HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 99, 21 January 1926, Page 4

HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS

FOXTON’S IMMEDIATE NEEDS.

Palmerston North, January 20.

The dredging work in progress at Foxton, from the wharf to the Manawatu Hoads, has now increased considerably with the necessity there is for more.extensive and more consistent operation. Naturally, the money for this has to come from somewhere, and while, in the past, it has been provided for out of the revenue of the Foxton Harbour Beard, assisted by the Government, the subsidies from the latter have now ceased. In 1924 the Government granted a subsidy of .£750 toward the work ot dredging, but this did not prove sufficient for requirements. Last year no assistance was forthcoming from the Government, lack of funds being given as the reason, and with the necessity to increase the work of the dredge, as stated, some step has to be taken to meet the position. Constant use of the dredge demands .more funds with which to carry on, and at the next meeting of the Harbour Board, Mr. R. McMurray will”move: "That the board consider the advisability of striking, a rate, sufficient to yield funds for river improvement purposes. over the rateable area within the rating jurisdiction of the board." It was explained to a Dominion reporter yesterday by Mr. IS. R. B. Holben, a member of the Harbour Board, that there are within the board's district certain rateable properties that derived a direct benefit from the work of the board.

It might he remarked that the Harbour Board has never before struck a rate over its area.