Old reports show Foxton never happy with discharging

History shows Foxton has never been happy about Palmerston North discharging sewage to the Manawatu¯ River.

Foxton Historical Society member Jim Harper said by coincidence he stumbled across a series of newspaper articles dating back more than 130 years, that showed Foxton had always spoken out against big city river sewage.

Fast forward to 2020, and the current feeling within Foxton is the same as it was in 1890, he said.

Harper, who is also a member of Save Our River Trust, said the issue had reared its head again this month, as Palmerston North City Council currently considers continued river discharge as an option for the future.

A public meeting held in Foxton last week was attended by more than 100 locals opposed to river discharge.

He found a Manawatu Herald article dated April 15, 1890, which said “. . . our (Foxton) Borough Council is protesting against the selfish proposal of the Palmerston Council to free themselves from their own sewage, by depositing it in the river to be carried past other people’s property, to their hurt and annoyance”.

Harper said the view of one Palmerston North councillor (Manawatu Standard, April 10, 1901) possibly represented many ratepayers’ reaction to a negative report from the then Public Health officer Dr Mason relating to sewage being discharged into the Manawatu¯ river.

“Councillor Edwards . . . denied that any complaints had been received by any local bodies as to sewage being run into the river, and considered the whole matter was due to the action of busybodies, who were no friends of the town,” the article said.

“Fortunately he got pushback from some other councillors who noted Foxton’s objections, but then just as now, Palmerston North Councillors were preoccupied by immediate cost issues,” he said.

Another article in the Manawatu Herald on December, 20, 1889, was headed River Pollution.

“We are not desirous of placing our neighbours at Palmerston in any awkward position, but we hold we are not doing so, as there are other ways to dispose of sewerage, besides discharging it to the river,” it said.

Harper said the article had proven prophetic, as it also said “warning them (Palmerston North Council) in good time objection will be taken and it would be wiser for them to ask for suggestions for other systems”.

Harper said that “good time” for “suggestion for other systems” has arrived, as the consensus in Foxton was still the same 130 years later.