CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12306, 21 April 1937, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING “OPEN SPACES’’ FOR TAURANGA new POST OFFICE PLANS Tlui, monthly meeting of the Taulanga Chamber of Commerce; hoM in tHo Purcugh Council Chambers last night, was attended by Messrs Bradney AVilliams (President, in the chair), L. Flower, F. N. Christian, I R Cameron, S. A. AVoods, Pepperj corn, P. T. Keam, Norman, C. F. AA’asher, Mrs J. Barnev, Misses Ramsey and Checkley. Apologies for absence were rei ceived from Mr C. H. Burnett, M.P., Mr F .AA r . Keam, and Mr J. R. Chambers. Mr ,1. M. Spottiswoode was elected a member of the Chamber. Open Spaces Air C. H. Burnett, M.P., wrote in reply to a letter from the Chamber in reference to "open spaces” for Tauranga, on the following lines: Ten Acres of Native Land on Cameron . Road.—On looking into this property Mr Burnett found that the educational authorities had secured a Glasgow lease of the property for youths’ agricultural education. “Hillsdene.”—The acquisition of this property as a domain had been commendably taken up by the South Progress League, and a petition, largely signed, was presented to the Minister of Lands by the League. The Minister, -in company with the officials of the League, Inspected the property during his recent visit. Air Burnett said he w r as hopeful that, as a result of the Minister’s inspection, and the representations made, that the Government would give the matter serious consideration in view of the paucity of open spaces for recreative purposes. Pie hoped to be able to report some progress soon. Pligh School Site. —The question of a high school for Tauranga must soon be seriously considered. The school authorities recently met the Chairman of the Education Board and other officials in Tauranga. The present old school building was, in view of the large increase of children, quite inadequate. Mr Burnett said he felt this opened up the question of a suitable site for the high school and if the very fine site at the end of Cameron Road was sufficiently central, for the purpose, it was a question that merited full consideration, not only by the education authorities but by Phe Chamber of Commerce. If the existing and the proposed high school site were not considered sufficiently central it might open the question of the Education Board selling the site to the Government, for the purpose of adding this area to the domain, and with the proeeeds.purchasing an area for the high school—and probably a much larger area—in a more central and convenient position. He was simply endeavouring at the moment to focus attention on the question as one that merited consideration.

Mr Christian said the high school reserve was convenient to the railway station, the wharves and the domain grounds, while sea bathing was adjacent (to the area. For years the need for erecting a high school on the reserve had been stressed. It was urged that the reserve be sold and the proceeds devoted to the purchase of another property. Personally he would be sorry to see the site sold. Mr Flower explained that the question would be further considered by the High School Committee and a public meeting would-be held. • It was agreed that consideration of the matter be deferred.

Coronation Decorations. Mr R. B. Shearman, Town Clerk, in acknowledging a letter in reference to Coronation decorations, advised that the Electricity Committee was reporting on the matter and the Chamber would be advised as to its decision. —-Received. Mayor Island The General Manager of the Tourist and Publicity Division of the Department of Industries and Commerce, wrote advising that In the Department’s News Bulletin mention had been- made on different occasions of the wonderful sport available off Mayor Island. The Department was also considering the question of publishing a booklet on the Tauranga district in which full particulars would be given in regard to the deep-sea fishing to be obtained there.” It was decided to ask the Department for a supply of copies of the News Bulletin. Bridge Proposal The Secretary of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce advised that it was prepared to support, in any way within its power, the proposals indicated by the Tauranga Chamber in regard to a bridge at the Raparapa Ford on the Waikato side of the Kaimais. The letter was received. New Post Office Mr C. H. Burnett, M.P., forwarded letter as received by him from the Postmaster-General in reference to the new Post Office at’Tauranga. Mr Burnett advised he had inspected the plans. It would be really fine building and would consist of a ground and a second floor. Personally he felt that the future of Tauranga merited a third floor, or in the alternative, a “foundation” and “lift well” to carry later a third floor. He had made representations in the matter. The Hon. F. Jones, PostmasterGeneral, in acknowledging a letter from Mr Burnett, suggesting that the foundations of the new building he designed to permit of the addition of a third storey at some future date, stated: “I have looked into the matter and find that the two-storied building planned will meet the requirements of my Department for many years to come. It is regretted, therefore, that I am unable to adopt your suggestion.” The letter was received. Children’s Health Camps.

Mr C. H. Burnett, M.P., wrote as follows: “Your Chamber will doubtless be aware that the Government has announced an appeal for £IOO,000 for the purpose of the establishment of children’s health camps in New Zealand of a permanent character, and have opened the fund with £ 25,000. I feel the claims of Tauranga and particularly Mount Maunganui, as a location for one of the permanent health camps, should be seriously pressed. I respectfully suggest that Mount Maunganui is an ideal location for children of the Waikato, Rotorua, Main Trunk and Bay of Plenty districts. As your Chamber Is also aware the Public Works Department has some thirtyfive acres of land lying between the harbour and the sea and at the terminus of the railway. I personally feel that this idle and _ waste laud could be transformed into a very fine permanent health camp for the children requiring treatment from the districts I have mentioned. I would like the opinion of the Chamber on the matter.” Mr Burnett, in a postscript to his letter, added: “It might be said that it would not be wise to have a health camp for children at such a fine seaside resort as Mount Maunganui, but my answer to that is that these children have no infectious or contagious diseases, but simply require sunshine and open-air treatment, with sea-bathing, etc. It was stated that the aim was to establish one health camp in each ISI Mi- Cl Christian said if the Govern-

ment proceeded with the construction of the railway from Taneatua to Opotiki, the old railway yards at the Mount would be required. He thought a suitable site might, however, be secured on the Ocean Beach side. He moved —That the Secretary and the mover confer with Mr Burnett, M.P., on the matter. The motion was seconded by Mr Peppercorn and carried. Hour of Meeting. It was agreed that in future the meetings of the Chamber commence at 7.30 p.m. instead of 8 o’clock. Publicity Question Mrs Barney urged the necessity for advertising Tauranga per the medium of a booklet, and submitted copies of booklets issued in another town. The matter was left in the hands of Mrs Barney for further inquiry. Sanatorium Proposal Mr Christian said the question of a sanatorium for consumptives at Bombay was claiming attention in Auckland. It appeared to him that the Kaimai Hills might provide a suitable location for a sanatorium. No action was taken. Half-Holiday Mr Washer said garage proprietors would in future only be permitted to have one employee on their premises on Saturday afternoons, and suggested that the question of the Saturday half-holiday might be considered. The Chairman gave a review of the steps that had been taken concerning the half-holiday. It was necessary that a majority of each trade, should sign a requisition regarding the day to be observed as the holfholiday. The matter had been referred to a sub-committee but it had not yet reliorted to the Chamber. Kaimai Road A resume of the improvement of the Kaimai Road was given by Mr Christian, who was. thanked by the Chairman for the information.