PAPAKURA INTERESTS.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 20, 19 February 1934, Page 8 (Supplement)

PAPAKURA INTERESTS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. The eighth annual meeting of the Papakura Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday, when there were present: Messrs F. J. Lound (president), A. Willis, J. Muir, W. H. Walters. B. C. Capenter, W. A. Pavitt, C. S. Beechey, B. Atkinson (stationmaster), D. W. Graham (postmaster), the Rev. W. C. Wood and Mr G. F. McDonald (secretary). The following report was submitted by the council, setting out the activities for the year which ended on December 31: —

“The membership of the chamber stands at 34, of which one is a life member and four are honorary members. One new member was elected during the year. Eleven meetings were held during 1933 and the average attendance was 10. Judged by previous years, this may be taken as a most satisfactory attendance.

Conferences of Chambers.

“The usual conferences of Franklin chambers were held, one at Pokeno and the other at Pukelcohe. Our delegates attended the Pukelcohe conference. A feature of the year’s activities was the number of papers read and addresses given, the subjects dealt with being: town planning, Douglas credit, the financial position, fire insurance, and the flax industry. The chamber is greatly indebted to those who gave addresses referred to. During the year, the chamber has interested itself in bureaux calls after 5 p.m.; a second stamp vending machine: bus services to Papakura; sugar beet industry; wheat control board; development of idle lands. All these matters were freely discussed at the different meetings, and appropriate action taken. The council has again to record its appreciation of the services of its honorary auditor, Mr G. C. Hobson, for his audit of the accounts.”

The report was adopted. The auditor’s report was submitted to the meeting, it disclosing a loss for the year of £3 19s 7d. Outstanding subscriptions amounted to £9. The report was adopted on the motion of the president, seconded by Mr Beechey. The secretary, in a very careful review of the financial position, outlined what he considered was necessary to carry on the chamber’s work successfully. At present he said they had 34 members. The. total income was £l4 10s. Of the £9 due in subscriptions, what proportion of this was recoverable he was not prepared to state. He did not favour raising the subscription. as any further increase would tend to drive away members. The chamber in 1931 had a balance of £ls; 1932. £l4 15s sd: 1933. £1 6s 6d: 1934. debit balance of £3 19s 7d, thus showing the gradual loss sustained. Economy could be effected by giving up membership with the Associated Chambers, but if that occurred the chamber would have no footing at all and would simply become purely a local body. By a very careful administration, he expressed the opinion that the minimum cost of running the chamber would be £9 or £lO a year.

The president stated that the only way to help the chamber along was by an increase in membership. The election of officers did not take place, it being adjourned until next month.