FOXTON WHARF.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4437, 8 April 1930, Page 2

FOXTON WHARF.

PROPOSED REMOVAL.

PRESENT STRUCTURE UNSAFE

A suggestion to remove the present Foxton wharf to Rush Flat was made at yesterday’s meeting of the, Foxton Harbour Board. The district engineer of the Railway 'Department, Wanganui, advised as follows: — “For a number ot‘ years the running of all engines on the Foxton wharf has been prohibited, and the condition of this structure has norv icached the stage when it may become necessary to debar any loaded vehicles being allowed to run Ihereon. Will you please advise whether it would he practicable to deal with the business at this station were such a restriction on train movements imposed? The cost of the necessary repairs to bring the wlmrf u]) to a reasonable condition df safety would be approximately iTbl), and it is extremely doubtful whether the Foxton Harbour Board could pay such a sum.” It wms pointed out that this communication had been addressed to the statioiimastor' at Foxton. Mr M. Perreau strongly supportid removing the present wharf to Rush Flat.

Mr .1. A. Nash: I am very pleased to hear '.that, as the opposition to this proposal previously came from the Foxton borough. Air Nash added that at the last meeting authority had been given to the secretary to purchase a kit of tools, and the structure was to be repaired from time to time as men wen* available. It could thus be kept in reasonable order. Ah'. Hash, however, said he was favourably inclined to the proposal to remove the wharf to Rush Flat. This would necessitate a. connecting link with the present railway, hut he was of the opinion that the excursion traffic that would he carried in the summer would handsomely pay interest charges on the new sc,. lion of line. He was prepared 1,, follow Air Perreau in what he had said. The Foxton wharf had been erected in such a way that it could 1)0 removed and re-erected at Push Flat, He could not see that its removal would hurt F'oxfoil, as the more shipping that was dealt with the better it would be for the town.

Mr Bryant pointed out that Rush Flat was subject to Hooding. A raised road would be necessary. If Uh* money could be procured from the Government to repair the wharf if should he repaired as soon as possible. MV Nash: I do not think that you will get a penny out of the Government. OPPOSITIots' EXPRLOSSED. Mr R, Edwards said lie was op,scd to the project to remove the wharf. There was, he considered, nothing wrong with the river, if it whs used at high tides there was no reason why boats should not conn; up Lo Foxton. All that was required was the repair of the wharf. The present discussion was, however, a useless one, as the Board was awaiting a report from the two Government engineers. The Guard had nothing before if at

prOStUIL. MV Blenkhorn said it appeared l lull there was something wrong wall tin* river. It a wharf eoulii be elected at Rush Plat it appeared to imii to be a wise proposition. Mr ■). Liu'klater, the chairman,

lid that some years ago lie had I vacated Kush Elat as Lhe siLe of

,ae wharf. Since then he had given fuller consideration to the matter. At this stage it would be premature to do anything at Kush t’lat until the operations of the .Mnnawatu-Oroua ltiver .Board in the vicinity were tinalised. The Minister would lie in Palmerston North before blaster, and it was hoped to secure definite information on the position from him. One point was that the distance from the Heads would be shortened by -If miles if the Kush Flat site were approved. Mr Perreau outlined the position i egai'ding the carriage of hemp, slating that the Kaihvay Department appeared to be working agninst the port, and was “grabbing” all the traffic. Afr hldwards said the railway was < arrying Lite hemp 50 miles further io make the railways pay, and Mas taking it away from the boats. Mr Perreau: Unfortunately, Lhe boats are not too reliable. .Mr; Edwards: (live them the cargoes and there will be plenty of bouts. ft was decided to request Lhe Government to make available immediately details of the report on ihe wharf. -Mr Hello w pointed out that the inspection had been made three months ago.