CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1346, 1 March 1867, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quarterly meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce took place yesterday afternoon in their rooms, High street. Present — Messrs Day (chairman), Gould, Pavitt, Richardson, Turner, Fletcher, Hassal, Rhodes, Montgomery, Curtis, Davis, Nathan, Symington, Anderson, Palmer, Wilson, \V. Hargreaves, Matsori, Hawkes; Wilkin, and Murray-Aynsley. The minutes of the previous quarterly meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman announced that the first business was the election of members. The following gentlemen were elected by ballot: — Messrs G. Hurt, H. E. Alport, and W. T. L. fravers. The Chairman stated that there was no further business to be brought before the meeting; if any member had anything to bring forward he should be most happy to have the matter discussed. Mr Nathan wished to know whether the difficulty of passing goods at the Customs, through the insufficiency of the number of hands employed, had been brought under the notice of the chairman. The Chairman stated that the matter had been brought before him in a private capacity, but not as Chairman of that Chamber. Mr Nathan stated that great delay had occurred in the delivery of goods ex Mermaid. The work had been increased, and the number of men employed had been decreased. The Chairman stated that it was competent for any member to move a resolution regarding the matter. The new Collector, he considered, was acting strictly according to law, and of course he had no other course to pursue. Mr Matson considered that the time had arrived when the question whether the Custom-house should be at Lyttelton or Christchurch should be fully considered.

Mr Symington had felt great inconvenience from the present Customs arrangements, and he hoped that the matter brought forward by Mr Nathan would be fully considered.

Mr Nathan moved—" That the restrictions lately imposed on importers by the Customs authorities with regard to the examination of goods should be investigated by the committee of the Chamber, and that they should take the necessary steps in the matter." The motion was seconded by Mr Davis, and carried.

Mr Turner would like to hear some reason why the matter should be referred to the committee. The question was one of legislation, as the officer had only to cvrry out his duties; he could not see that any good would result from the resolution.

Mr Nathan said that it was quite obvious that the staff employed was too small to do the required work. If the matter was referred to the committee they would fully investigate the subject, and something tangible might be done.

The resolution was carried. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.