TO SAFEGUARD FOXTON PORT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7193, 27 June 1933, Page 7

TO SAFEGUARD FOXTON PORT

Harbour Board and Whirokino Cut Prom Our Own Correspondent. At the monthly meeting of tho Poitou Harbour Board held at Poston yesterday a deputation from tho Mana-watu-Oroua River Board, comprising Messrs Mitchell (chairman), R. Law and Herman Seifert, waited upon the board with further reference to the river diversion schemes at Whirokino and Rush Plat. In introducing the matter, Mr. Mitchell said that previously ho had personally been a strong opponent of the proposed scheme to divert tho river. Now he had become a member of the River Board, however, ho was keen to see that, if possible, the people m the lower area be given a fair opportunity to obtain relief from hoods. The diver Board had now agreed upon a special rating area for me supmrt of maintenance charges, etc., but. before going further into the matter, wanted to obtain from the Postal Harbour Bot.ru a deJinito promise in tho matter of indemnity agains' any claim for possible subsequent damage to the port through tho silting up of the river channels. Mr. Law appealed to the Harbour Board to co-operate with the Maua-walu-Oroua River Board in tho undertaking of what he described as “a national work for the betterment of tho whole district.” He said the scheme had got to come and the longer rne work was left the more expensive it would become. Ho stressed tho fact that the River Board did not want to do anything to injure the port or the town of Poston, both of which ‘‘a3 part of our district are regarded as our port and our town,” he said. What the River Board earnestly desired was the hearty co-operation of all local bodies within tho district. The proposed cuts comprised the key job to almost any improvement work which could bo carried out by the River Board. The speaker stressed the fact that it was useless going on with protective works in the upper area until provision was made for tho adequate discharge of tho water at the lower area. Both the Koputaroa and Moutoa areas suffered extensively from flooding, while the town of Poston and district suffered through tho closing of tho highway and hold-ups at the port. An Improved Port. Continuing, Mr. Law said he claimed that after tne work was done, tho port would bo better than ever. Mr. J. A. Nash: “Whose opinion is that?” Mr. Law admitted it was his own, although tho Public "Works Department had endorsed the proposal and their doing so ho concluded that their engineers did not see any chance of damage being done to tho port. Mr. Nash: “What action is the Poston Borough Council taking In the matter?” Mr. Law; “We have not yet had their reply.” Mr. Osborne: “Which ert would be proceeded with first—the shipping channel or tho main cut?” Mr. Law said tho shipping channel would be a machinery job and the main cut was ono with which they were mainly concerned, although it was really a matter for tho engineers to dccido.

The chairman (Mr. J. Linklater, M.P.): “You want our support to the Whirokino cut?”

Mr. Law: “No. We want your support for tho whole scheme.” Mr. Nash, referring to the previous resolution passed by the Harbour Board, said that tho board had already agreed to tho work provided tho Marino Department and the Public Works Department together with the Mana-watu-Oroua River Board jointly undertook tho work and also gave a guarantee as to the fairway being kept open for shipping. Tho board had also stipulated that the Foxtou Borough Council’s rights should also be protected.

Mr. Law: “As far as Foxtou’s sewerage systoni is concerned, it will not be affected.” He then referred to the comprehensive proposal for tho planting of sand dunes and tho raising of tho Whirokino highway, all of which when taken together with the River Board’s schemes were of vital importance to the district.

Mr. Seifert, in making the position clair, said ho was tho representative on the River Board of a very heavily rated area—the Makerua drainage district—and ho was absolutely certain as far as tho Makerua district was concerned, that if there was any chance of claims for damage through the work being gone ou with, then Makerua was against it. If thero was any desiro to further tho project there must be a very definite understanding in regard to tho matter of compensation, he said.

Mr. Linklater asked if tho River Board was not in favour of the Harbour Board’s previous resolution, personally ho considered it a very xair proposition. Changed His Views.

Mr. Mitchell, in referring to Mr. Linklater’s previous remarks concerning members of the River Board being at cross purposes, said he wished to clear the air on that point. Ho then referred to the cross feeling which earlier had existed between representatives of the upper and lower areas of tho district and also made reference to a deputation to the Minister of Public Works and which had been introduced .by Mr. Linklater. Mr. Mitchell said he had been a member of that deputation and was then opposed to rtic scheme. Now that ho had become a member of the River Board, however, ho did not want to bo a “dog in the manger” and would like to sec the district get the advantages of the cut if possible. “But,” he said, “wc want to know who is doing tho paying and where it is coming from, and wo want a clear indemnity.” As trustees of tho River Board they did not wish to incur a future and unknown liability. Mr. J. Linklater said he. was pleased to learn that the River Board was endeavouring to get tho people in the upper and lower areas united iu their efforts to get tho benefits of the scheme. The Hon. J. G. Coates had told a previous deputation that they could get no satisfaction as long as tho people in the northern area ware fighting the people in the southern end. Mr. Mitchell: “Wo have now got, a play if the work is gone on with. We have now got a definite and separate rating area.”

Mr. Linklater said the Harbour Board, although sympathetic, had to consider their interests, which were mainly tho working of the port. If tho Harbour Board gave tho indemnity asked for and subsequent silting of the channel occurred, tho board would be m a very awkward position. There was considerable shipping activity at .tho port at pr.eseg.tj _which. . jijiiat b.e

protected. He pointed out that the Harbour Board was only asking ror ... guarantee that the fairway be kept, clear for shipping. That was only reasonable and the board had to protect its own interests.

Mr. F. C. Raikes was strongly of the opinion that tho Harbour Board would not be justified in giving an indemnity. Ho pointed out that the port serves a large area which benefited directly through tho shipping services. Mr. P. W. Goldsmith (Levin): “The Harbour Board must protect its own interests. There is no cvidenco that a blockage will occur, but if it should occur it would bo only right that tho board should want adequate protection.”

hlr. Law pointed out that tho scheme had the approval of the Marino nepartmont, but Air. Goldsmith replied that the Harbour'Board had no official advice concerning the matter. After the withdrawal of the deputation, the matter was further discussed by the Harbour Board in committee. Upon resuming open meeting it was resolved to communicate with the Public Works and Alarino Departments and to ask for a report on what action tho river would havo upon the port if the proposed cuts were put through. It was also resolved that the Foxton Borough Council be asked to arrange a deputation to meet tho Harbour Board and further discuss the matter.