YEAR IN REVIEW

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 266, 23 August 1949, Page 2

YEAR IN REVIEW

Chamber of Commerce MANY ITEMS CONSIDERED Numerous matters were dealt with by the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce during the past year, states the president, Mr H. F. MeElrea, in his annual report for presentation to members at the annual meeting on Thursday night. It is pointed out in the report that, to endeavour to interest members in the chamber, short reports were circulated during the year. “Members, no doubt,” adds the report, “will anticipate our efforts, especially in regard to arriving at some finality over railway crossings, and our investigations into the best and most practical way of operating a liquor trust in Ashburton.” The report reviews in some detail the following items deal with during the year: “Irrigation—On the invitation of Mr C. ITilgendorf, the chamber was conducted round the Winchmore irriga Con scheme by the Irrigation Farmers’ Committee and the progress of irrigation in that area explained to members, the committee pointing out that increased charges for water at that time would not help to increase the use of irrigation. It was resolved to write to the Ministers of Works and Finance protesting against the increased water charges. This chamber fully realises the possibilities of irrigation, and what it will mean to Ashburton when fully developed.

“Railway Yards —As a result of representations to the Borough Council, a joint committee of the chamber and council interviewed Mr Lovett, of New Zealand Railways to discuss the cleaning and beautifying of the railway yards. As a result the Borough Council have power to erect a privet hedge along the frontage of West Street and the' corner of Havelock and West Streets will be laid out as a garden plot. As a further result of their meeting, some of the huts have been, removed to Tinwald.

Crossings and Trust “Railway Crossings—The chamber asked for a public meeting to be held with regard to improving conditions regarding railway crossings, with the result that the railway have now decided to instal automatic warning devices at three of the most dangerous crossings, etc. “Licensing Trust —At the request of this chamber, the Mayor called a meeting of delegates of all interested bodies to consider what form the trust in Ashburton would follow. As a result of this meeting suggestions were forwarded to Wellington to be included in the legislation. This meeting aleo gave clubs and societies in Ashburton an opportunity of inserting a clause to give them protection for their building and from the Public Works Act. Our thanks are due to Mr John Lane tor introducing this matter and for his work in connection with it. It was further pointed out in the report that, as a result of representations by the chamber, three new call boxes had been installed and aleo additional posting boxes; thanks were expressed to Mr L. W. Christmas for his • work and comprehensive report in this connection. Radio interference, workers’ compensation, health stamp sales, transit housing (for work in regard to which the Borough Council is congratulated) and issue of a telephone directory supplement were other matters dealt with during the year. The report concluded with congratulations to the Junior Chamber on success in various projects and wished it every encouragement and success in the future.

Financial Statement

The financial statement- shows that the year opened with a credit balance of £133 and closed with one of £BB. The principal item of revenue was subscriptions totalling £129, while main items on the expenditure side comprised secretarial fees (16 months) £69, stamps, etc. £23, affiliation with Associated Chambers , £lB, conference expenses £23, “N.Z. Commerce” journal £3l. The excess of expenditure over income was £23.