FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3980, 6 August 1929, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting!, of the Foxton Harbour Board was held in the Secretary’s, office yesterday, presided over by the chairman (Mr. J. Linklater,M.P.) Also .present were: Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., C. Blenkharn (Levin), R. Bryant, M. E. Perrepu, W. E. Barb* and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. Kellow and B, Edwards. REAiMNG OF MINUTES. Mr. Blenkhorn (Levin) suggested that the secretary should forward a copy of minutes to each membei of the Board prior to the meetings, so that when the meeting was held the minutes could be taken as read. That day the minutes had taken twelve minutes to read and even then members did not have as clear a perception of them as they would have had had they been able to read them at home before the meeting. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the secretary. THE WHITEBAIT CREEK. The chairman reported that he had discussed the matter of the proposed opening of the whitebait drain at Manawatu Heads and the licensing of .fishermen with the Inspector of Fisheries and had also talked over the matter with the Minister for Marine (Hon. Cobbe), who now had the matter in hand. The chairman said he had asked the Minister to give the matter urgency as the whitebait season was rapidly approaching. THE PREFERENTIAL RAILWAY RATE. The chairman reported that since last meeting Mr. Nash and himself waited on the General Manager of Railways in reference to the preferential railway rate but they were not too hopeful as to the result of the interview. 'The Manager instructed his officers to look into the matter and report to him on the question. Mr. Nash said that it did not appear that the Board would get anywhere with its request. The Manager looked at The matter from the railways point of view and not from individual ,portions of the country. They had competition to meet in parts and the rates had to he adjusted accordingly. When the roads were tar-sealed between Foxton and Palmerston Noth it was very likely, said,Mi-. Nash, that the Railway Department would have to reduce their charges on the local line to meet motor transport competition. > Mr. PeiTeau considered the Board should put. the matter in writing and again urge the Department for ia reduction. The Department’s letter on the matter some time ago (referred to Wellington freights only. It was the South Island trade that they were concerned with more particularly. The chairman said # they had made it quite clear that a reduction was desired on 'South Island goods tiiif)ugh the port. The Manager, however, said that if this trade did not go to Foxton direct it would be landed at Wellington and go north by rail. He was out for business for the Railways.

Mr. Nash: The harbour is of no concern to the Manager of the Railways. The Feilding and Levin Chambers of Commerce wrote supporting the Board in its application for a reduction in freights and the Palmerston (Chamber advised that it had set- up a sub-committee to confer with the Board on the matter. Tt was decided to meet the subcommittee at the next meeting of the Board, to be held in Palmerston North on the Ist Monday in September. It was decided to await the Manager’s reply before taking any further action. OBSTRUCTION M THE RIVER, The Marine Department wrote notifying that an inspector had visited Mr. iSpeirs’ property at Koputaroa where it had-been reported cabbage trees placed in the river for protective works had broken loose and (became a. menace to river shipping. 'The Inspector considered that the method of protection adopted (by Mir. Speirs was quite successful and safe, and that it would lie a pity to bar (him from using the trees for groynes, provided they were securely staked. It. was decided to take no further action in the matter. PROPOSED AFFORESTATION WORK. The jßoard’s solicitors (Messrs R. Moore and Bergin) reported on the proposal to acquire an area of land on the south side of the Manawatu River for afforestation purposes.

Mr. J. A. Nash said that before anything could be done the Board would have to obtain the necessary authority to spend the money. The Native Land (Court would have to be approached and the right obtained to.carry on the work. Mr. Blenkhofrn suggested that the Government should be approached to acquire the land and invest it in the Board. The Government would be able to do this work easily whereas the Board might experience some difficulty in the matter. It was decided to talke steps to acquire a suitable area of the land for afforestation purposes. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: — From the Marine Department, asking for a list of the mempers of the Board and district representatives. —To be forwarded by the secretary. From' Aul sell rook and Co., regretting that they were unable to entertain the suggestion of placing

the port of (Foxton on the same status as Wellington and Wanganui; this being a matter controlled by the Biscuit, and IConfectionery Manufacturers’ Association and they, as members only, were unable to grant this concession. —.Decided to refer the matter to the Association. From Mr. H. Osborne, asking the Board to malic a rebate on berthage dues awing for the o.v. Portland which has been lying at the Foxton wharf for some months. — The Board regretted that it was unable to make any reduction. THE SANATORIUM ROAD.

Mr. WJ. E. Barber said that the Board would have soon to consider the question of putting down the Sanatorium Road at the seaside. This road, lie said, would ultimately have to be the main access to the Beach. ' Mr. J. A. Nash: I quite agree. Continuing, Mr. Barber said finance was the only drawback, hut lie thought if the Board could afford £lO it could be well spent on sanding the road and making it reasonably safe for traffic. The chairman agreed with the suggestion but considered the finances at present did not warrant the expenditure. Mr. Bryant said £5 had already been spent on the road. It- was decided that the local committee inspect the roadway and report to next greeting on the matter. LEASES. Leases were granted as follows : Board to N. E. Francis, (Foxton)., 103 acres, Rush Flat, Mariawatu Heads; same to Mrs. M. A. Malcolm (Eketahuna), lot 463, Malta watu Heads; same to L. D. Simmonds, (Palmerston North), part lot 18, Man a watu Heads. GENERAL. It was decided that the local committee inspect Mrs. C. E. Anderson’s section at the Sanatorium with a view to providing her with a right-of-way to her section. It was decided to request the Pilot (Captain Larsen) to submit the cost of running the pilot launch to the next meeting of the Board. Accounts amounting to £lO4l 18/7 were passed for payment.