FOXTON WHARF

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 111, 7 April 1930, Page 7

FOXTON WHARF

PROPOSED REMOVAL. SITE NEARER HEADS. REPORT AWAITED FROM GOVERNMENT. A suggestion to remove the present Foxton wharf to Rush Flat was made at this morning’s meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board. The district engineer of the Railway Department, Wanganui, advised as follows : “For a number of years the running of all engines on the Foxton wharf has been prohibited, and the condition of this structure has now reached the stage when it may become necessary to debar any loaded vehicles being allowed to run thereon. Will you please advise whether it would be practicable to deal with the business at this station were such a restriction on train movements imposed? The cost of the necessary repairs, to bring the wharf up to a reasonable condition of safety would be approximately £250, and it is extremely doubtful whether the ’Foxton Harbour Board could pay such a sum.” It was pointed out that this communication had been addressed to tho stationmaster at Foxton. Mr M. Perreau strongly supported removing tho present wharf to Rush Flat. Mr J. A. Nash: I am very pleased to hear that, as the opposition to this proposal previously came from tho Foxton borough. Mr Nash added that at the last meeting authority had been given to the secretary to purchase a kit of tools, and the structure was to bo repaired from time to time as men were available. It could thus be kept in reasonable order. Mr Nash, however, said he was favourably inclined to the proposal to remove tho wharf to Rush Flat. This would necessitate a connecting link with the present railway, but he was of the opinion that tho excursion traffic that would be carried in the summer would handsomely pay interest charges on tho new section of line. He was prepared to follow Mr Perreau in what he had said. The Foxton wharf had been erected in such a way that it could bo removed and re-erected at Rush Flat. He could not see that its removal would hurt Foxton, as the more shipping that was dealt with the better it would be for the town. Mr Bryant pointed out that Rush Flat was subject to flooding. A raised road would be necessary. If the money could be procured from the Govern- ; ment to repair the wharf it should Bf be repaired as soon as possible. ■ Mr Nash: Ido not think that you H will get a penny out of the GovernH ment. 1 OPPOSITION EXPRESSED. 1 Mr R. Edwards said he was opposed ■ to the project to remove the wharf. ■ There was, he considered, nothing ■ wrong with the river. If it was used R at high tides there was no reason why K boats should not come up to Foxton. M All that was required was the repair m 0 f the wharf. The present discussion |rc was, however, a useless one, as the W board was awaiting a report from the R two Government engineers. The board k had nothing before it at present. I Mr Blenkhorn said it appeared that \ there was something wrong, with the river. If a wharf could be erected at Rush Flat it appeared to him to be a wise proposition. L Mr J. Linklater, the chairman, said R that some years ago he had adv'oca- » ted Rush Flat as the site of the iff wharf. Since then he had given Hf fuller consideration to the matter. At m this stage it would be premature to do anything at Rush Flat until the operations of the Manawatu-Oroua River Board in the vicinity were finalised. The Minister would be in Palmerston North before Easter and it was hoped to secure definite information on the position from him. One point was that the distance from the Heads would be shortened by 4} miles if the Rush Flat site were approved. Mr Perreau outlined the position regarding the carriage of hemp, stating that the Railway Department appeared to be working against the port and was “grabbing”- all the traffic. Mr Edwards said. the railway was carrying the hemp 50 miles further to make the railways pay and was taking it away from the boats. Mr Perreau: -Unfortunately, the boats are not too reliable. Mr Edwards: Give them the cargoes and there will be plenty of boats. It was decided to request the Government to make available immediately details of the report on the wharf. Mr Kellow pointed out that the inspection had been made three months ago.