CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1827, 19 February 1869, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A special meeting of tbe committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, at two o'clock, for the purpose of fixing a day for the quarterly general meeting. Present —Messrs Murray- Aynsley (in the chair), J. E. Graham (hon. see). Hennah, Haeaall, Inglee, Nathan, Lane, Mateon, Bichardeon, and Anderson. The minutes of the last committee meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved that the quarterly meeting should be held on Thursday, the 25th instant, at three o'clock. The hon. Secretary read the following letter from the Hon. J. Hall :— Christohurch, February 6,1869. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ult, forwarding copy of a resolution passed by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce on the subject of the mail service between Australia and New Zealand, which resolution ie identical in terms with that adopted by the Chamber of Commerce of Dunedin. .'.''' I beg you will assure the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce that due regard will be paid to the expression of opinion thus adopted by it, and aJao that the mail route for which, tenders have been invited was not chosen by the Government until after very careful con< eideration. Some misapprehension appearing to exist as to the result which would be attained by the adoption of the two routes which have been made the subject of discussion, I beg leave to point out that the line recommended by the Chamber of Commerce would not deliver the English mail in Canter* bury any sooner, if so soon, as the one for which tenders have been invited j while in every other part of New Zealand, except Otago and Southland, such delivery would be seriously retarded by the adoption of the first mentioned route. Under these circumstances, and as financial considerations preclude the maintenance of two lines of subsidised steamers as formerly from Australia, the Government is of opinion that the single line to be established should prooeed direct to that point in New Zealand from, which mails for the several parts of the colony can be most rapidly and economically distributed. I believe it will be found upon a careful inquiry that Wellington is the port which j moat satisfactorily fulfils the above con-1 ditions. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your very obedient servant, John Hall. H. Murray-Aynsley, Esq., Chairman Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Cbristchurch. The meeting then adjourned.