FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3675, 9 August 1927, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in Palmerston North on Saturday, presided over by Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., (chairman). Also present were Messrs E. R. B. Ilolben, W. E. Barber, M. Mortensen, H. Berry and A. J. Ivellow An apology was received from Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P. A letter was received from the New Zealand Railways (District Engineer’s office) intimating that the Department had' agreed to the Board’s request to have the West Coast shed private siding terminated. BOARD DREDGES. A report was received from Mr. P. Mackenzie, engineer, on the condition of the Board’s two dredges. The suction dredge, he advised the Board to dispose of at the first opportunity offering while the Priest - man grab, if mounted on a new pontoon and provided with anchor boiler, would be a useful machine. Without hopper barges, the suction dredge was of little use in the river. The Board decided to offer both vessels for sale. In a brief discussion that ensued upon the value of dredging in the river, Mr. Berry expressed the opinion that better results could be obtained by groynes and judicious planting. The chairman considered that groyning would cost a great deal of money and necessitate g'oing to the ratepayers. Mr. Barber said he did not have much faith in groynes. There was always the possibility of the river getting behind the groynes at flood time. Scouring would take place first on one bank and then the othci. He agreed that judicious willow planting was a good idea, however. The chairman remarked that it would be a long time before the Board could think of undertaking work of such a nature and in any case it would be a mistake to do anything until something was heard of the deviation in the rivre, proposed by the River Board. The discussion was then dropped.

The Manawatu Shipping Co., Ltd., wrote urging that the Board should again approach the Railway Department with the view of obtaininy a flat rate on goods of Aj. B, C arid D classes carried between Foxton and Palferston North.—Agreed to. Mr. Kellow raised the question of administration expenses which he considered too high. Mr. Mortensen said what was wanted was more trade. The Board could do much more business with the same working expenses. The chairman admitted that the shipping to the poi’t was very small. Mr. Kellow:/Can we improve the trade. If not,' we should endeavour to economise. The chairman stated that the river was in exceedingly good order at the present time. Further discussion was postponed until the secretary and a full Board was present. ;