THE PORT OF FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3550, 14 October 1926, Page 2

THE PORT OF FOXTON.

RAILWAY FACILITIES DISCUSSED.

MR. MARSHALL CONFERS WITH HARBOUR BOARD MEMBERS.

Mr Marshall, business agent of the New Zealand Railways, visited Foxton yesterday to confer with local members of the Foxton narbour Board and to discuss railway facilities in connection with the handling of inwards cargo received at the port of Foxton for conveyance by rail. The conference was held in the Harbour Board office, and was presided over by Mr Wj E. Barber. Also present were Messrs R. McMurray and the secretary (Mr Roore Rangiheuea), and Mr IT. Hornblow (Stationmaster). An apology for absence was received from Mr J. Chrystall. The secretary produced a letter received by the Chairman of the Board, from the Minister of Railways, dated September 10th, 1926. The subject matter of the letter was discussed, and it was clearly pointed out to the satisfaction of those present that the Department never made a charge of Is lOd per ton for tallying cargo, as reported in the “Manawatu Herald” of August 10th. It was admitted by those present that the statement as reported was obviously made under a misapprehension. A small charge is made on certain classes of goods, but other classes again are tallied free of charge. After hearing the explanation tendered by Mr Marshall in respect to the providing of a tally clerk for checking consignments, it was arranged that the secretary and the stationmaster confer prior to the arrival of a steamer, regarding the matter of tallying.

The secretary stated that at the present time the arrangement between himself and the stationmaster was working satisfactorily, and with the arrangements made at the meeting that night for the provision of a tally clerk to deal with emergency consignments, considered that no difficulty would be experienced in the future. Mr Marshall stated that the Minister of Railways and members of the Railway Board particularly desired that the Department’s staff should meet the Harbour Board in every reasonable way. The Chairman, in. thanking Mr Marshall for meeting members of the Board and for his explanation of the arrangements, said that he thought all matters in connection with the tallying of cargo would prove entirely satisfactory to all parties concerned. The explanation tendered by Mr Marshall cleared up all past misapprehensions in connection with the system and with the working arrangement arrived at he considered no difficulty would be experienced, in the future. It appeared to him that the Railway Department was endeavouring to meet the Board in every possible way. The stationmaster (Mr H. Hornblow) said he did not anticipate any difficulty in meeting the position. It is probable that another meeting of the Board will be held on Saturday evening.

Air Marshall met Mr J. Linklater, M.P., Chairman of the Foxton Harbour Board in connection with the above matter this morning and placed the Department’s proposal before him.