PORT OF FOXTON.

Shannon News, 12 June 1923, Page 4

PORT OF FOXTON.

In his report to Foxton Harbour Board yesterday, the secretary included the following particulars, in reference to the Board, which he proposed to supply to the census and statistics office for inclusion in the municipal handbook: —“Foxton, situated a few. miles up the Manawatu River, is the natural p ort of the whole of the Manawatu district from Levin to Feilding and beyond. At present, however, the business of the port is practically confined to coastal trade with Wellington and Lyttelton. The affairs of the port are administered by a Board of seven elective and one non-elective members, but for the time being the wharf is controlled by the Railway Department, which collects wharfage dues and berthage charges on behalf of the Board.

“Wharves and Berthage Accommodation:—There is a wharf 600 ft. in length, with a good depth of water alongside, sufficient for vessels from 150 to 450 tons gross. “Improvements:—Negotiations with the Railway Department for the purchase of the wharf have been completed on the lines laid down by the Commission, viz., the constitution of a rating area or district ,to piovide rates of at least £4OOO per annum, and the payment to the Railway Department of £SOOO for the wharf and the area upon which leasehold buildings are erected. A Bill to give effect thereto was paised during the 1918 session, and authorising a loan of £16,000. A vote was taken throughout the district and carried almost unanimously. The district comprises Manawatu and Kairanga counties and the boroughs of Feilding, Palmerston North, Foxton and Levin. Upon acquisition of the wharf by the Board improvements will be effected which will enable boats of deeper draught to enter the river at al'l tides.

“ Endowments:—The Board's endowments comprise: (1) Frontages to the beach at the Heads, and about 260 acres beyond on the sea front (the beach is a very popular seaside resort, with many fine residences and is well patronised by .people from ah parts of the district at Christmas, Easter and holiday seasons): (2) the signal station reserve of 418 acres; (3) flaxmill sites at Foxton. An annual rental of £631 11/4 is obtained from these. “ Trade and Shipping:—Considerable quantities of hemp, wool, tallow, eggs, eto., are sent to Wellington in coastal steamers for export abroad. “ Receipts and payments:— The total receipts for the year 1922 were: £3489 6/5, and the total payments, £3097 4/7. No rates were struck

“Loan: —The only loan outstanding is the one raised during 1918 to the amount of £II,OOO for the purchase of wharf, building goods-shed, and dredging. This loan was raised from the Public Trust at 5J per cent, plus 1 per cent, sinking fund. The term is 36 years.”

The names of board members and officials are also supplied. On the motion of Mr. Chrystall, it was decided that an addition be made to the report, that the Board had a dredge working on the river. Mr. T. J. Clapham remarked that it must be kept in mind also that it was proposed to carry the railway down to the beach.