NAPIER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3784, 31 August 1883, Page 4

NAPIER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The quart' Chamber ■ onr .orly meeting of the Napier !° ' A Commerce was hold yesterday .aon. Present.—Messrs J. CI-. Kinross ..airman), T. Tunner, J. M'Vav, E. V r - Knowlos, E. Lyndon, JL R. .H. Harditu;-, G. T5. 'Winter, J. W. N..-al, R. 11 IlolVlur, P. S. M'Loiin, K. Wliite, 11. Willianw, and J. 11. Coloimm. COJDIITTEK'S KEI'OKT. The followiu -J report from the connnittoo Wiis read: — Your committee beg to submit their report for tho past quarter, embracing the following subjects:—

North Island Trunk Kaihvay.—lt will be remembered that at the annual meeting, held on the 31st of May last, considerable discussion took place regarding the route for tho northern trunk railway. It was known that surveys of several routes projected by the Government were in course of progress, and that none of these were marked out to traverse any portion of Hawke's Bay. It was felt, therefore, in view of the possibility of the direction of line being determined during the present session, aiid as the report on the survey of the route advocated by this Chamber could not by any manner of means be completed in time to bo submitted for the consideration of the House, that the Chamber should at onco take action to assert the claims of this province to substantially participate in the benefits to be derived from a trunk line through a portion of it coming into Hawke's Bay. How important a share this province, with its small line of 70 miles of railway, contributes to tho maintenance of tho public credit of tho colony us regards its productive railway works, especially those of the North Island, may bo gathered from the subjoined table: —■ Cost of Rito Lines. Miles Conpttr.c-Netßc-oflnto-Open. tion. vonuo. rc3t, Kawakaw.i .. Open) £ £■£s. d. WhiuiKiirei-Xamo 7-1193,470 28,330 2 / 4 Auckland ..13!)) Now Plymouth.. 51 292,453 3,003 1 7 0 Wuneanui .. 115 804 58S 11 f>3l! 18 7 WelliiiL-ton .. (>!> 704 SiH 12,!W0 113 10 Napier .. .. 70 410 290 11,.'f>3 30 6

451 £3 474.032 £71,873 Equal to £2 Is liJ per cent. The following remarkable facts arc to Ijo deduced from the above figures:—(l.) That out of a total expenditure of nearly three and a half millions sterling on opened lines in the North Island, of which less than half ji million (C 110,21)9 or 12 per cent.) have been expended on the Napier line, this province contributes the large proportion of over twenty per cent. (20.1- per cent.) of tho total net railway revenue of this island, thus enabling- the Government to declare that the net railway returns of the North Island for the past financial year are £2 Is Id per cent. (2.) That taking the net returns of the Auckland, Napier, and Wellington railways, as against tho New Plymouth and Wanganui lines, indisputable proofs are afforded by tho foregoingtable as to the superior utility mid revenue producing capacity of inland lines in comparison with a coastal one, such as tho lines from Foxton to Now Plymouth is, and it is to bo remembered that this comparison i.s not materially atfected oven after making allowances for tho diminution to traffic and revenue on tho Wanganui lino caused by the June, ISS2, floods—by which tho Napier section also suffered, causing a higher rate of expenditure —nor by the excess distance covered by the inland lines. (3.) That the returnsgo to show that a central trunk line, passing through districts capable of settlement, and fed by branches from outlying districts to tho oast and west, would be the most productive of revenue, and would be tho most conducive to tho future prosperity of the North Island. The route which tho trunk lino is to take will be decided next session, and it is abundantly clear from tho above that the claims of tho people of Ilawke's Bay to have a portion of tho line traversing their province, are very great, so much so that when taken in conjunction with the impending erection of improved extensive harbor works at Napier, tho natural outlet for a very large scope of magnificent country, they must commend themselves to the highest consideration of Parliament, when the question of tho adoption of a route comes before it. Four exploratory surveys are now being proceeded with, three projected by the Government, and one undertaken at tho instance of this Chamber. Of the three Government surveys, two are on tho line between To Awamutu and Taranaki, one from Te Awamutu .southwards to a point on the Mokuu river, and thence to a favorable point of junction with the Patea-Waitara railway the other from Te Awamutu by the most eligible route to tho country lying west of Lake Taupo, thence southwards by a route to be determined, striking the Foxton-Patca lino of railway at tho most favorable point of junction ; the third is on a lino starting from near Marton or Fielding and proceeding nortlnvard; while the fourth, reommended by this Chamber, is the line .startingTom a point on the Napier railway, near frapier northwards in tho direction of Naupo, the principal feature in this line being tho liipia vulloy. A deviation of this latter route has been suggested to your committee by a competent authority, and ■which is described to be a better line than thfit via the I'ipia, viz., from tho junction of the Mohaka with tho Eipia to the junction of the Taharua, and also the Taharua valley to the Taupo plains, this line admitting of much easier gradients. From a communication recently received from Mr Button, your committee learn that the Government have issued instructions for the survey of this additional route. Napier Railway Station and Goods Shed. —The endeavors of your committee and their proceedings in connection therewith to obtain from tho Government an allocation of funds suflicient for the erection of a new station for Napier, have been so recently under the notice of members that little remains to lie added to what i.s already known. Mr Tanner, a member of your committee, doubting tho success of the Chiimliur's more -written representations urging as strongly as possible the necessity that existed for a new building, went expressly overland to "Wellington to personally represent the claims of the people of Napier in the matter. A deputation of influential residents of Ilawke's Bay, then in Wellington, including the members of tho district, waited on the lion. Mr Johnston, the result of which was that hopes were held out that a new building, with certain modifications in the proposed plan, would bo erected. Since then, however, the Government appear to have resolved not to carry this out, and Mr Sutton, by recent advices to your committee confirms tho decision of tho Government to this effect, and adds that the work of providing additional accommodation will at once be proceeded with. Tho request for the removal of the goods shod has also been refused on tho ground that it would bo very prejudicial to tho convenient working of tho line, and that it would entail considerable alteration in tho laying out of the station grounds. While regretting tho result of their representations to the Government, your committee have to express their sense of indebtedness to Mr Tanner unci tho other members of the deputation for their exertions on behalf of tho Chamber. Timber Carriage.—lt having been brought under the notice of the committee that a largo reduction in-freight, 2o per cent., had been made in the carriage of timber on the Wanganui,Foxton, and Welllington lines for shipment direct to Australian ports representations were made to the Government, pointing out that the existence of such a differential rate was prejudicial to tho interests of tho Haw-millers of Hawko's Bay, and urging that a similar concession be made to the Napier-Woodvillc line. This, your committee are glad to any, has teen granted by Government. Amended Bankruptcy Law. —It must bo a source of satisfaction to all classes of the mercantile community that this vexed question has at last met with practical legislation, and that a new Bankruptcy Bill has now been passed by both Houses. Tho measure is a complete reversal of tho old order of procedure, tho principal change being the vesting of insolvent estates in tho hands of official assignees, and it was this principle in its entirety that the Chamber objected to, believing that it would have tho effect of too much subordinating the control of the creditors to that of the official assignee. This has been guarded against in tho English bill by placing that official under the general authority of tho Board of Trade. As regards tho other provisions of the bill, your committee are glad to notice that many of the recommendations put forward by this Chamber have been deemed of Mich importance as to be incorporated in the new bill. Mr Holder moved, and Mr Harding seconded, the adoption of tho report. Mr Miller remarked upon the fact that tho more important question of pushing on with the extension of the lino was lost sight

of in the anxiety to have an improved station at Napior. The extension appeared to be purposely retarded. There was far more activity displayed in pushing it on from the Wellington side.

iVlr Tannor said that when he was in 'Wellington he had pressed the matter upon tho Minister for Public Works, and Mr Johnston had assured him that directly the surveys came in tenders would be invited for the work, and that there would be no delay on his part. Mr MoYay thought that pressure of a diß'LTont kind than that brought to bear by passing resolutions in ihc Chamber of Commerce was required to effect tho desired end. Political influence was needed, and in that respect this district was deficient, while Wellington had plenty of it.

Mr McLean suggested a change of members as the only remedy. The Ghnirman pointed put that Mr Miller was in error in stating that the Chamber had neglected the question of pushing on the completion of the line. The report Avas then adopted. THE NORTHERN TRUNK RAILWAY.

Mr Sutton, M.H.R., wrote stating that lie h.'icT waited upon tlic Minister for Public Works respecting the route for the northern trunk railway suggested by tlio Chamber, and that in his (Mr Sutton's) presence, the Minister had given directions to Mr Williams to survey that route. NAPIER RAILWAY STATION. Letters were received from Messrs F. Sutton and W. C. Smith, M.II.R.'s, .statin" , that their interviews with the Minister for Public Works concerning the removal of the goods shed at Napier, and the erection of a new railway station, had been fruitless.

Mr Neal said it was important that there should be some better was of access to the goods shed than at present existed. Ho would move, " That the Minister for Public Works bo written to and asked that Stam-ford-street be opened so as to give additional access to the present goods shed."

Mr Williams seconded tho motion.

After some discussion, in the course of which it was stated that there were private interests to serve in the matter, Mr Ncal withdrew his motion in favor of an amendment by Mr Holder that Messrs Knowles, "Williams, and McYay be appointed to report on what, streets should be opened to afford access to tho goods shed.

Mr Holder's amendment was carried without dissent. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Neal moved, "That tho Minister for Public Works be asked to arrange that a Saturday evening late train bo run from Napier to Waipukurau, which this Chamber is of opinion has now become necessary for the convenience of country and town residents."' —The motion was seconded by Mr Coleman and carried.

On the motion of Mr Neal, seconded by Mr Winter, it was resolved, '' That a cordial vote of thanks be passed to the members of the district, Messrs Buchanan, Sutton, and Smith, for their attention to the representations of this Chamber."

Mr Knowles moved, " That the Government be urged to push forward that section of the Napier-Woodvillc railway trunk line connecting Makatoku with Woodville, as the extension will add considerably to the profitable working of tho line."—The motion was seconded by Mr Holder and carried. Mr Shrimpton was unanimously elected a member of the Chamber.

It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Knowles, seconded by Mr Holder, "That the Government bo asked to reconsider the subject of at Once opening the finished portion of tho line to Matainau, which would be a great public convenience, and enable the journey to bo made from Napier to Wanganui in. one day." Mr Miller, who had previously withdrawn from the Chamber, left a memo, on tho table recording his opinion that sufficient prominence was not given to the commercial interests of the port in the Press Association telegrams forwarded from Napier.

Mr Knowles said Mr Miller might, understand his own particular line of business very well, but probably he knew less about Press Association work, and could scarcely besaid to occupy a position to enable him to dictate what the agents of the Association should telegraph and what they should not. The tastes of the people had to be consulted in the first instance ; however, if Mr Miller was willing to give a guarantee that ho would pay for all commercial telegrams returned to the agent he (Mr Knowles) had no doubt suflicient would bo sent to satisfiy Mr Miller or anyone else. After some furthcrobservations from other gentlemen t>; the effect that Napier was poorly represented in tho matter of Press Association telegrams to other towns in tho colony, the matter was allowed to drop.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.