CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3018, 29 March 1867, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The adjourned monthly and general annual meeting of the Chamber ol Commerce wa» held in the Council-room, Fort-sfcreet, at three o'clock, yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. J. A. Gilfillan (Chairman), T. Macfarhue, J. C. Firth, G. Webster, T. M. Clayton, J. McC. Clark, J. T. Gatlick, Walter Grahame, L. Bucholz. .... Mr. L W. Hajrrop, Secretary, read the minutes of last meeting, whioh were confirmed.

FINANCIAL POSITION OP THE CHAMBBR. The Secretary said it now became his duty, in accordance with a resolution passed last meeting, to state what he had done with reference to collecting subscriptions to the 31st of March, 1967. He had received subscriptions from thirty-two members belonging to the Chamber, amounting to £16 16«. Seven members would either pay at another time or were absent from their places of business. Six' of those who had originally subscribed declined again to subscribe. The amount that he computed he would receive after last meeting was £23 12s .6d. £16 16s. had been received; £3135. 6d. was receivable, and £3 3s. has to be deducted from parties who declined to subscribe any longer. The amount in bank on the 28th March was £29135. Id. The accounts to be paid for the quarter ending the 31st March, including rent, amounted to £23 Os. 6d., which, when authorised to be paid, would leave a balance in favour of the Chamber of £6 12s. 7d. He believed the accounts would be found to be correct; but if it were the intention of the Chamber that his services should be dispensed with, he. should wish the accounts to be audited. He plight state that, besides some of the members of the Chamber declining to continue subscribers, one member had refused to take the receipt. !He hkdredeiTed a memorandum 1 from Mr. Lusk, and he did riot know how to answer 1 it, as he had sent out the receipts in one uniform manner, and no «omplaints had «v,e* been previously made. H« thought it better to lay the memorandum before the meeting. It was as follows i — "Memo. —Relative to<rec»ipttendered(on account of Chamber of Commerce, as I explained to T., Macfarlane, Esq., I-do notf object to contribute pro rata to clear off liabilities if the Chamber of Commerce is at once wound up ; • but the receipt for the quarter's subscription is not a form in which I can recognise the claim. , i " KOBERT LUSK. ' "March 27,1867." Mr. Buoholz : He is very smart. Mr. Firth : Yes, a great deal too smart. Mr. Btjoholz : He ought to hare been a lawyer. (Laughter.) . I ' ' Mr. Webster : Is £23. Oi. 6d. *ll the liabilities ? Secretary : The whole..

HESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN. The CHAIRMAM 1 said, it became his duty now to resign his position as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and he could not do so without expressing his gratitude for the kincfoesd invariably shown him by the members during the period of eight years he' had- occupied the "chair, and the valu-> able assistance alwayß accorded to him, by the Chamber. He bad often , felt that they might have eleoted a person more able and worthy to occupy the position of Chairman— r» member of greater ability than he possessed • but as they had thought proper to place him in that office for so long a period, he might say, without the shadow of egotism, that he had always done the best he conjd to advance the interests of the Chamber in every possible way. (Hear, hear.) He had again to thank them sincerely for the honour they had conferred upon him in the past, and to hope that they would elect at his successor, for a period of either one or. three yean, a gentleman who would act for the benefit of the Chamber iv the future. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Macpaklane said he thought it was impossible for the Chamber to allow the remarks made by their esteemed Chairman to pass unnoticed. He thought that, after a gentleman had held the important office of Chairman for eight years, it was not the Chamber that was , to' be thanked by that gentleman, but the Chamber should acknowledge the Bervioes -rendered by their Chairman. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr, M.) had not been connected with the Chamber for eight years ; but since the time he became a member of it he had ever witnessed an earnest and anxious, desire on the part of the Chairman to promote the welfare of the Chamber; and certainly it was not his fault that it is not in a more piosperous position, and more active with regard to the work and objects for which it was established. (Hear-) The Chamber was under deep obligations to their Chairman . He (Mr. M.) felt that, the Chairman having expressed his desire to retire, the Chamber had lost one of its brightest ornaments. He knew the cause of retirement wwars r ill-health, — a cause which they, all, deeply regretted— and not from' a want of interest in the Chamber. (Hear, hear.) They must bow to the .decision expressed, and endeavour to select out of their number some one to occupy that position. He felt assured they would not get a person who would discharge the duties of the office in the same kindly, gentlemanly, and honourable way at . their present Chairman had done. (Hear, hear.) - The Chairman said that any good he had been able to accomplish had been by the cofdial assistance of the members of the Chamber. One great drawback seemed to be that all the members will not attend the meetings regularly to consider any business to be brought forward. There were many subjects that might be considered by the Chamber affecting their commercial and maritime interests, and he hoped, in future, the meetings would be more largely attended. He would again thank them for their kindness towards him. (Applause.) Mr. Firth said he entirely concurred in the remarks made by Mr. Maofarlane. He had himself experienced great pleasure in the intercourse he had, for very many years, witn Mr. Gilfillaa as Chairman of the Chamber ; and he (Mr. F.) was only sorry that he was unable to continue the position of Chairman. He was also sorry that his efforts had not been better appreciated by the members of the Chamber for the last year. He supposed that the apathy that bad undoubtedly pervaded the Chamber of Commerce in this city was mainly to be accounted for by the extraordinary circumstances under which the commercial community, and indeed the province generally, have been placed. After 'the great exertions that were made by all parties during the war, there has naturally followed a period of collapse. Every interest in the province hag suffered more or less, and a great many faults have been found with the want of public spirit which has been manifested by, the commercial and other bodies. It appeared to him that a good deal of those remarks were uncalled for. If people would set to work to . repair damage?, instead of grumbling so much at the damage done, it would be much better. (Hear, hear.) , It would appear that we are very much like a ship in a storm ; we have suffered a very great deal of damage, and we are not in a very strong position at present in any respect. It does not .follow, however, that we are to lose all spirit of enterprise ; ' by no means. However dark things may appear at present, and however great the difficulties that surround us on every hand, with a little time, energy,. firmness, patience, and pluck— the usual characteristics of Englishmen — he felt certain things" would work round, and by-and-by they would 1 have better times, 'brighter days, and happy homes, and the; people" would be in better spirits J than' at present. It was' not necessary that institution? jlike the Chamber of Commerce should be allowed'to'go down for. want of- support, Those who .have taken •an interest in' the Chamber and business in the city were not prepared to see the Chamber go down. They were determined at' any rate to keep a nucleus in existence, if nothing more. So soon as they had repaired the damages' and were able to look up a little, they would be prepared to exert themselves on behalf of the publio generally, as they had done heretofore. ' He should, therefore, propose the election of the-fol-lowing members as officers of the Chamber for this ,year, commencing 28th March:— David Nathan, Esq., Chairman; Thomas Macfairlaue, Deputy-Chair-man. Committee, Messrs. J. McC. Clark (treasurer), W. C. Daldy, J. C. Firth, Walter Grahame, and Henry Isaacs. Mr. BtCHOtz, in seconding the resolution, said he perfectly agreed with the last speaker, that they should not allow the Chamber to go down. No doubt the present state of depression had an effect in causing the irregular attendance of members, as the time of business men was necessarily much engrossed in attending to their own affairs. The members would find it' to be to their advantage to attend the meetings of, the Chamber regularly, and he hoped more interest would be taken in the institution in 'future. (Hear.)< - Mr; Macfablane : We wanta Secretary yet. Mr. Firth requested Mr. Walter Grahame to act; ai Hon. Secretary. Mr. Grahams declined, aa he could not give the. time required to the duties. Mr. Uabuok wm then consulted, and he seemed to hesitate accepting the 'office. Mr. Clahk assured him there would not be muoh work' to do; „ ' < ' ! Mr. GAbliok said he had no 'objection; 'to act temporarily. . r , ,"',.,.' Mr. Firth then added Mr. Gafliek's name to the resolution M Honorary Secretary.

Mr. Wbbstjsr asked if 'the future Secretary vras to be a paid offioer. Mr. Macfar&anb : No. The resolution was unanimously oarried. , Mr. MaofabliAHß said it was necessary that proper steps should' be taken to relieve Mr. Harrop , of his present- position, and to take the books, &c, off his hands. He would therefore more:-— "1. That the Secretary, Mr. Harrop, be requested to pay off all present liabilities »t once. 2. That the. Treasurer and Secretary be requested to audit the ! accounts, and receive the books and other properties of the Chamber from Mr. Harrop, late Secretary^' Mr, Firth seconded the motion. Mr. Harrop said there was a little inaccuracy in the wording of the first part of the resolution, which he would point out. It requested him to pay off the present liabilities at once, which he could not do without getting the signature of the late Treasurer. The consequence was that all chequed at present issued, payable for and on behalf of the Chamber, have to be signed by the Treasurer and likewise by the Secretary for the time being. He might state that he should take steps to have cheques signed, for the liabilities rendered to tha Chamber at the present meeting, by the late Treasurer, Mr. Nathan, and by himself as late Secretary, so as to have those liabilities discharged. „ , Mr. Fieth : You could get over that difficulty by giving noticejto the bankthat a new Secretary and Treasurer have been appointed. Mr. Olabk : It would be better to wind up the whole of the financial affairs' by the end of the. month. , j Mr. FIRTH then substituted the following, in lieu of the first part of the resolution:— "That Mr. Bfathan and Mr. Harrop be authorised , to diacharge all outstanding accounts against tihe Chamber." . ! ■ The resolution, as amended, was then put, ahd unanimously oarried. ■ . . . > Mr. Webster said the Chamber should express their great obligations to Mr. Harrop, Secretary, ior the efficient "and satisfactory manner in which he had discharged the duties of, his office. He (Mr. W.) was sure they wouW, all agree with him inlaying,' that their Secretary tad 'done everything in his power to get meeting* of the Chamber, and to further its interests. He thought 'it was, therefore, th< sir duty to award him » vote of thanks for the satisfo ctory manner in which he had conducted the business of the Chamber during his tenure of office.- Heh id much pleasure in moving, that the best thanks of the meeting should be tendered to Mr« Harrop l|or the ztal and ability with which he had discharged the duties of Secretary. Mr. W. Grahams seconded the resolution. Mr.l Clark said it was scarcely necessary to say a word in support of this resolution, as every gentfe-' man present must know the efficient manner in which their late Secretary had conducted the duties. (Hear.) Whether as regards conducting the oorr«js. pondence of the Chamber, recording the minutes of their meetings, or keeping the books and accounts, lie (Mr. 0.) thought that everyone who had anything to do with the Chamber must be satisfied that the work had been Well done. (Hear, hear). i The Chairman said he could endorse everything that had been said regarding their late Secretary. He had been a faithful, attentive, and kind serrant to the Chamber. (Hear.) j The resolution vrai carried unanimously. , The Secretary said he had to thank them cordially ferthe kind way in which they had looked upon his humble endeavours in retiring from tie field of bis late employment as their Secretary. During the whole of the period in which he held thit office from 1563 or 1864 — he had endeavoured in his quiet way to gather them together at their monthly meetings. (Hear.) Jf hs had been unsuccessful in his endeavours it was not his fault. If he had not been able to take a prominent parb in the dipcussions, he had listened with great pleasure and delight to any discussion beneficial to the commercial or maritime interests of the province. In retiring he might say that the cordial vote of thanks they had accorded him would be treasured' up in his remembrance. He felt that as far as he was able he had done his duty faithfully. (Hear, hear.) If he had not been able to give a stimulus to the Chamber of Commerce, aqd if there had existed a latent spirit' of apathy in the city, he was not accountable for it. He might saY that he had not left to his in-coming successor, Mr. Garlick, the Chamber of Commerce in debt. However depressed the times may have been, he left office without any impecuniosity standing orer the books of the Chamber. (Hear.) He was happy to say the Chamber was clear of debt. The accounts would speak for themselves, and he believed theje would be a balance of £6 12s. 7d. after paying off the quarterly liabilities. Whether they existed as a Chamber or Club for the benefit of the commercial and maritime interests of the city, he had the satisfaction of knowing that they would start de now with a balance in their favour. He had again to thank them for their good opinion and the kindness he had received from them. The meeting then separated.