FOR FUTURE PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1915, Page 11

FOR FUTURE PROGRESS

A DISTRICT AGITATION THE FOXTON PORT QUESTION In all movements for the future advance of the Manawatu district, and more particularly, perhaps, for the welfare of Palmerston North, the improvement of the port facilities figures prominently. It is a perennial subject at most of the gatherings and deputations which have for their object the promotion of the interests of the community ; and though the business concerns of Palmerston would probably reap the greatest direct gain, there seems to be a remarkable unanimity over tho whole district as to the general advantages to bo derived from a regular and thriving river service with Wellington and the coal ports of the South Island. At present, as is so well known, the servic? is intermittent and uncertain Vecause of the dangers of the river bar. LOOKING BACKWARD. A Foxton Harbour Board was constituted in the year 1878, and was invested with certain endowments, and. with power to collect charges. For some jeasott-Qf other,,,, the people - of. Jfostoo

receives at present is very trivial. Pilotago fees amount to about £250 a year, the lighting of the river yields another £60, endowments £70, and rents fro:n sections at the heads from £180 to £200. This small total merely enables tho board to discharge unimportant duties which it has taken upon itself. Indignation meetings, attended by representatives from most portions of the Manawatu district, and conferences have been held ; the Ministers for Railways and Marine of the last three Go vernments have been waited upon by deputations, and proposals have bee.) formulated and submitted. It was stated by the most recent deputation to tin Hon. W. H. Herries, in July of last year, that the revenue yielded by 'the port for the twelve months was about £1400, and that the whole of this sum went into the Railway Department's coffers, and not a penny was spent in njiunbunigg qj uaprgyuu£ ikg huvbouj.