ADVANCE FOXTON!

Shannon News, 22 July 1924, Page 3

ADVANCE FOXTON!

IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PORT. The gi-OAVing impotance of Foxton as a port and the increase in its shipping trade have become so manifest that extra accommodation has been found necessary; , and the Harbour Board on Sat-in-day adopted plans for a new pier and goods sheds, estimated to cost from £3OOO to £3,500 The decision of the Board, which Avill probably have an, important bear- • ing upon the future of the port, follows 'upon a recognition of the fact, that, in addition tothe regular running of the steamer Kennedy-, another boat is being built at Home for the Foxton 'trade, and another Shipping Company has become interested in the port.

•Mr J. A. Nash, M.P. N briefly discussed the neAV scheme with a pressman last evening, and . staled tlfat, now that the Board had adopted Mr West’s plan for the pier and goods sheds, tenders for the work Avould be called almost immediately, and when tli e buildings Avere erected, the Harbour Board Avould assume sole control of the wharf, which has hitherto been' carried on by the Railway Department. It was estimated that the work would occupy from three to lour months.

“We have no complaint with the Railway (Department,” Mr Nash assured the’ interviewer, “but' the question as to whether we will get the work of the port done cheaper than it is costing at the present time. We recognise that it is the charges which make the Port of Foxton the cheapest; and the Board is hoping that, after 12 months trial, still further reductions will be made.

“It is recognised also that the present goods sheds are not large enough. It is thought that the Board should control its own work, and satisfactory arrangements, by means of the new buildings, have been made with the Department towards this end. “The Board feels that the Department has acted very fairly in the matter, and has placed every facility for carrying out the work, at the hands of the Board.'’ The Harbour Board had contemplated leasing the building at present on the wharf, but it has now been decided to take no immediate action in view of a possibility that it will be required under the new improvement scheme. .

Other business at the meeting included an instruction to the secretary to arrange for electrifying the pilot’s residence. The matter of purchasing a dumping plant was deferred to next meeting. The secretary was asked to obtain information from the Patea Harbour Board on the matter, it being pointed out that the Board would probably find it a successful proposition to undertake this class of business on account of the excessive call upon space on, the ships. Those present were: Messrs J. A. Linklater, M.P (chairman), J. A. Nash, M.P., E. R. B. Holben, W. E. Barber, W. Signall, J. Chrystall and J. W Rimmer.