeting of the local committee of the Foxton Harbour Board was held at the Board’s office on Saturday evening, presided over by Mr. AY. E. Barber. There were also present: Messrs J. Chrystall, R. McMurray, the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea), and the pilot (Captain Larsen). PILOT’S REPORT. The pilot reported that during the past week a phenomenal tidal wave was experienced which destroyed the jelly and . the Board’s boat shed at the Beach. Drift wood at the river mouth and Hag staff was washed up stream which caused the destruction of the structures. Portions of the jetty were washed on to Rush Flat and further inland. One or two houses were also threatened but the extent of the damage done is not so serious as was at first anticipated. Drift wood was also piled up on the river foreshore in front of the dwellings. I would recommend the immediate re-erection of the shed as my work is seriously hampered for the want of such building. In adopting the report, it was resolved. on the motion of Mr. Chrystall, seconded by Mr. McMurray, to request the pilot to furnish the Board with the estimated cost of shifting and re-erecting the shed and as far as possible to use as much of the old material as is available. INSURANCES. ' It was resolved to ask the Board to recommend the Harbours Association to urge upon the Government to provide legislation enabling Harbour Boards to contribute to a common fund to off-set the whole of their insurance risks. ACCOUNTS. It was recommended that accounts amounting to £22 14s 5d be passed for payment. MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday morning, presided over by Mr. J. Linklater M.P., chairman. There were also present: Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., J. Chrystall, R. McMurray, and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea). Leave of absence was granted to Messrs AY. E. Barber, E. R. B. Holben and Mortensen. Arising out of the local committee’s report it was resolved to ask the local committee to confer with the Beach Improvement Committee re the demolition or re-erection of the jetty, with power to act and to instruct the pilot to recover the jetty timber. The re-erection of.the pilot’s shed to be left in the hands of the local committee with power to act.

It was resolved to forward remit !e 5- j, e insurance to the executive of the Harbour Boards’ Association—The secretary stated that the insurance premises had risen from £SO in 1924 to £179 19s lOd in 1926. A letter was received from Colonel Mitchell asking whether the Board’s suction dredge was for sale. —It was pointed out that tho dredge had done good work at the jetty and at Robinson’s bend. . Mi'. McMurray said the Board should back up the Manawatu-Oroua Rivers Board scheme which provided for straightening the river, which would prevent the present banks and erosion and so obviate dredging. Mr. Chrystall said the sand drift nuisance could be minimised by planting marram grass, lupin and suitable trees along the south bank of the river and that trailing walls would be necessary to improve the channel, which was continually changing. Mr. McMurray suggested that Messrs Linklater and Nash attend a meeting of those interested in the River Board scheme and explain tho Board’s position. The chairman and Mr. Nash said they would attend the meeting if invited to do so but the Board was not cited as a local body. It was decided to inform Colonel Mitchell that the dredge was not for sale. The chairman was authorised to wait upon the Marine and Forestry Departments with a request that the south banks of the river be planted with marram grass and suitable trees to prevent the drift sand menace.

It was decided that the local committee confer with the Beach Improvement Committee re planting of macrocarpa trees at the seaside. Mr. Nash M.P., said that the Board must clo something' to ensure a regular shipping service between Wellington and Foxton. He stated that the Mauawatu Shipping Co. had done its best to provide a suitable service, but assistance would have to be given by the Board to subsidise shipping. To this end special legislation would have to be sought. He moved that the chaiiman and himself wait upon the Government on the matter. Seconded by Mr. Chrystall and carried. The chairman was authorised .to wait upon the chairman and engineer of the Manawatu County Council with the object of completing the road to the sanatorium. Accounts were passed for payment and several minor matters attended to.