FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3772, 27 March 1928, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. ' .• f The usual monthly meeting of the Fox ton Harbour Board was held in the Board’s office on Monday morning, presided over by Mr. J. Linklater, M.P. (chairman). Also present were Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., E, R. B. Holben, H. Berry, Mortensen, and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea). Apologies for absence was received from Messrs W. E. Barber and A. Kellow. DREDGE HENNESSY. * The Chairman reported on art interview with McArthur Bros., of Wellington, re the sale of the dredge Hennessy. McArthur Bros.’ engineer intended to make an inspection of the dredge at Easter with a view to purchasing same. It was decided to ask Col. Mitchell, of Wellington, for the immediate return of the dredge plans. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: From the N.Z. Railways enclosing documents renewing cai’t access over the railway line to the Harbour Board shed for 21 years. ( .—Received. From the Patea Farmers’ Cooperative Freezing Co., Ltd., offering thep.s. Waverley for ceived. > LEASES. An extension of lease for a further term of 14 years over lot 13 and part 14 Sanatorium was granted W. Devine, of Palmerston North. ... 7 A sub-lease from S. Davey to C. Edwards for 8 years was granted. A transfer was granted from Mrs! A. E. Archer to Aputa Ihakara, lot 24. It was decided that the next meeting be held in Palmerston N. on the last Monday in April. WHARF CHARGES.

Mr. H. Osborne waited on the Board with a request that it give consideration to the question of reducing its wharfage charges. He sthted that he had recently acquired a scow for the WellingtonFoxton trade and he submitted figures in connection with the running of same since February 29th, which showed that if the venture was to be a success more patronage would have to be forthcoming. To ejicourage this lie had considerably reduced his freight on through freight from Wellington to Palmerston North, and had made a thorough canvass of the district and Wellington for trade. To assist the trade to the 'port he now requested the Board to make some reduction on its part of the wharfage charges. The Chairman said the Board appreciated Mr. Osborne’s enterprise in placing a boat on the Foxton run, and they would be only too pleased to assist him with his project in every way possible, but financially they were not in a very good position. Mr. Osborne referred to the fact that owing to striking a log in the river the “Portland” had smashed a propeller, and this had caused him a good deal of expense. Referring to the wharfage charges Mr. Osborne said that at the present time it cost more to get goods through the port of Foxton it did by motor lorry or rail. He urged that now that he had reduced his freight charges the' Board should act similarly and reduce the wharfage charges. The reductions made included deductions of 1/6, on Foxton and surrounding district freights. When Mr. Osborne withdrew the Board gave the matter serious consideration. Mr. Holben said at present time the railways and 'motor lorries were see-sawing with each other in freight cutting, and it was a case of the survival of the fittest. The Board, of course, was suffering as a result. The whole transport system had been revolutionised since the macadamisation of the roads. He did not think it would be a wise move for the Board to reduce its charges under the circumstances.

Mr. Berry held an opposite view considering it would be better for the Board to reduce its charges and handle a quantity at a lower rate than little at a higher charge. Mr. Nash said the railways were out to beat the lorries and consequently were up against the Harbour Board. If the shipping to the port could be increased the redufltion. suggested would be nothing. Mr/ Berry: A reduction in the charges would be an inducement to merchants to ship their goods through the port. We should give all the assistance possible to any venture to increase local shipping. Mr. Mortensen was of opinion that trade would be brisker when the Shannon Bridge was completed. A reduction in the wharfage charges would not make any difference. Good roads would greatly assist the port, and if the Levin road was in a better state he was sure there would be more trade through the port for Levin. It was decided that the matter was too important to decide on immediately, and it was held over until next meeting. Mr. McGregor was granted permission to remove the logs in the river under the supervision of the pilot.