LATE MR W. DEVENISH MEARES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17907, 30 October 1923, Page 11

LATE MR W. DEVENISH MEARES.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APPRECIATION. Before the business "on the agenda paper was taken at last night's meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the actingpresident (Mr Stronach Paterson) referred to the death, since the previous meeting, of Mr W. Devenish Meares, a life member of the Chamber, and called upon Mr J. A. Frostick, the oldest member of «the Council, to submit a motion.

Mr _ Frostick moved': "That this Council place on record its appreciation of the valued services rendered to the Chamber by the late Mr W. D. Meares. For more than thirty years he was one of the most active members of the Council, and during iong periods of severe depression he never once lost his interest in the work of the Chamber. His term of office ns president of fhe Chamber was marked with distinctive ability. He was always ready to take his full share of work fpr the development of the city. This Chamber owes a debt of gratitude to hia memory for faithful services. A few years ago he was elected the first life member —the highest honour within the power of the Chamber to bestow —and whatever the future may bring, Mr W. D. Meares will always be re- J membered as one of the pioneers of the commercial activities of Canterbury; It is further proposed that a letter of sympathy and condolence be sent to the relatives with a copy of the resolution now proposed to be placed on the records of the Chamber." Mr Frostick said that he did not think it required anything more to ensure the adoption of the motion and its inclusion in the records of the Chamber. Mr Meares had been very consistent; he was scarcely ever absent from his duties if he were in town. They might not have always agreed with the views expressed by the late member —and that applied to them all—but they could say that he was a .first-class citizen and a very prominent and useful member of the Chamber.

Mr P. Davidson seconded, and eulogised Mr Meares for the keen interest he took in the matters that came before the Chamber. The motion was agreed to, members standing.