RE-OPENING THE PORT OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3961, 27 June 1929, Page 3

RE-OPENING THE PORT OF FOXTON.

CBLEBIRiA TING THE ARRIVAL OF THE HIMATANGI. Upwards of one hundred local and district Residents assembled in the Town Hall isupper-room yesterday afternoon to celebrate the re-opening of the port of Foxton after soime months of idleness owing to the removal from the Foxton service of the s.s. Kennedy. The (function was to celebrate the arrival of the Himatangi .Shipping Go’s, new steamer the s.s. Himatangi, which vessel arrived outside the Heads at imidday yesterday, but oHving to the stormy nature of the weather had to put back to Kapiti Island. ‘The .Mayor (Mir. M. E. Perreau) presided and there were present representatives of local bodies from Palmerston North, foxton and Levin.

A nulmlber of apologies for absence (including' one from Mr. J, Linklaiter, MjP.) were received.

The 'Celebration took the form of a social afternoon and after afternoon tea. had been partaken of the Mayor referred to the formation of the new shipping company and the purchase .of the T.S.S. Coolebar, now renamed the s.s. Himatangi. 1 Vitih the loss of the s.s. Kennedy, said Mr. Pelrreau, inquiries had been irnade throughout the world for a suitable boat for the Foxton trade. As a result of those ■inquiries the Coolebar had been located in Sydney and expert advice had been sought as to the suitability of this vessel for the local tirade. After a careful examination it had been ascertained that this vessel was particularly well suited for the purpose for' which it was to be acquired and a eanvass had been made of the district for money to purchase the vessel. Sufficient capital was raised to enable the newly formed company to acquire the 'Coolebar and the long looked forward to-day had at last arrived when the Coolebar, or Himatangi, had arrived outside Foxton with its first eajrgo for the local port. It was somewhat disappointing that the' vessel had not been able to berth owing to the inclement weather, but Mr. Perreau said he felt sure that when the vessel did arrive at the wharf and those interested were able to inspect the ship, they would be more than pleased. The Himatangi was a (better proposition than it had at first appeared. The Mayor produced a jflan of the vessel which was passed around for inspection (details of which were published in oiu* last- issue). Captain Holm referred to the excellent work done by M|r. Perreau in (making a canvass of the district for shareholders in the new vessel and styled him as a confirmed optimist. Personally, he had gone over to Australia to inspect the Coolebar and he was of opinion that the boat was particularly suitable for the successful working of the local port. The Himatangi had a ve|ry light draft and carried well. On Saturday night she loaded 281 tons of cargo at Lyttelton and left with full bunkers and drawing 8 feet of water for Foxton. Tho committee which had carried out the preparatory wolrik in connection with the purchase of the Himatangi, iCaptain Holm referred to as a band of heroes. They had worked hard and (their calmest endeavour was to place Foxton on the map with regard to shipping. He felt quite confident that they had done that. The Himatangi, Kotiti and another vessel would be making- regular visits to Foxton from now on and in a little while he could see ifch’e people of Foxton goingin for a big loan to improve their port, in order to outdo Wanganui and \\lellington (laughter). He felt sure that they would find the Foxton Chamber of Commerce behind that project also (laughter). He had been interested in shipping all his life and he was very glad to find someone interested in it who did not have to depend on it for a livelihood. Foxton residents were certainly very interested in shipping and he felt sure that success would attend their (efforts in connection with the purchase of the (Himatangi. The capital, he understood, had not been fully subscribed for the purchase of the boat but lie did not anticipate any difficulty in this direction. He would, not attempt to describe the technical details of the vessel but they were all there and the Himatangi had a particularly good ‘bottom which meant everything- in a vessel trading with coastal ports. Mr. Pierreau informed the meeting that the s.s .Kennedy drew Bft. bin. of water with a 200 ton cargo aboard whereas the Himatangi could carry the same amount of cargo and draw only 7ft. of water. The Himatangi, he said, will (be able to trade here and do well (applause). Mr. M. B. ißergin proposed the ‘■Health of the Shipping- Co,” aud in doing- so congratulated the company on its enterprise. 'They were u body of publicrspii'ited citizens of Foxton and district wbo bad displayed their confidence in the port and river by subscribing the necessary capital to purchase the vessel. They fully (realised the hazardous nature of their enterprise following so soon on the disastrous experience of the Manawatu Shipping Co., and had vested their capital poge for the benefit of the town and district than for any hope of dividends. They were therefore public benefactors and Mr. Bergin felt sure that it was the fond hope of everyone that time would justify the confidence they had placed in the project and bring them their just reward. Captain Holm had mentioned that the vessel had a Jaght draft and this should

surely instil so|me confidence in shareholders and the district public. A good future should lie before the company provided it was well controlled and generously assisted by the people of the district. In conclusion Mr. Bergin expressed tire wish .that .efforts of the shareholders would be attended by success and that in time they would be able to take legitimate pride in the fact that they could say that .they were initiatory shareholders in the company. Mr. Blenkhorn (Mayor of Levin) also expressed the hope on behalf of the residents of Levin, that the ventuire would prove successful. They all felt it would be. Foxton, he said, seemed to succeed and get what it wanted in other things, their fine school buildings and new courthouse testified to this fact, and he saw no reason why the new shipping venture should not succeed. 'The Mayor referred to the fact that the Foxton Chamber of Commerce were in no small measure responsible for the bringing of the new boat to Foxton. The (Chalmber had taken the initial steps to procure more shipping to the port and had kept up its agitation. Mr. J. K. Hornblow (president of the Chamber of Commerce) endorsed the remarks of Mg. [Bergin and said the Mayor had wonderful faith. He paid a tribute to him for his strenuous activities in connection with the new boat and congratulated him on the success which had attended his efforts. He had been actuated purely by patriotic (motives as had those who had pledged themselves to be shareholders in the new company. The boat had not been able to get in that day owing to bad weather and he was pleased to see that those in

charge of affairs were adopting safety first methods. It was far better to refuse to allow the ship to dross the bar under bad circumstances than to allow 7 the captain to take the risk and possibly have the boat, laid up in dock for live or six weeks. If the Himatangi was to be managed in this cautious manner then he entertained no fears for the success of the venture. He felt sure that the successful working of the port by the Himatangi would lie of great benefit to the commercial welfare of the town and district as a Avhole. Trade with Lyttelton through the port of Foxton meant the establishment of an important link with the South Island which would be beneficially reflected in the local poultry industry and in other ways.

Mir. W : . E. Bather (chairman of the Manawatu (County Council) said that he felt sure that the same spirit which had characterised the pioneer settlers of ‘the Manawatu was in evidence in the shareholders of the new boat and that the same care 'and industry would be employed in the government of the boat for its ultimate success. Foxton was practically the centre of the Manawatu (County and as such shipping through the local port must prove of great assistance to the settlers throughout the county. In his opinion the s.s. Kennedy, possibly owing to its unsuitableness for the Foxton trade, had done more hajiin than good to the local port, but- thie new boat was evidently eminently suited for the trade and be felt sure the people of Ihe district bad awakened to the

fact that shipping through Foxton was essential to the welfare of the district. Closer settlement must take place throughout the Manawatu as time goes on and closer settlement meant more cargoes. The tar-sealed roads w T olre certainly an encouragement to competition to shipping by motor lorries while railage transport was also a serious competitor, but he was certain that shipping could outdo, them all. Under Captain Holms’ guidance Mr. Barber felt that the new 'boat would prove successful and that shipping ito Foxton would be continued with greater continuity than ever before. In conclusion Tlr. Balrber paid a tribute to the efforts of Messrs Perreau, Fraser, Roore and Captain Holm to induce shipping to the port of Foxton. They had a lot to put up with, he said, and their project took a lot of sticking to, especially in face of the expdrience of the s.s. (Kennedy. Mr. Perreau said the (Palmerston North business men had entered freely into the venture and they were of opinion that Foxton would in years to come he to Palmerston North as Lyttelton is to Christchurch, ■ i •

Mr. Free (manager of the C. M. Ross Co., Palmerston N.) endorsed the Mayor’s remarks and “said Palmerston North was very interested in the (enterprise and would support the proposition in a very substantial way. Given reasonably good hick he felt snjre that success would undoubtedly attend the venture. Mr E. V. West (Palmerston N.) said that Palmerston could not develop on sound lines without the ■port of Foxton. The port was admittedly not a good one but the company had selected a boat suitable to (the port and .trade would undoubtedly follow as the cheapest route fur the bulk of Palmlerston North’s eolnimerce was through the port of Foxton.

Mi: Kerslalkie (Levin Chamber of Commerce) painted a picture of motor trains of commerce leading from Foxton to Levin in the near future over bitumen highways. They were drcnjins of the future, he said, but tliey untight eotme true. Levin had watched the progress of the enterprise to induce shipping to the port of Foxiton very -closely and wished it every sudcess. It was the sincere wish of the people of Levin ’that 'the port of Foxton should be once more an open port. He hoped that his dreams of commerce trains

from Foxton to Levin would follow closely in the wake of the successful reopening of the local port. Mr D. (Ohristie l(Viee President of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce) referred to the Chamber’s action in the imat.ter of shipping to ■the port, and said that when the Harbour Board failed in the matter the Mayor had placed a proposal before the Chamber and it had depended largely on the decision of that body as to whether any further action was taken. The Chamber approved of the proposal of acquiring a new boat and Mr Perreau had gone on with the matter. Mr R. Bryant, on behalf of the Foxton Harbour Board, said that that body was prepared to assist in any way possible, any project that had for its object the furthering of shipping to the local port. The Board wished the new venture every success.

A vote of thanks to the Mayor, proposed (by Mr J. K. Hornblow, brought to a close a pleasant social function.