“ Daniel in the Lion’s Den ”

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 4

“ Daniel in the Lion’s Den ”

Harb®ur Board Member at Beach Leaseholders’ Meeting

Soon after the commencement of proceedings at the recent annual meetng of the Foxton Beach Leaseholders’ Society it was discovered that Mr. M. E. Perrcau, a member *of the Foxton Barbour Board, was sitting at the back )f the hall. Leaseholders who had issembled to air their grievances were ielighted to find that a "live target’ tvas to be presented for their ‘ ‘ annual shoot,” and as the news was quickly passed round the hall, whispers of "put [he flounder nets out” and "lock the loor” could be heard while Mr. L. K. Andrews (president of the society) was reporting on the negotiations with the Harbour Board during the past year, which had resulted in many promises but very little actually being tone to improve tho facilities at the beach. During the discussion on the annual report and balance-sheet Mr. W. H. Brown said that he was amazed to find that the leaseholders had to raise money for the formation of roads. Sureiy this was the function of the Harbour Board. The beach was the principal playground for the district and all money raised by leaseholders should be spent on amenities such as playgrounds for children and sports areas. , _ , Mr. J. Wass said that the Harbour Board had a wonderful asset in the beach and that if they would only realise it, the spending of money on the beach would repay them ten times over. Mr. J. Williams considered that the time was long overdue for consideration of a definite scheme for financing necessary improvements and that the Harbour Board being the controlling authority should do the job properly. Mr. Perreau at this stage volunteered to explain the positiou of the Harbour Board in these matters,'and at the president’s invitation took tho platform and addressed the meeting. After outlining the history of the Foxton Harbour Board and the beach endowment, Mr. Perreau stated that owing to the closing of the port the rentals from the beach sections wore the only revenue received by the Board, and this income was not sufficient to pay the interest on the loans raised to build the wharf, sheds, etc. Tho difference of approximately £BOO per annum was obtained by levy from the contributing local bodies. A certain amount of work was done each year at the beach, but owing to the limited amount of money available it was not possible for the Board to do more at present. However, as further sections were taken up the position would improve. Leaseholders were recently asked to pay a deposit of £1 each towards the cost of a survey to enable them to obtain a proper plan, but some of these deposits had recently been withdrawn. This was hardly fair to Board which had engaged a surveyor to go ou with the work. Mr. J. Wass: Wo did not know the survey was being proceeded with. Mr. Perreau: The survey has already been commenced, and I have in my hand a plan of the first blocks of the survey. The president (Mr. L. K. Andrews): The leaseholders who paid the deposit are wondering why their sections have not been surveyed. They feel that the Board is using the money for the purpose of surveying and opening up new sections. Is that so 1 ? Mr. Perreau: It may be so, but the whole beach will be done in time. A voice: How long?

Mr. Perreau; It may take many years. Mr. S. Skinner: Something must be done to the streets to enable us to get to our sections. The street known as Robbie Street is impassable and only the other day the axle of a neighbour’s car -was broken in attempting to get through. I have also bent the tow-bar of my tractor and many times in the night I have been called out of bed to assist motorists stuck in the sand. 1 ani prepared to donate £5 and others will also assist if the Harbour Board will only get on with the job. A voice: Why should you pay for it? Mr. M. Pearce: The Harbour Board should not allot sections unless proper access is given. Mr. Perreau: If people take up sections and cannot get access, that is their fault, not the Harbour Board's. Members; Oh!

Mr. S. J. Judd: One man was offered section No. 484 two months ago but it cannot be traced on any of the plans. Has the Harbour Board a complete plan showfing all the section numbers so that this section may be located? Mr. Perreau: I will look into the matter.

Mr. Judd; You promised to look into it a month ago when I mentioned it on the bowling green! Mr. Perreau: How can I be expected to remember something told me on the bowling green? Mr. Lewis: The Harbour Board is spending money on facilities for campers whose fees amount to something over £IOO per annum, while practically nothing is spent on improvements required by leaseholders who pay rents totalling approximately £IOOO. Can you tell us how much was spent by the Board last year on improvements to streets?

Mr. Perreau regretted that he had not the figures. A leaseholder: About £25 would cover

As questions were being fired from all parts of the hall, the president appealed for fair play for Mr. Perreau w r ho had come along of his own free will to be of help- He was only one member of the Board and at all times had willingly offered his assistance to the leaseholders.

Mr. J. Watchorn, in endorsing the president’s remarks, said they had heard of "Daniel in the lion’s den,” and as Mr. Perreau was the only member of the Board game enough to come to the leaseholders’ meeting ho deserved the best thanks of those present

for giving his time and assistance and answering the many questions. Mr. Watchorn suggested, however, that it seemed that it was necessary for the Harbour Board to appoint someone at the beach to look after the Board’s interests and attend to inquiries from prospective leaseholders, and to whom rents and camp site fees could be paid. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Perreau for intending the meeting was moved by Mr. Judd and seconded by Mr. W. H. Brown. The motion was carried unanimously w ith loud applause, and as Mr. Perreau was leaving the meeting Mr. Judd asked him to carry on the good work, and added that, like all those serving the public, he could do better if he tried. Mr- Perreau smilingly assented.

The Mayor, Mr. A. E. Mansford, acknowledges with thanks the donation of the sum of £lO 10s to the patriotic funds from Miss Zoo Bailey, being the .proceeds of dance recital-