FOXTON

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 23 February 1929, Page 4

FOXTON

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. FUTURE OF THE PORT. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday night, Mr. J. K. Hornblow, president, occupying the chair. Also present were Messrs F. C. Ruikes, G. F. Smith, H. C. Garbctt, A. E. Scott, M. E. Pcrreau, T. A. Mason, VV. Trueman, D. Christie, D. R. Barron, John Ross, H. Hewitt and the secretary (Mr. R. O. Hornblow). The following new members were elected: Messrs G. O. Barber, J. Aitchison, and J. Martin; and they were welcomed bv the chairman.

A sub-ccmmittec was appointed to make arrangements to give an official welcome to the town to the commerce train delegation next month. The party, some 65 in number, would be leaving Levin On a Saturday morning and would arrive at Foxton by car, leaving again by the train at 10 a.m. An inspection is to be made of the flaxmills, poultry farms and various other works of interest. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Pcrrcau) brought before the meeting the fact that tho Harbour board would shortly be called upon seriously to consider closing down the port and if that happened, the ratepayers of tho borough would be required to pay 75 per cent of the rates that would be levied by, tho board to meet its interest and other charges. At the recent conference of harbour boards, approval lind been given to a remit permitting harbour boards to purchase and charter ships, and that course appeared to be the one for the Foxton Harbour board to adopt. Mr. F. C. Raikcs stressed the importance of a direct shipping service between Foxton and the South Island ports for grain and other cereals. A deputation was subsequently arranged to wait on the Harbour board on Monday morning to support any scheme to keep the port open for trade.

Borough Rating. The matter of borough rating was discussed at some length, the advantages or otherwise of the unimproved value basis being reviewed by various speakers. The Town clerk (Mr. W. Trueman) who was present, explained the provisions of the recent amendment to tho Municipal Corporations Act, which provided for the value of farming lands being reduced for borough Tating purposos, a motion to adopt this provision being duo for consideration by tho borough council at its next meeting . In view of tho fact that various property owners had been successful in sustaining objections to tho valuation roll, it was moved by Mr. D. R. Barron and seconded by Mr. D. Christie, that the Borough Council be asked to havo the borough revalued. Mr. Wm. Ross, senr., tendered his resignation on account of ill-health and this was accepted with regret. Tho impending departure of Mr. C. A. Pearson, a very old rrnmbcr of the Chamber and an ex-councillor was referred to and a fitting farewell is to be arranged next week.

All Saints’ Church. A very enjoyable garden party wa3 held at the Vicarage, Avenue road, on Thursday afternoon and was well attended by parischioncrs and their friends. Games and competitions were indulged in, the prize winners being as follow; —French croquet, Miss Armstrong; nut hunt, Miss N. Robinson; quoits, Rev. W. H. Walton. A feature of the afternoon was the sale of surprise packets. During the progress of afternoon tea, the Rev. W. H. Walton (vicar) on behalf of the ladies’ guild called upon Mrs. C. A. Pearson, who is leaving Foxton shortly, to accept a handbag and a sum of money as a token of the esteem in which she was held bv the guild members. He referred to the valuable services Mrs. Pearson had rendered to the church during ber long residcnco m Foxton, and said that she would be greatly missed. He wished her health and prosperity in her now life and musical honours wore then accorded the departing member. Mrs. Pearson suitably replied acknowledging tho gift in a few well chosen word 3. Tho sum of £ll will be available for the church work as a result of tho afternoon, and the guild members desire to express their gratitude to all who assisted to make tho afternoon u success.

Personal Constable H. Huntley, of Napier, is spending part of his annual vacation with his brother, Mr. A. G Huntley. Deputy Superintendent 11. Reid, accompanied by Firemen R. Parker and R. des Jardincs, left yesterday morning for Hokitika, where they will represent tho Foxton Fire Brigade at the annual demonstration. Driver A. Stevenson accompanied tho team as the local delegate to tho conference. Mr. A. G. Huntley (road foreman) who sustained injuries a week or so ago while cranking up tho tractor has now resumed duty. . ... ... Mr. and Mrs. H. Parker, of Wellington, were visitors to Foxton on Thursday. Mrs. PaTker, who was formerly Miss K. Berthold, was for severe years office assistant in tlic Borough council office.

Shipping. The m.v. Kotiti will bo loading cargo at Wellington on Monday for Foxton.

Swimming. A meeting of the Foxton Swimming club was held in Walls’ rooms on Thursday evening. Mr. H. Hutchins (president) was in the chair and there were also present Messrs 0. Doc., R. Hornblow, A. Walls and the secretary (Mr. D. R. Barron). . The programme for tho carnival was fullv discussed and adopted as follows; Beginners, boys, across baths; giijs do., boys and girls under 16 25 yards handicap. Ladies’ 50 yards. Centro championship. Breaststroke, 50 yards handicap. Open dive (ladies and men). Alen’s 100 yards. Men’s and ladies 50 yards handicap. Dual relay and men's relay. ~ . It was decided to hold the carnival on the evening of Saturday, March 9. Officials were elected as follow:Toueh line judges: Messrs Doel, Proctor, Chipper and Alexander; timekeepers;

Messrs W. Neville and C. Pritchard and Centre representative; call stewards, left to Centre; handicappers: Messrs Docl, Hutchins and Barron; starters and judges, left to Centre; blackboard: Mr. C. Proctor.

Mr. W. H. Nicholas lias donated the trophy for the event for boys under 10. A challenge was received for the Ferns from Messrs R. Ball and J. and W. Hirini.