FOXTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 228, 26 August 1929, Page 9

FOXTON

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Aug. 23.

Prior to the constitution iof the Manawatu Rabbit Board a few years ago, the rabbit family held sway over thousands of acres of grazing land in this district. Trapping and spasmodic measures were taken by a few farmers to eradicate tho pest, but with little effect in stemming their increase. This district was a favourite hunting ground lor week-end shootists, to say nothing of the sport afforded others who indulged in spot light shooting from motor cars along the highways at night time. These practices are now a thing of tho past. As an indication of the thoroughness of the board’s activities in eradicating tho pest a recent request from Victoria College for 80 live rabbits for experimental purposes could not be fulfilled. Much credit is duo to the board’s inspector, Mr D. R. Barron. It will bo a few years, however, before the country is declared clear and for this reason there should be no relaxation on the part of settlers to continuo exterminating methods where any signs of the pest is indicated. One of the most difficult areas yot to bo dealt with is the Rangitikei River bed and it may be necessary for tho board to givo this area special attention in order to permanently remove the menace. Although the flood water has flooded the Moutoa swamp, farm lands have not been affected and the river is falling. The new bank at Moutoa erected by the settlers undoubtedly saved tho situation as far as the Moutoa is concerned on this occasion, for had the water spilled through at this locality the district would have been covered with water for days, and possibly the Whirokino Road, which is now quite dry, would have been blocked for some time. The water which got into the Moutoa swamp is reported to have got in below Mr Spring’s property. As a result of the flooding of the swamp mills will bo affected as the cutters will not be able to get into the swamp again for some time.

NEW STEAMER. A large number of people visited the new ship Foxton at tho local wharf yesterday and to-day. Your representative was conducted over the vessel by Mr D. S. Kerr, supervising engineer to the Canterbury Steamship Co., who, with Captain Monro, who'-was also in Foxton yesterday, have been in Auckland for several weeks supervising the deck and engine room departments respectively. Both speak very highly of the workmanship displayed in both the building and engineering work. The engines are of the reversible type and turn over at 400 revolutions per minute. Fitted in tho engine room is a compressor for many purposes. A 750 watt 32 volt electric light plant of 16 cells has been fitted. The winches are of 10-12 h.p. The accommodation on the vessel is roomy and comfortable. Tho forecastle is subdivided with a four berth cabin on tho starboard side and a mess room on the port side. Electric lights are fitted throughout. A teak wood wheel house with sliding windows is fitted on the bridge which tends to make the man at the wheel more comfortable. In conversation with Mr Kerr, who accompanied' the Foxton on its first voyage, your representative was informed that the vessel left Auckland on Friday, August 16, at 6 p.m. for Wellington arriving there shortly after 6 p.m. on Monday. A fair wind and following sea were expgrienced most of tho way. Rounding Cape Palliser a fresh head breeze sprang up which delayed the ship about an hour. Tho machinery ran well all tho way and tho passage proved a non-stop run. Tho weather in Wellington on Tuesday and Wednesday proved too bad for the Foxton to put to sea, but at 6 p.m. on Thursday she left Wellington for Foxton on her initial trip. A fresh southerly wind was blowing at Pencarrow, but the little ship battled her way through it and proved that she is very capable. She arrived off the Manawatu bar •hortly after 3 a.m. yesterday, crossed the >ar about 10.15 a.m. and arrived at the .vharf about 11 a.m. The captain and nembers of the crew speak very highly of .he vessel as a really good sea boat. The officers of the vessels are as follow: —Cap- . ain, Mr C. Williams; chief officer, Mr M. lensen; chief engineer, Mr Carr; second ■ngineer, Mr Anderson. One of tho crew, Mr A. Neville, is a local resident.

The Foxton leaves Lyttelton for Foxton with a full load on Tuesday. The Canterbury Steam Shipping Company is to be congratulated upon their enterprise in building such a suitable and splendidly equipped steamer within in our own Dominion for the coastal trade between Foxton and other ports. The advent of this vessel is the fulfilment of a long delayed promise by the company, and such delay resulted in the formation of a competitive company which in the meantime purchased a vessel to keep the port open. This delay, however, does not detract from the company’s faith in the future of the piort which serves an extensive district. There is no doubt that sufficient trade is offering, pro- : vided that shippers can be assured of a i regular service. In the past there was no ' 6uch guarantee of continuity of shipping and business firms preferred to pay extra freight per rail rather than suffer inconvenience and delay. With the advent of two steamers plying regularly to the port, the prospect of a revival of shipping is assured, and as a result the strained finances of the Harbour Board will be greatly relieved as will the ratepayers throughout the board’s district in connection with the levying of a rate to meet the board’s financial obligations. The Harbour Board can be relied upon to facilitate shipping and as revenue increases further improvements will be effected to this end. FOXTON, Aug. 24. The usual monthly meeting of the Combined Band of Hope was held in the Presbyterian Sunday schoolroom last evening when there was a good attendance. The following contributed items: —Piano solo, Joan Barron; recitations, David Dorset, Betty Young, Annie Dorset and Ada Dorset; duets, Nancy and Keith Chrystall; song, Ula Thomson. A very interesting address was given during the evening on “Growth” by Rev. W. IT. Nicholas. A requisition in writing was forwarded to the Minister of Labour from the occupiers of shops in each of the trades of (1) draper, (2) mercer, (3) bootseller, (4) grocer, (5) saddler, (6) tailor and (7) stationer, within the borough of Foxton, and the Minister being satisfied that the signatures to such requisition represent a majority of the occupiers of all the shops in each of the said trades, within the borough, directs that on and after Ist July, 1929, all shops in each of the said traces within the borough shall be closed in the evenings of working,, days as follows:—On Monday, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays at 5.30 p.m., and om Saturdays at 8.30- p.m. with the following exception;—Should the occupier of any shop affected by this notice observe, pursuant to section 14 (2) of the Shops and Offices Act, 1921-22, Saturday as the statutory closing day, thend and in such case, the closing hour on Wednesday shall be 5.30 p.m. and the closing hour on Friday shall be 8.30 p.m. Miss D. Morgan, has returned to Palmerston North after spending a holiday with relatives in Foxton. Mr F. T. Millward (Wanganui) and Captain Monro (Christchurch) were visitors to Foxton during the week in connection with shipping matters.