FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3960, 25 June 1929, Page 2

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in Palmerston North yesterday, Mr. J. Linklater, M.P., presiding. Also present were Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., W. E. Barbei’, R. Edwards, C. Blenkhorn, M. E. Perreau, R.. Bryant and A. J. Kellow’. LEASE OF RUSH FLAT. In connection with the leasing of Rush Flat, it was decided that the period of the lease should not lie greater than 21 years. The amoumt of compensation for' improvements effected during the term of the lease will also be limited. The matter is to he referred to the board’s solicitor before any finality is reached. UNFAIR FREIGHT CONCES- . SION. Advice was received from Messrs Goldingham and Beckett, Ltd., to the effect that a Christchurch biscuit and confectionery firm paid freight on its products to 'Wellington and Wanganui, but would not pay freight to Foxton. It was suggested that the matter be referred to the Palmerston North and Foxton (Chambers of Commerce in an endeavour to have the freight paid Vonr to obtain such reduced freight. The board agreed to the suggestion, it being pointed out that the board should make every endeavor to obtain such freight. Mr. Blenkhorn: “That is information we should be thankful for.” DISCUSSION ON FINANCES.

The following financial statement showing the receipts and expenditure to date from October 1, 1928, was submitted by the secretary: — Receipts: Cash in hand, £3 Os 8d; pilotage, £45 ss; river lighting, £2O ss; wharfage (in),' £515 2s 4d; wharfage (out), £64 16s 6d; ship’s dues, £lO 11s 8d; rents, £517 2s 8d; road contributions, £9l 14s 6d; miscellaneous, £4O 10s lid; debit balance at 31/5/29, £595 15s 2d, total, £1904 4s sd. Expenditure: Balance as at 1/10/28, £730 10s 3d; salaries, £425 19s 8d; 'kerosene and motor spirit £4 10s; maintenance and repairs, £6 3s; office expenses, £47 IBs 7d; handling and commission, £IOB 16s sd; miscellaneous £BS 15s 3d; insurances, £6l 11s sd; night watchman, £l3; interest and sinking fund £420; total, £1904 4s sd. The secretary asked the Board’s authority to increase the ban it overdraft from £IOOO to £ISOO, staling that the present authorised limit had already been exceeded. He explained that the unauthorised excess had been incurred through a payment of sinking fund and interest to the Public Trustee. He had paid the amount on due date to save final interest. Mr. A. J. Kellow objected to the request, maintaining that the board had n'ot the necessary assets required by law to permit it ini' i easing its overdraft. The board had struck a, rate and it was its duty to collect it. The overdraft was being increased to avoid collecting the rate. Messrs Blenkhorn and Barber informed the meeting that the local bodies which they represented had made provision for payment of the levy. Mr. Nash moved that the overdraft be increased. The rate world be collected in two or three months, he said. Both Mr. Nash and Mr. Linklater denied that the board was. trying tu avoid collecting the rate. The m'otion, on being put to the meeting, was carried with two dissentients. In speaking on the board’s financial position, Mr. Kellow stated I hat providing all outstanding rents and dues camje to hand the board would still be £llsO short even before the two boats started trading to the port. The speaker mainiained that the board should collect the rate and start afresh. He accordingly moved that all contributing local bodies be advised that the rate was payable by July 31. Mfr. Nash stated that as a result of striking the rate, board members were n'ot liable for the overdraft. He must oppose Mr. Kellow’s resolution in face of the resolution forwarded to local bodies stating that though a rate had been struck there was no immediate prospect of it. being collected. . Mr. -Perrean stated that he would support- the motion if it were amended to read September 30. Mr. Nash: “I object to the motion. It puts the board in a most ridiculous position.” On being put, the motion was lost on a show of hands. BEACH ROAD.

Advice was received from the Manawatu County. Council that it would consider surface sealing the Beach Boad in due sequence, when the other main roads were completed.

Mr. Nash: A very astute reply. Mir. Edwards considered that the work should Ihe done this year. If necessary, the Harbour Board should raise a loan to do the work, as it would mean a great improvement to the hoard’s property. It would mean also the advancement of the beach.

Mr. Nash pointed out that the road belonged to the Manawatu County-and the hoard could not raise money for surfacing it. He would suggest, that Mr. Edwards wait on the council and put the board’s view before them. Mr. Edwards declined to wait on the Council.

Mr. Li nkla.tcr said that, early next year, there would be a tarscaled road to Foxton, and the Bealc'h ißbad should also be sealed if it could possibly he done. However, the Manawatu County Council was doing its best, and was carrying out some very useful Wodk.

The discussion then lapsed. WHITEBAIT FISHING. The secretary reported that a deputation had waited upon Mr Linklater requesting that “whitebait drain” at the Manawatn Heads should be declared open for whitebait fishing. Mr Linklater had agreed to bring the matter before the Board. Mr Linklater said that the Board was affected only to the extent that it had six chains of the drain running through its property. Possibly, the area controlled by the Board could be cut up into sections and rights given for fishing in each. Mr Kellow considered that the Board was going outside of its ordinary business in troubling about whitebait fishing. It was decided that in the meantime Messrs Nash and Linklater should obtain more information on '.the matter from the Inspector of Fisheries. AGITATION FOR AIR. PORT. The secretary reported that the Director of Air Services (Major T. M. Wilkes) was favourably impressed with an area at the Heads as a site for an airport, and further advised that the Mayor of Foxton intended to urge tliat the (Board give .its consent to the proposal to establish'a landing ground. Mr .T. Linlklater, M.P.: So far no official communication has come to the Board. Mr Nash stated that he had read a goad deal in the Press of the proposal to make Foxton an airport. Tie hoped that, before any definite arrangements w r ere made the Board would first he consulted. The chairman said that- there was some very fine ground at the Foxton heads for a landing site, and there appeared to be no reason why there should not be an airport at Foxton. As there was nothing before the meeting on the subject, the discussion lapsed. GENERAL. The question of sand encroachment from the southern spit affectmg the bar was raised by Mr Edwards, who considered that the neeessary land should be acquired to plant trees, etc., to prevent such encroachment. Mr Blenkhorn held the same view’ end it was decided that particulars lie obtained of the amlount of land it. would be necessary to acquire for Hie purpose and to again discuss (he matter when the information lias been collected.