Chamber of Commerce

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5288, 3 August 1888, Page 3

Chamber of Commerce

Tho annual meeting was hold at 2 p.m. Present: Messrs M. R. Miller (in the chair)* Coleman, Hoadley, Kettle, McDittrmid, J. N. Williams, Willcocks, Lyndon, R. D. McLean, J. V. Brown, Jno. Craig, J. G. Kinross, and F. W. Williams. The Chairman said tho Chamber were greatly indebted to Messrs F. W. Williams and C. B. Hoadley, who had devoted much time to the preparation of tho report. He begged to move tho adoption of tho report. Mr F. W. Williams seconded the motion which was carried.

Mr Brown asked if it would not havo been an advantage to havo had a rough draft report iv tho hands of tho members before it had to be dealt, with.

The Chairman said he had tried to have that done, but did not succeed. Mr R. 1). McLean would have liked to have seen a comparison niiido between the different provinces. Auckland, for instance, had a population of six times that of Ha wire's Bay, while the exports from Auckland, including ita minerals, only exceeded those of Hawke's Bay by some £300,000. Tho Chairmau did not think that could bo done, because at tho end of the Government returns was "from other ports." Tho returns from the Sheep Department were very inaccurate. Tho total acreage agreed with that given by the SurveyorGeneriil, but the acreage of tho different provinces as given by the Sheep Department, in nearly every instance was different to that supplied by the Surveyor-General, In ten years they had doubled their exports in Hawke's Bay. Mr M'Lean : And that has not been done by any other district in the colony. Mr J. V. Brown moved that tho meetings of the Chamber iv future be quarterly instead of monthly, unless at the request of the Chairmau or any three members.

Mr Kinross seconded the motion which was curried.

The following office-bearers were elected : —Mr M. R. Miller, chairman ; Mr F. W. Williams, vice-chairman ; Messrs J. V. Brown, Coleman, Hoadley, Kettle, A. C. Lang, R. D. McLean, J. W. Neal, J. G. Kinross, McDiarmid, W. T. Irvine, P. S. McLean, and E. W. Knowlos were elected members of committee.

Messrs Williams, It. D. M'Lean, and Brown wore appointed a sub-committee to prepare monthly tables of exports and other information for tho uso of members.

Mr Banner was re-appointed auditor. The accounts were passed for payment, md tho meeting adjourned.