FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9160, Issue 9160, 9 March 1910, Page 6

FOXTON HARBOUR BOARD.

I In presenting the annual report, tho Chairman said it. was his privilege to present the first annual report of the Hoard, which had now been in existence I for twelve months. It was now a. matter of history the difficulties encountered in the formation of the Board, and the un- | satisfactory nature of its finances, and ! while they were still -working under very j great disadvantages the members of the j Board had good reason to be satisfied j with the work that had been performed during the twelve months. One of the first duties devolving on the Board was tho effort to secure what is now recognised by all its rights, viz., the wharfages, and after repeated representations to the Government, through its member, Mr E. Newman, M.P.. it was recognised that some other course would require to be taken to bring this matter- more into prominence. The Minister of Railways waa, therefore, invited to visit Fox ton, inspect the wharves, and the whole matter was laid before him. A strong representative meeting was held, and everything pertaining to the best interests of the port were forcibly put before him by Mr Newman, the chairman of the Board, and others. Unfortunately, nothing satisfactory in tho nature of a promise was made by the Minister with regard to the wharfages, but he agreed to consider a proposal for the purchase of the wharves if such was made, which has been done. Another matter of very great importance, was tho setting in order of the leases at the beach. Fortyfour sections have been sold by auction at satisfactory rentals for a period of 33 years, and the balance (31) are to be sold on the 10th March. There is no doubt that this portion of the reserve is going to become a very popular seaside resort, and hopes are entertained that a better approach to it will be made by tho various local bodies interested. An Order-in-Council has just been Gazetted making the Board a leasing authority, and this will simplify the leasing of further sections when required. During tho year the Railway Department has mad 9 over to the Board tho rentals collected from a number of flaxmills, representing about £25 per year, but against this have taken for railway purposes tho land at present leased to Messrs Levin and Co. and McMurray, and all efforts to have- this land again vested in the Board have failed. A wharf is now in course of construction for the West ! Coast Trading Co. (McMurray and Co.), and the Hoard anticipate a certain revenue, in addition to that received in rental of wharf site. During the year a permanent pilot has been engaged, Mr F. Lawt.on. and there was every every reason to believe that this department will be carried out in a very satisfactory manner to shipping. The' river is at the present time in a very fair state, and no difficulty is experienced in negotiating the bar and river, but the Board is helpless to effect anything in the nature of permanent improvements in this respect until such time as they are in possession of all the revenue. The Board has been put to considerable expense with legal and other matters, and it was satisfactory to note that it closed the year to 31st December with a credit balance of £123 10s Bd, but it had to be borne in mind that all the revenue derived from leasing sections at the Heads has been paid in advance, and will not be received a train for twelve months. The Board will require to observe tho strictest economy for the coming- year, in order that the shipping may not be inconvenienced, as very little margin is allowed for emergency work. During the period Ist April. 1909. to 23th February. 19]0. the inward cargo amounted to: — ■Merchandise. 13.163 tons; coal. 15,027 tone; timber. 18.700 feet. Outward: Wool, hemp, etc.. 7323 tons; cattle. 333; eheep, 2555. Wharfages, including ships' dues, amounted to £2232. The arrivals aggregated 229 vessels, representing 27.039 tons register. Pilotage totalled £334 6s 9d. The largest vessel crossing the bar during the year was the Waimca, of 206 tons. It is a matter of regret to : us oil that we have not accomplished more, but the Board can reasonably be satisfied with what has been performed. It has been a year full of routine, but necessary work, and while- we cannot noint to many' great improvements we hnve laid the foundation for a successful year ahead of us. which we have every reason to believe will be fulfilled. That the Government will give ue tho opportunity _to purchase the wharves at a failvaluation very soon there can be no doubt, as the initial steps of making n report thereon has already been promised by the Government, and "this matter will engage the attention of the Board during the corning year. In conclusion, thanks were tended to members for their attendance during the venr and the assistance- given to the chairman.