CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 799, 9 February 1909, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OF MEMBERS. A meeting of the members of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night. Present— Messrs H. Tolley (President), J. Aylmer, J. Cobbe, J. Auld, R. W. Neal, J. \. Bramwell, A. G. Carty, D. Pryde, W. Clarkson, H. Mclntyre, A. Williamson, S. Andrews. CORRESPONDENCE. The following letters were read: — From Mr C. C. Halliday, Feilding Postmaster, stating the Department would attend to the matter of the supply of telephone subscribers' lists without delay. — Received with thanks. From the Technical School Committee, asking for the appointment to the Committee of a representative of the Chamber. From the Secretary Wellington Chamber of Commerce, stating, in reply to a letter, that the members of the Wellington Chamber were not aware of the existence of different rates of charge for bank exchange, and would be glad to receive instances of the differences. From tho Secretary Auckland Chamber of Commerce, stating that the charge made by the Auckland bnnk.s for inland exchango was at the iv»tt* of 2s 6d -per cent, within the province, and 5s per cent, on tho otln?r places in the dominion. So far as the Auckland office knew, these lrerp the prevailing rates throughout tho dominion. From the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, on the same subject, suggesting that the Feilding Chamber give some specific instances arising in the district to enable the Committee to form a better opinion on the subject. The practice in Christchurch was to charge J per cent, with a maximum of £2 10s. From the Department of Trade and Customs. Wellington, with reference to the signing of importers' declarations of value, stating that the difficulty with regard to Feilding had been met by an arrangement with the Post Office Department- that, in the absence of the Postmaster, the officer next in rank is to witness declarations. From Mrs Morton, wife of the Feilding Railway Stationmaster, acknowledging the Chamber's of sympathy with Mr Morton. From the Secretary Wellington Firo Underwriters' Association, with j reference to insurance rates in Feilding. stating that the former communications on the subject were duly forwarded to tho Council of New ZeaTaml Fire Underwriters, but as that body did not meet till March or April next, it might be some time before a definite answer could be sent. Regarding the rates of exchange. Mr Carty suggested the setting np of a sub-committee to gather information. Mr Cobbo said firms doing large business with the banks got concessions which smaller firms did not. Mr Bramwell proposed that the letters bo received and that the matter be allowed to drop. Ho supported I Mr Cobbe's view of the matter. Mr H. Mclntyro seconded the motion. Mr Carty proposed an amendment that a Committee of tho Chamber ho j not up to go further- into the matter. and supply tbe information required by the largo Chamber. Seconded by Mr Pryde: The amendment, was lost and the motion carried. The President referred to charges for use of telephone bureaux, saying an endeavour was sometimes made to charge non-subscribers' rates to subscribers when using the services in other towns. Ho had gone into the matter, and found that any subscriber in the Wellington postal district could use the telephone in any exchange in that district at subscribers' rates. The President reported on the work done by the Advertising Committee, saying tho holidays had interfered somewhat with their work. The Committee had decided on having an iThistratcd pamphlet, if the cost of publishing could be met. Mr N. Gorton had suggested the preparation of a group of photographs, framed, and place 1 on the railway stations served by the Main Trunk trains. Regarding the booklet, it was thought the stockbreeders would assist financially in its publication. Mr Clarkson favoured the booklet, pointing out that tho cost might be reduced by obtaining advertisements. The booklets could also be sent to the English shipping offices, to catch the eye- of intending colonists. Mr Neal favoured newspaper advertising regularly. Mr Mclntyre said they should collect information regarding the products of the district, the area of valuable country of which the town is the centre, the educational activity, and other matters relative to the importance of the town. Mr S. Andrew spoke strongly in favour of the bookle.t as against the newspaper advertising. Mr Carty proposed that a Committee comprising the President and i M<«srs W. F. Bramwell and G. Spence \ be set up to make representations to '.have a passenger car attached to tho goods train leaving Feilding about 4 p.m. daily, for the convenience of Thnmytlibrpe residents. Seconded by Mr Auld, and carried. The President stated he. had. spoken to Mr D .H. Guthrie 'regarding the appointment of a Coroner for Fi'.lcling. and that gentleman had promised to advance the matter as much as possible.