FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3992, 3 September 1929, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING,

DIFFERENTIAL SPECIAL RATE,

PALMERSTON NORTH PROTEST,

Palmerston North, Yesterday

The monthly meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board was held to-day, Mr J. Linklater, M.P., presiding. Others present were Messrs J. A. Nash,' M.P., M. E. Perreau, R. Edwards, C, Blenkhorn, R. Bryant and A. J. Fellow. An apology for absence was received from Mr W. E. Barber. The Palmerston North Borough Council wrote protesting against the collection of the differential special rate and advising that they were unable to remit the amount at the present time, but if circumstances permitted in all probability the amount would be forwarded before the close of the present financial year. Comment was made that the Palmerston North Borough should not be placed in any different position from other local bodies, and the board decided to request payment by September 30, the end of its financial year. The Kairanga County Council forwarded a cheque for £ll7, the amount of the differential special rate. PILOTAGE CHARGES.

In connection with pilotage charges, the Marlborough County Council advised that the principal clause in the Harbour Board’s by-laws dealt with compulsory pilotage of 4d per ton inwards and outwards on all vessels, and a harbour improvement rate on cargo of 6d per ton. The Patea Harbour Board, wrote stating that a compulsory pilotage rate of Id per ton was charged on registered tonnage of all vessels trading to the port. The Wanganui Harbour Board advised that they did not charge pilotage as a rate, but as a service rendered, and also they did not issue pilotage exemption certificates. The chairman commented that apparently the Foxton Board’s charges were very reasonable, and notice of motion was given that a rate of 6d per ton be charged by the board, with a maximum of £4. BERTHAGE OF VESSELS. “1 had occasion on Saturday, August 17th, to confer with the agents of the Himatangi and the Foxton, respecting the matter of preference in berthing and working at the wharf,”. reported the secretary in bringing up that question. “After, interviewing them individually we decided to meet in conference. and in less than five minutes the two agents agreed to give the first boat to arrive at the bar instead of at the wharf preference to berthage and working at the wharf or shed. Briefly the agreement means that when two or more vessels arrive at the bar awaiting the pilot’s signal to enter the first to reach the bar will have prior right to berthage and working, although she may be an hour late in arriving at the wharf.” The board passed a resolution that during its pleasure, the secretary be authorised to give prior right to berthage and working at the Foxton wharves to the first boat to arrive at the bar in lieu of the first at the wharf, and that the pilot’s decision in case of a dispute-as to the first vessel to reach the bar be final. DREDGING AND. WHARVES. Reporting on the clredge. the secretary advised the board that a local icsident hud stated' that he was prepared to undertake the work of removing it to Foxton for the sum of iCO and to indemnify the board aaginst ali eventualities and punt the whole of the Shannon Bridge timber to Foxton for £7 and also the dredge cradle timber at Mana vatu Heads for £o 10s. Messrs L. G. West and Son sub"mitted estimates in connection with the proposed wharf extension. The larger scheme was estimated at £1,150 and the smaller scheme at i. 310.

It was considered that the larger scheme could not he entertained, and that in view of the proposed removal of the wharves to the heads, consideration should be given only to the small scheme. The matter was referred to a special committee for a report

WHITEBAIT RIGHTS. Tire secretary reported that the question of fishing for white bait in the Whakapuni Drain was discussed at some length with Mr Godfrey last Monday morning, and as he had no authority to commit the board to waive its rights over its endowment he suggested that lie should discuss the matter with the chairman. Like the board, the Marine Department was ever on the look-out for every source of revenue and its secretary was very anxious to pi event dual control over that particular fishing ground. As far as he was able to ascertain, the toard’s interests lay in the matter oi access to the drain and m that the de-, partment was eager to acquire tin. right by some form of an agreement with the board. As the board’s chances of acquiring absolute control were remote, it was necessary that it should consider the matter at a later date. FIXATION OF SAND. Regarding the • fixation of sand to protect the Manawatu River, the secretary reported as follows: —“On Thursday, August 15th, Messrs Field and Watt, of the State Forest Service, called on me at the Manawatu Heads and discussed at considerable length the matter of sand fixation in regard to protecting the Manawatu River. Mr Field pointed out that the board had commenced its operations from the wrong quarter instead of starting from the ocean beach end. In his opinion the control of the drifting sand on the foreshore for the distance of at least half a mile on the north side of the river must be regarded as an essential part of the present scheme of river improvement. He suggested that a break-wind constructed of manuka ought to be erected a tew chains back from the ocean beach foreshore to combat the prevailing wind and the drifting sand, and as soon as the scrub fence is covered over another should be raised on the same hillock until this has reached to a,height of about 15 to 20 feet, when marram grass could be planted to fix the drifting of sand and protect shelter trees when planted. In this way much sand could be prevented from entering the river and lodging on the bar. An inspection of the trees already planted was made and the two officers were quite satisfied with the progress shown by those located in the shelter of lupins and marram grass. On the whole the macrocarpa appeal's to be the hardiest species of all and its future seems more hopeful and brighter than that of any other kind of tree. On Tuesday, August 27th, I took the men with me and in three hours we planted 1000 pinaster trees. I expect to receive the next consignment from Tangimoana hi j the course of a few days, and as soon as it arrives I will again attend to the planting. We had occasion to transplant 60 pinus insignis which were placed in low-lying areas in order to give them a chance to fight for their existence. The pinaster trees supplied by the State Forest Service are on the whole very fine and healthy, and every precaution is taken during our operations to plant only where natural cover is provided. It will take the best part of a fortnight to complete the planting as I can only spare the time when IL’fio financial statement for the 11 mouths period ending August 31st showed that the receipts included £76 10s for pilotage, £3O 15s for river lighting, £690 8s 6d for wharfage inwards, £B3 13s Id for wharfage outwards and £l3 16s 8d for ships’ dues, while rents amounted to £659 16s 8d and road contributions to £lO4 4s 6d. there is a lack of shipping to the port.”

The Thames Harbour Board inquired as to the practice at the Foxton port in regard to charging wharfage dues in respect of fish landed on the board’s wharves by fishing vessels.— Tt was reported that the matter was covered by the general rate, and that a reply had been sent to the effect that no bylnw bad been framed. The town clerk, Foxton Borough Council, advised that he had refrained from asking the Power Board to erect an additional street lamp at the wharf. —Eeceived.