Monopoly Suggested For Foxton Port

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 6

Monopoly Suggested For Foxton Port

TO SECUBE CONSTANT RUNNING OF BOAT A proposal to give one company a monopoly of the use of tlie port of Foxton so as to ensure the constant running of a boat, rvas advanced at yesterday’s meeting of the Foxton Harbour Board by Mr. M. E. Perreau, Mayor of Foxton. Other members recognised the merits of the idea, which will be expounded more fully by Mr. Perreau at a later meeting.

Those present at the meeting were Messrs. J. Linlvlater (chairman), P. W. Goldsmith, J. A. Nash, M. E. Perreau and Osborne. The pilot, Captain J. Bald, regretted reporting that the depth of water on the bar. had not been maintained. Shoaling of one part occurred on March 20. The average depth at the last spring tides was 9ft. 6in. and for the present neaps it is 7ft. Gin. The water in the river has been good. At Kobinson’s bend there was a depth of Bft 6in. at neap tides and lift, at spring tides. In fact, there was good water in the whole channel. He bad sounded tho bar five times and the river four times within a short- period on account of the shoaling at the bar and to check tho soundings with the tide gaugue. lhere had been only one arrival and one departure. The weather had kept fine during the month and the bar smooth until March 28, when the sea was rather rough to rough. The Railway Department’s district engineer advised that the cost of repairing the wharf, which the secretary reported was an urgent matter, would be about £3O. The Department would do the necessary work on receipt of a cheque for the amount and any money saved would be refunded.—lt was decided to ask the Department for details of the work proposed. The Horowhenua Power Board advised that a further guarantee of £lO was needed for an extension of the power lines and Mr. Perreau said there would be no difficulty in getting the extra signatures. Mr. Osborne reported that he had heard favourable comment from visitors on the sanitary condition in -which the beach had been kept during tho holidays, when large crowds had gathered. The financial statement revealed an overdraft of £1164 5s 4d. Rents for the six months ended March 3 had produced £673 0s Id, including £438 6s 7d from Te Wharangi, £SS 4s 6d from Round Bush and £99 6s 6d from camp fees. Wharfage inward for the same six months amounted to £219 3s Sd. The chairman that the financial statement was not very satisfactory. The board was still losing money. Mr. Goldsmith: How long can we keep going as a harbour board with one boat a month? Mr. Osborne said Palmerston North merchants were keen to ship through Foxton if a suitable boat could be secured to trade regularly with the South Island. The chairman confirmed this statement. Mr. Perreau urged a plan to give one company a monopoly of the trade to Foxton. He thought such an assurance would induce constant running. This proposal is to be considered by the board at a later meeting. The chairman mentioned that in years gone by as soon as one company found a rival getting into the port fairly frequently, they would also put on a boat and the result was they cut each other’s throats and finally no boats were running. A deputation headed by Mr. G. Watchorn waited on the board, urging a reconsideration of the terms undet which sections at the beach were leased, as the people had no security of tenure, and under such a condition, nobody felt inclined to spend any money. Away back in 1937 the board had been approached on the same matter, but nothing was done. Mr. Watchorn said this insecurity of tenure was holding the beach back a great deal. Other members of the deputation urged the tar-sealing of Linklater Avenue, attention to side roads, more attention to the emptying of rubbish roceptacles, extra lighting on the beach. The chairman informed the deputation that the board had been trying to get tho matter settled by giving the lessees registered leases, but the cost' of surveys, etc., was beyond the finances of the board. However, it would be possible to give the people unregistered Glasgow leases and the matter would be completed as soon as possible.

The board later asked the local committee to take the necessary steps in conference with the board’s solicitor.

The local committtee was asked to report on the number of street lights required and to take action regarding the condition of tho side roads and rubbish collection.

Regarding the tar-sealing of Linklater Avenue (the old road to the river beach) further representations are to be made to the ManrXatu County Council.