FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3726, 6 December 1927, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the secretary’s office yesterday, presided over by Mr. J.'.Linklater, M.P. Also present were: Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., W. E. Barber, M. Mortensen, J. Chrystall, H. Berry, A. J. Kellow, and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea). CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT. The Chairman’s annual report was read as follows: “In submitting- my annual report, I desire to say that shipping, in the main, has, as contemplated, not shown any improvement upon last year’s operations, and there is still room for expansion. In this connection I have reason to believe that improvement will yet be shown. The facilities at the port augur well for the future. I am still hopeful that another steamer will take up the running not only between Wellington and Poston, but between the port and beyond Lyttelton. Shippers and Consignees alike would welcome the establishment of a regular shipping service between Foxton and the South Island ports. ‘'Endowments: —During the year I had occasion to instruct the Board’s solicitors to obtain a Land Transfer Title in respect of its endowment fronting the river between the Pumping Station and Nye’s mill as at present no title has been sued. \ ■ “Tree Planting: —Tree planting on the accretion land has been extensively canned out with good results. The Board is indebted to the members of the Beach Improvement Committee for voluntary services rendered in this connection. “Town Board: —It is thought desirable to consider the question of forming a Town Board at Te Wharangi. The growth of this resort during the last few years has been very rapid and consequently the ne- • cessity for proper and efficient con- , trol is very apparent in the matter of sanitation, and care of property,, etc. At present this resort is getting too wieldy for in’esponsible control. I am assured by residents that the movement will meet with general approval. The advantages of local government to bo-th Board and the Lessees are self-evident.

“Dredges During the year various expert reports have been obtained regarding the dredge “Hennessy” and the Grab Dredge with the result that they all recommended placing same on the market. “Coal: —'Numerous requests have been made by Chambers of Commerce and Borough Councils to resuscitate the coal trade through the port. The question of subsidising the purchase of a suitable boat to run between Westport or' Grey- 1 mouth at regular intervals is under consideration. To again ask the Government to land the coal at Foxton and save haulage over Pai-j kakariki may be advisable. Years ago when a private company owned the Manawatu railway the matter presented little or no difficulty, but since the acquisition of the Line by the 'State, haulage from Wellington superseded the more economical transport through the port. “Flaxmili Sites: —The question of linalising the boundaries and titles is still in the hands of the Board’s solicitors and I am hopeful that at no distant date the matter will be finally and satisfactorily settled. “Hemp Transport:—Recent innovation regarding the transport of hemp by motor lorries to Wellington has come under my notice and from a shipping stand-point this is to be viewed with no uncertain concern, but I sincerely hope that this departure will produce no detrimental effect to the port.

“Artesian Bore:—The artesian bore at JVlanawatu Heads is now functioning and doubtless this will be an asset to Te Wharangi. “Subsidy:—During the current session the member for Palmerston North and I have, been urging special legislation enabling Harbour Boards, where necessary, to subsidise the matter of purchasing suitable boats and obtaining the controlling interest in such boats, so far we have yet to learn from the Minister of Marine whether he will take any action or not. We are, however, hopeful that our endeavours will be fruitful. ' "?'■ “Support:—Allow me per medium of this report to urge the ratepayers through their representatives on this Board to accord the port and boat their hearty co-operation as without it the rate, as set out in the schedule of “The Poxton Harbour Amendment Act, 1917,” will have to be resorted to. Up to the present we have been able to carry on without striking a rate to pay interest and sinking fund and with the support of those in the rating area we hope that any step in this direction will be quite uncalled for. “Appretiation:—I take this opportunity of expressing appreciation of r aetivities of the Beach Improvement Committee for the improvements effected at Te Wharangi and for voluntary services rendered by its individual members. In this connection I have to command all for their invaluable services in the interest of the Beach and its environments. “Conclusion: —' In conclusion, gentlemen, I desire to thank you for the loyal support accorded me during the year and for the very keen interest centred in the work and I sincerely hope that the current year will assuredly mark an era of gress.” 1 i The Chairman expressed appreciation of the efforts of the staff

during the year, which had greatly assisted him with his work. The report was adopted. MOTION OP SYMPATHY. A motion of sympathy was passed to Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Barber, and Mr. J. T. Whyte and family in their recent bereavement. THE BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet was read and adopted. GENERAL ACCOUNT.' ; Receipts.—-Balance 1/10/26 £4O 19s Bd, pilotage £lB6 13s (id, river lighting £GB, wharfage (inward) £1373 6s 4d, do., (outward) £209 8s sd, ship’s dues £22 11s Id, rents £642 19s 3d, miscellaneous £72 2s 9d, Dr. balance £354 14s Bd, a total of £2970 15s Bd. , Expenditure.—Salaries £1453 12s lOd, benzine, kerosene, etc., £29 5s lOd, maintenance and repairs £56 10s lid, office expenses £l3O 2s Id, Commission £4 19s 2d, travelling expenses £35, dredging £3, insurance £IOB 19s 6d, water (artesian bore at beach, etc.) £133 19s Bd, miscellaneous £175 5s Bd, interest and sinking fund £B4O, a total of £2970 15s Bd.

ABSTRACT OF BALANCES. Credit balances: Tenants’ Contributions £157 11s 9d, Sinking .Fund £llOB 16s 4d, debit Bank New Zealand £314 8s 3d, a total of £ISBO 16s 4d.

Debit balances. — General A/c. £354 14s Sd, Tenants’ Contributions £ll7 5s 4d, P/T Sinking Fund A/c. £llOB 16s 4d, a total of £ISBO 16s 4d.

The balance-sheet was discussed at some length in committee and upon resuming Mr. J. A. Nash said that he was of opinion, owing to the state of the finances, that unless some improvement in shipping took place before jVlarch next that it would be absolutely necessary for the Board to strike a small rate sufficient to raise £I,OOO to cover its deficit in the future. He impressed upon members that the suggestion was not with a view to levying-an annual rate, but merely to get over the Board’s present difficulty. He hoped, however, that in the meantime shipping would improve to such an extent that there would be no necessity to carry out his sug-

gestion. On the motion of Mr. A. Kellow, it was decided that the secretai'y and local committee go into the matter of -ways and means of reducing expenditure. In moving the motion Mr. Kellow said that the Board’s affairs had now reached that state where its revenue was decreasing instead of increasing. The only way for the Board to improve its finances was to decrease its expenditure. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., was reelected chairman, and Mr. W. E. Barber treasurer.

Mr. Linklater in returning thanks for being re-elected chairman, said that he had done his best during the past term and was sorry his efforts on behalf of the port had not been more successful. He expressed the hope that the 1928 term would be more successful.

On the motion of Mr. J. A. Nash, it was decided to place on record the Board’s appreciation of the services of the secretary and staff during the past year. Mr. Nash said that Mr. Roore had proved himself a very satisfactory officer of thle Board. The Chairman endorsed Mr. Nash’s remarks and said throughout the year the secretary’s efforts on behalf of the Board had been ably backed up by the staff.

MONTHLY MEETING. The business of the annual meeting being concluded, the usual monthly meeting was held. BEACH MATTERS.

The Chairman reported on several matters which had been referred to the local committee at the last meeting of the Board. Low-lying area. —The committee inspected the low-lying area at the rear of residences along the foreshore and west of the hall and was of opinion that a drain could be laid to the foreshore without any great cost, which would prevent water aceummulating in this locality.—Referred to the chairman to consult section-holders concerned. Sanatorium, and Hall roads. — An inspection had been made of these two roads which were in need of attention. The committee was of opinion that the Hall road would be greatly improved with a few loads of sand on it. It had a good foundation of clay and the sand would bind the surface well, given a little wet weather. The Sanatorium road would be greatly improved with a few loads of sand also.

Mr. Chrystall: It would be all right to do the work, but we haven’t a penny. A letter was read from the Foxton Chamber of Commerce urging the Board to put the Sanatorium road in order to provide- safe- access to the beach. Mr. Chrystall: I fail to see that it’s the Board’s duty. Mr. Mortensen asked if the road was a dedicated one. ■Mr. 'Chrystall: It belongs to the Manawatu County Council. Mr. J. A. Nash: It is in our endowment. It has never been taken over by the County Council. The matter wants investigating, i ,The chairman said the local committee had investigated the matt.tr and suggested that the road be . sanded where it is lpw-lying. It would not require more than 20 or 30 loads.

Mr. Berry: If the water is drained off and the area made to look more like sections instead of Venice it .will sell like hot cakes.

Mr. Chrystall: The balance-sheet discloses a serious position. Mr.. Nash suggested that £5 be expended on the road if authorised by the Auditor-General. Mr. Chrystall: I’d like to see £SO spent on it if possible.

TRANSFER. ** A. transfer of part section 268, |Blk. 1, Moutere was authorised from W. E. Carthew (Feilding), to C. T. Brewer (Palmerston North). GENERAL. A motion was passed authorising an increase in the bank overdraft.. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £590 0s lid. Messrs -J. A. Nash, and the chairman were deputed to interview the Auditor-General in connection with the balance-sheet: The next meeting of the Board was fixed for the last Monday in January, to be held in Palmerston North. At the conclusion of business the chairman extended the compliments of the season to members and wished them a merry ’Xmas and a prosperous New Year, which sentiments were reiterated by members.