FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4533, 20 November 1930, Page 3

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL

REPORT.

- The armal report of the chairman of the Fox to n Harbour Board (Mr. Jr Linklater, M.'P.) to lie submitted to Monday’s meeting; to be held in Palmerston North, reads as follows: —

“In submitting- my annual, report for the year ended 30th September, 1030, 1 desire to sav that shipping' lias materially improved upon last year’s operations despite the fact that competition has become more keen than previously. “Tu commending iiirirebnnts and business men in the area served by the'port for their co-operation and support I hope that the business lias been to their entire- advantage as well as to consumers who are dependent upon them for their commodity and various and that their efforts in the future will not suffer by lack of attention to the requirements of the natural port for. the district.

“Priestman Dredge: —The loss of the Priestman dredge lias been a serious disadvantage to the Board. ...To replace it by a. new one would easily run into, at least, £3,500.

“Wharf Repairs:—Repairs to ■the Railway Wharf have been deferred for some time past due in the niaiil to the proposed ,“ent” in the Manawatu river, which, at present, remains a. matter of conjecture. To sink a large sum of money in its repah-s, Avhen we hear so much about, the prosecution of. the proposed “cut,” is to me a question deserving of serious consideration in view of the proposal to shift the whairf to Rush Flat. “fPine and Marram: —Tree and

marram planting on the accretion land has been one of the foremost activities of the Board and from inspection made by me good work has. been accomplished. Thei'e is room for further work being done from time to time and in my opinion it should he undertaken every

year. “Leases: —During the year no less than eight fresh leases have been executed in addition to gran • ting year to year licenses. Inquiries for suitable sections are still ■ current and I fepl certain that there is ample scope at Te. Wharangi to satisfy them all. “Sanatorium Road: —The agitation to-have the -Sanatorium road constructed and opened up for all ■vehicular traffic has reached a stage where for the want of iinanee the work Avould be commenced. Arrangements for raising a loan to carry out the work are being withheld owing to the present iiiranoial depression. “Lights:—There are at- present installed, at To w/harangi Seaside Resort, 9 street lights of which seven are directly dependent upon the Board for the payment of their annual charge. At one time the hours of lighting were restricted by the addition of live shillings to the annual charge per light the service has been extended to an all night one. “Railway, Cojmmission:—During the recent Railways Commission it was my duty as well as that of Mr. Nash, M.P., to represent your protest against the unfair imposition of preferential rate on goods conveyed by rail within the Foxton Harbour Rating Area. We pointed out to the iCommissiou that the Wanganui-Palmersbon 'and the Wellington-Palmerston lines which had the decided advantage of preferential rates were seriously competing' against the Foxtou-'Pakrierston branch line as .well as the natural port for the district and recommended that all lines he placed on the same footing in fairness to all who contribute to the Consolidated Fund annually.

“Tax on Flour : —Tax on South Island flour by way of tlie port lias liad a detrimental. effect upon . s business and as your representations to tbe governing 'authority have ibeen turned down it bas been my unlpeasant duty to place your protest before tbe Minister for bis serious consideration. ‘Tort. Charges: —To reduce tbe port■. charges any lower than at present-is,' in niy opinion, to court disaster more especially when the awards Jixed by tin? Arbitration Court remain unaltered. Before any . revision can be made tbe a- : ward must be reduced from ,2/4 per hour on general merchandise to a reasonable level. “Cabbage Trees: —Your representations to tbe Marine Department for adequate control of tbe . miamation. of river foreshore by means of’ cabbage trees bave been adhered to and 1 sincerely hope that you will have no further cause for alarm in tbe future. ' “Life Saving Reel: —In commending' tbe Mayor and citizens of Tcxton and tbe Royal Life Saving Society for their co-operation in the formation of a Life Saving Club, J. desire to say that it will enhance the popularity and safety - of Te VVbarangi as a seaside resort for all limtv “The acquisition of native lands •. for further endowment is still un- ; dor consideration and more may be heard of it during the current year. > “During the year the Beach im...(movement- Committee anil its members have been actively engaged - in erecting conveniences and other improvements at Te Wharangi and f ! l - take this opportunity in placing > on record my appreciation of their - voluntary services in the interest of the “beach and its environments.

“lb conclusion 1 desire to thank you for your loyal support accorded me during the year and for the ¥ ogyj (keen interest you have svia-

ced in the work and welfare of the Board and I sincerely hope that the current year will mark a further step in the direction of prosperity and success.” BOARD’S FINANCIAL POSITION. The Board's balance-sheet for the iiimncinl year just closed has been inspected by the Government Auditor. A perusal of the figures is interesting and shows a. decided improvement in the Board’s finances this year .due. to increased shipping at the port. The income and expenditure account for the past twelve months, with flic figures for ; the previous year in parenthesis, are as follows: — Income:—Pilotage. £217 (£lO7 16/6), lighting £9B (£3B), inward wharfage £2155 15/11 (£790 19/10), outward wharfage £147 15/11 (£IOO 0/8), ship’s dues £23 (!/- (£35 II)/-), rent £591 5/4 (£O2O 8/0), storage charges £SB 3/0 (£55 10/-), miscellaneous revenue £35 15/8 (£47 0/7), a total of £3327 1/0 (£lBOl 0/1). Expenditure-Salaries £845 3/(£732 15/-), kerosene £42 1/11 (£33 0/2), maintenance and reipn.irs.C47 T2/4j (£45 9/s)*, odicc and general expenses £lOl 17/9 (£lB5 10/8), handling, etc. £832 8/8 (£358 7/1), insurance £l2l 0/7 (£123 3/3), travelling expenses £2l (£3l), miscellaneous general expenses £222 1/7 (£Ol 2/10), balance £IO3O 15/8 (£230 5/8), a total of £3327 1/G (£lBOl 6/1). The differential special rate brought. in £lOl2 during the past twelve months as against £I,OOO for the previous year and this, with the balance of £IO3O 15/8 made ' a total of £2042 15/8. Against this interest on loan amounted to £B4O (£840), sinking fund £IOO (£l'6>o), revenue contribution to capital £3 0/9 (£74 2/3), leaving a. balance of £1039 14/11 (£1503/5).

The rate statement for the year shows that out of (lie amount of £lOl2 due to the Board in this connection the Levin Borough 'Council (£3O) was the only body which paid up, those outstanding being the Foxton Borough Council £149, Palmerston North Borough Council £4Ol, Feilding Borough Council £44, Manawatu County Council £265 and Kairanga. County Council £ll7, a total of £976.