CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 62, 15 March 1910, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

r~~ The monthly meeting of the Cham- * t»er of Commerce was held in the secretary's office last night. Present: Messrs Blakiston, Bain, Newett, Webber, Jving, Morgan, F. J. Knight, and C. Thomson. The vice-president, Mr Blakiston, occupied the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. From T. Lindsay Buick, president, apologising for absence, owing to his being out of town. From L. C. Rathbone, apologising for absence owing to the same reason. From N. Paulsen, suggesting that the Chamber of Commerce move in the direction of securing better railway facilities for Takapau. Mr Dobson said he had forwarded a copy of the letter to the Minister for Railways.—Resolved to await a reply. From Unclcr-Sccretary of Public Works, stating that specifications for bush-felling the road lines in the Ivumeu block were recently approved, an destructions issued to the district road engineer to have the work put in hand immediately. Mr Newett stated that there were four men on the work at present. From S. W. Fislier, I'nder-Secre-tary of .Native Lands, stating that he had noted the matter of the Tahoraite native leases for consideration when the new Act comes into force on the 81 st instant. Mr Blakiston said if tlio Maoris preferred to hand the land oyer to the board they could deal with it as they thought fit. Mr Bain suggested they should discuss the matter with the present lessee.

iviv .Newett moved that Messrs Buick, Bickford, and C. Thomson be asked to interview the lessee of the land and report to a special meeting. Mr Thomson asked if the natives would be willing to place the land under the board. Mr Blakiston said he thought they would, unless the titles were individualised, and he did not think there was much chance of that. Mr Bain moved that the committee to interview Mr Knight be asked to enquire into the matter of Mr Stevens' block. He added to the motion that this Chamber is of the opinion that the acquisition of the block at present held by Mi- R. Stevens would be in the interest of settlement in this district. Mr .Newett seconded, and it was carried. From J. K. Logan, Superintendent of Electric Lines, stating that lie could only repeat information in his last letter that as no additional revenue would be derived, it is regretted the request cannctt be acceded to.—Received. From General Manager of Railways, that the matter of live stock consignment to JDannevirke will be enquired into. —Received. From Under-Secretary of the Post Office, stating that the question of the English mail for JDannevirke would be considered.—Received. jL- rom the Minister for Railways, stating that the Chamber's representations that have been forwarded will be carefully considered when the timetable is being dealt with.—Received. From the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce, stating that the freight on wool question will be discussed at the next meeting, when it will probably be decided to urge the matter by deputation—Received. Mr Iving said lie had lately had papers overcarried to Napier. When lie had instituted enquiries through Mr Black, the chief postmaster at Napier had stated tliat it was a common occurrence, as. the mail sorters had' not time to sort the whole of the mail. Mr Blakiston said it would be due to shortage of men on the van, and the remedy would be to increase the men.

It was decided to -communicate with the department in regard to the matter. Mr King asked that the chamber request the. Labor Department to supply a Tabor report with reference to Dannevirke in the Labor journal. Mr Newett seconded, and it was carried. Mr Bain said there was one question, although lie did not know if it was within the scope of the chamber; 1 that Avas to endeavor to have a revaluation of the- borough propertymade. Members were unanimously of the opinion that a new valuation should be- carried out.