CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ANNUAL MEETING.

Evening Post, Volume XXIII, Issue 63, 17 March 1882, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce took plaoe at 3 o'oloek yesterday afternoon, and was attended by over 20 members, Mr. J. E. Nathan, the President, occupying the chair. The annual report, printed copies of which had been circulated among those present, was taken as read. It dealt with the subjects which had engaged the attention of the Chamber during the past year. Hegarding tho bankruptcy lawß, the committee rogretted the repeated efforts made during the year to induce the Government to prepare a moasnre for a thorough change in the character of the existing law had boon unsuccessful. They recommended that tho Government should be urged to have the entire buildings for postil and telegraph offices ereoted without delay, instead of only a portion, as at present, being proceeded with. Ti.e contraot between tho Government and the "Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company only now required printing and stamping. The report also dwelt with the queßtions of tho exportation of frozen meat and dairy produce, the decimal system, Supreme Court procedure, Amorican wool duties, the Harbour Board, &o. The Chairman, in a speech of considerable length, in which he took occasion to refer to the untiring exertions of Mr. James Wallace in connection with the Wol-lington-Manawatu Railway, then moved tho adoption of the report. This wa3 seconded by Mr. J. Sawcrs. In speaking to the motion, Mr. W. T. L. Travera said, with regard to the exportation of frozen meat, his impression was that the supply of meat in the colony had never been actually in excess of the local demand, so as to jiißtify tho establishment of works for that objeot. Mr. Dransfiold, the next spoakor, said he was not ose of those who were prepared to throw np their caps becauso the management ot the harbour and wharves had been handed over to a Harbour B oard. He had spoken most strongly against the proposal, and it was only at the last, when ho saw it was inevitable, that he gave in his adhesion to the scheme. Now he was at a loss to ccc what tho city had gained by the change. On the contrary, he believed the ratepayers had lost several thousands per annum. Hitherto, moreover, there had been quite onough accommodation. It was Irue a lot of now offices had boen made, and more salaries had to be paid, and there was a little more patronage in certain f pheres. Certain geutlcmen had been nominated members, and they had the management of tho wharf, and the wharfingers touched their capß as they passed down the wharf. If they asked, " Any storage on these goods, eh ?" they were told, " Oh, that belongs to one of the members of tho Harbour Board." There was a little favouritism, he thought, not only in love and war, but also in other matters. He dared say Captain Williams could tell them where favouritism was allowed a little bit. Captain Boss, a member of the Harbour Board, could not sit thoro and hoar remarks of this kind without speaking. He denied intoto that there was any favouritism, so far aB he was aware. Mr. J. R. Geoege considered that Mr. Dransfield shonld not make such statements without substantiating them. Had Mr. Dranafleld had his desire and been a member of the Harbour Board himself, perhaps he might not have felt called upon to make such remarks. Mr. l KANSffiELD — Be careful. Don't make assertions of that kind. Captain Williams hoped he would never ride the high horse as he had seen Mr. Dran6fie'd do. Dr. Newman said ho also failed to find a particle of benefit accruing from the sale of tho wharf. Mr. F. A. Krtjll regretted Mr. Dransfield had charged the Board with favouritism. Mr. Dransitibld requested that Mr. Krull's words might be taken down, as they were positively untrue, and Mr. Krall ought to be ashamed of himself for using ihem. The Chairman— Then, you did much worse. You hinted as much, and had not tho boldness to make a clean statement. Mr. Dkansfield — You are here as Chairman, to keep order ; not to make remarks like these. The Chairman— Then, I rule yon out of order. Other words fol'owed, and it waa eventually decided that Mr. Dransfield should have a proper opportunity of either verifying his statements or withdrawing them. The Chairman, in replying to tho motion, cast back in bis teeth the base imputation he had mado about the Harbour Board. Mr. Dransfield thereupon complained that tho Chairman wa3 taking an unfair advant&jte of him. This the Chairman denied, adding kd 'Would be unworthy of the position he occupied if he passed by in silence such remarksai these, without being substantiated. Mr. Dransfield — I ehall substantiate them. The motion for the adoption of tnd report was then carried. ' > < After some other business had been got through, Mr. KrtjiiL moved — ''That this Chamber address a letter to the Ha bonr Board, requesting them to make enquiries, regarding the charges made by Mr. Dransfield in his speech at to-day's meeting, that members of the Harbour Board enjoyed special and unfair consideration at the hands of tho wharf officials." Captain Hose seconded. After some discussion, Mr. Dransfield rose and said he charged the Harbour Board with having allowed Captain Williams to land coal at tho Railway Wharf without paying wharfage, at a time when they charged wharfage to other men who were similarly Bituated with himself as Government contractors. This had been a public scan 'al. He charged the Board with dereliction of duty * Ihe Chaikm*n said this wa3 a very different thing from what the meeting had previously understood Mr. Dransfield to mean. Mr. Dbansiield did notwant the Chairman's opinion. The Chairman, he said, ought to be the last to address the meeting. Captain Kobe explained there had been an action pending between Captain Williams and the Board in regard to tiiis matter, which had already been made p«blio through the Presa, and a ease was to be submitted to the Judges for their decision. Captain Williams thought Mr. Dr&nafield was originally driving at Bomething more than this, which, however, was a very nice loophole for escape. Mr. Kroll said if this was all the accusation Mr. Dransfield had to make, it wa3 a pity the resolution had been moved. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Krall should accept Mr. Dranafield's apology and i let the matter drop. . ,<,. Mr. Uransfield iadiguantly objected to apologise. 16 was here pointed out that Mr. Drapsfield had U3ed t l c word " storage," which clearly could not have referenoe to the case of Captain Williams. Mr. Geohge moved that the motion be amended by the addition thereto of a transcript of the shorthand writer's notes of the words actually used by Mr. Dransfield in his speech. Mr. Dransfield then asked if he would he in order in proposing a vote of thanks to the memberß of tho Harbour Board present for having so carefully vindicated themselves. (Laughter.) - Dr. Newman aleo eoquired-ithe would be in order in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Dransfield for the most interesting meeting of the Chamber he had ever attended. (Renewed laughter.) After more discussion, the motion as amended was put to the meeting. Seven voted ill its favour, and seven against it. The chairman exercised his right to declare it carried. The meeting next proceeded to the election of officers for the en3uipg year Mr. J. A. Goorgo was elected Presldentf-and Mr. J. B.

Harcourt Vice-President. Tho following committee was also elected :— Metiers. A. Baker, ,T. H. Bothune, T. Bnchannan, J. Dransflold, F. A. Krnll, W. IT. Lrvin, T. K. Maodonald, A. WoTavish, A. H. Sliles, J. E. Nathan, A. K. Newman, H. l?ose, J. Sawors, G. V. Shannon, and D. T. Stnart. Messrs. G. N. Aldrioh and T. Cooper were eleclod members. iJ " The proceedings terminated shortly before six o'clock. . , >t * /