FOXTON.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2779, 22 October 1923, Page 2

FOXTON.

SHIPPING—A COINCIDENCE. (From our own Correspondent) When the matter of obtaining an. other steamer far the Foxton trade was being discussed at the last meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce, one member jocularly remarked: "Now we will have the Kennedy getting stuck again.” The words were strangely prophetic, for the Kennedy in coming in on Thursday night, stuck on a mud bank a short distance below the wharf. She had evidently got out of her course, or else tiie recent high flood has moved a sand bank into the channel. Unfortunately, the pilot’s launch is laid up, as it is undergoing some necessary repairs, so it is quite passible that a bank has been formed by the action of the flood. This is the first mishap that has happened to the s.s. Kennedy since last April, and as it has been reported that the river had not less than lift of water at high fide in the shallowest part, it is to be hoped that the Harbour Board will immediately ascertain whether a mud bank has been formed, and, if so, get the dredge to clear the obstruction away without delay. This is absolutely necessary, for shippers had quite regained their confidence in the port as being quite safe and workable, and we do not want to lose that confidence.

MUNICIPAL MATTERS. The Mayor (My J. Chrystall) is being severely criticised in the local press fox his opposition to putting the matter of a library, reading-room and rest-room for ladies before the ratepayers. While it must be admitted that our First Citizen should give a lead in any programme propositions, he cannot be altogether ta blame if these propositions are not carried through, for, after all, ho is only one of many, and those councillors who support him in. opposition to progressive; measures are equally to blame, and therefore, it is hardly fair to lay all the blame on the head of the Mayor. But the public always demand a scapegoat, and others are passed aver with barely a thought. When the Mayor characterised a library, reading and rest-room as a luxury, and that people did not know the meaning of sacrifice, he must have done so without giving the matter any thought whatever. No thinking person will deny but that in these days a library and reading room is a necessity; and as far as a rest-room for ladies in Foxton is concerned, this is absolutely essential. The Mayor and councillors carried a proposal unanimously that conveniences for men should be erected in Whyte Street. He and his Council must have considered these were necessary, otherwise those would have been objected to. Why, therefore, the objection to give ladies the same conveniences? for their need is much greater than the men’s, especially mothers with babies and young children.

And those swimming baths! Why is the Mayor so determined to have the baths down at the river? At the last Council meeting, he said that swimming baths might be a matter of life and death. If this is so (and he has been Mayor for nearly ten years now), how is It that he has not had these established years ago? Why hurry now? This site is just below the septic tank. It is also a site that ladies would not patronise, as local people know full well. If the Mayor is wise, ho will put a loan before the ratepayers for a library, etc., and join forces with the school committee tojsecure swimming baths by local effort and the help of the Education Board.