FOXTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 233, 31 August 1929, Page 10

FOXTON

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (From Our Own Correspondent). FOXTON, Tho monthly meoting of tho Foxton Chambor of Commerce was presided over over by the president (Mr J. K. Hornblow). There was a good attendance o members. , Tho president wclcomod back to tne chamber’ Mr A. Alsop, of Manawatu Heads, who had been absent from Wew Zealand for a considerable time on holiday abroad. A welcomo was also extended to Mr George Barber, a now member, of Marotiri. 'ino president referred to tho fact that Mr Barber was a country representative on tho chamber, but in years gone by he had taken a particularly active part in local body locally and ho was pleased to sco him onco again taking an interest in tho public lifo of the town. Years ago Mr Barber had served tho borough well as a Borough Councillor and on tho School Committee. Messrs Alsop and Barber returned thanks. A motion of sympathy was passed to Mr T. McGee, the president referring to tho particularly sad double bereavement which had como upon their member. " Tho Public Works Department notified that Mr Lamason, Public Works inspector, had visited Foxton to inspect tho new courthouse which was now completed, and that during his vjsit ho had conferred with tho president of the chamber and tho Mayor in referonco to the shifting back of tho old picket fence around the new building and the erection in its stead of a small kerb. All parties concerned were agreoablo to this, but it was necessary that a confirming letter bo forwarded tho Public Works Department to this, effect. Tho secretary reported that this matter had already been attended to. The Foxton Harbour Board notified that the board would confer with local body representatives on the question of tho prcefrential railway tariff at its next meeting to bo hold in Palmerston North. The Mayor and Mr H. E. Garbett were appointed delegates to attend the conference on behalf of the chamber. Mr George Barber drew the chamber’s attention to the dangerous bend in Union Street towards the eastern end of the road and considered something should be done to improve the road in this Many years ago, when on the Borough Council, he had agitated for and had removed one side of the hill, but nothing had been done to the other side. Lupins were also growing on the -roadside at this spot and it was impossible to see any approaching traffic. The Mayor said that the council had had the matter under consideration and a light had been placed on tho bend to make it safer at night. As tho road was subsidiary highway, it was not possible to do anything in the way of improving it at present. Mr Alsop spoke at some length on the beach roads and tho need for bettor access to beach sections. A general discussion ensued and Mr Alsop was advised to place the matter before tho Harbour Board which body had jurisdiction of the beach roads.Mr Alsop extended an invitation to members of tho chambor to spend a social evening with him at the conclusion of the business of the next monthly meeting. The president, on behalf of the chamber, accepted Mr Alsop’s invitation and it was decided to meet on tho last Thursday on next month at 7.30 p.m. and to adjourn the meeting at 8 o’clock. Mr D. R. Barron was deputed to arrange a programme of musical and vocal items. A letter was received fnom the chairman of the Main Highways Board in reply to the chamber’s request that steps be taken to protect the Whirokino Road from flooding. The writer stated that the problem was a very difficult one on acaount of the fact that there is a great deal of uncertainty in connection with the flood control schemes which are being considered for the district. The nature and locality of such schemes undoubtedly would have a very important bearing on the question of making the highway paesablo at all times. An approximate estimate to raise the road three feet and to provide a largo flood opening which would be necessary if the read wero raised was £3l,ooo.—The' letter was received. The Government proposal to withohld tho highways subsidy and the proposed increase in primage duty and the proposed land tax were jfiscussed, and it was decided to forward the following protest to tho Prime Minister: “That this chamber protests against the Government’s proposals (1) to withhold the highways subsidy, tho effect of which will be to modify and postpone urgent highways construction work on the Wellington-Auckland-New Plymouth main highway within the jurisdiction of the Manawatu County Council, besides throwing a largo number of men out of employment; (2) that the chamber opposes tho proposed increase in primage duty, the passing on of which to the consumer will add to the cost of living; (3) that the proposed land tax will have a detrimental effect upon the farming community of this district.”