CHAMBER of COMMERCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1925, Page 6

CHAMBER of COMMERCE

LAST EVENING’S MEETING The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce met last evening; present: Messrs W. R. Kettle (Chairman), T. Topliss, F. A. Kitchingham, J. McLean and F. J. Spora. An apology for absence was received from Mr. J. Greenslade. “I suppose he had too big a meeting at the Borough Council last night," remarked the Chairman, smilingly. q ~ The Chairman referred to the death of Mr. Massey, and stated that he had sent a message of sympathy to Mrs. Massey on behalf of the Chamber. That message had been acknowledged. He also attended the funeral. He re--quested the members present to rise as a token of respect to the late Prime Minister. The Chairman added that he had sent a letter of congratulation to the new .Prime Minister (Hon. J. ,G. Coates). On the motion of Mr. McLean, seconded by Mr. Kitchingham, the Chairman’s action was approved. The Chairman said that a resolution was, passed by the Chamber some time ago asking for £lO to be spent at the “blowholes” at Punakaiki. Through the assistance of Mr. Spora the grant had been secured. On his motion, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Spora for his assistance. . Referring to the small attendance at the meeting, the Chairman said he thought it would be better to revert to the practice of holding meetings in the afternoon. It was believed when the meetings were changed to evenings that members would attend better, but it did not seem to have had the desired effect. He moved that in future meetings be held at 4 p.m. on th§® second Friday in each month. In seconding the motion, Mr. McLean said that he was previously averse from evening meetings although a number of members thought an attendance would result. Their actions did not prove their words; they had promised to attend, but had not done so. The motion was carried. “The attendance cannot get much worse,” said Mr. Topliss, optimistically. Mr. McLean, remarked that the Chairman was very brave to attend the meeting on such a cold night. Mr. J. Perring wrote asking the Chamber to use its influence with the Government .to further the settlement of the waste lands in the Kumara district. The chief problem confronting the settlers was that of drainage, and £5OO would assist considerably. Exhibits at the recent Show had proved the value of the land, when properly drained. The Chairman said that the matter had been previously discussed and an application made to the Government; but there had been no result. Ho moved that Mr. Perring’s letter be sent on to the Minister of Agriculture,

asking him to assist. The motion was carried. The New Zealand Publicity Board wrote stating that the Government, realising the desirability and necessity of advertising the Dominion overseas, had ■appointed the Board, comprising representatives of the Railway, Tourist and Publicity Departments, to deal with the subject. The Board 'expressed its willingness to assist and co-operate with local associations any way, and invited suggestions. In answer to the Chairman, Mr. Spora said . nothing had been done in the matter so far. , “It seems rather ' vague," said Mr. McLean. The Chairman moved that the letter be handed to Mr. Spora for attention. Mr. Kitchingham said that apparently assistance . was required in the publication of a booklet. So far as he could see, there was not much chance of a pamphlet being published locally. He suggested that Mr. Spora be asked to bring the Chamber’s literature up to date. The Chairman’s motion was altered to provide that the letter be “received,” and it was carried. I . A request for literature dealing with the district, for free distribution at the Dunedin Exhibition, was made by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. The letter had been addressed to the “Tourist League.” “This, I take it, should be sent along to Mr. D; J. Evans, the secretary of the Exhibition Committee,” said the Chairman.

Mr. McLean said that the Dunedin Exhibition would be a splendid advertising medium for the Coast. He suggested that the matter be left in the hands of Mr. Spora. “We have often complained that Hokitika gets more attention in the tourist business than the Grey district,” added Mr. McLean. “Now we have an opportunity to boost our own district in particular.” He suggested that Mr. Spora look into- the matter and report to the next meeting of the Chamber. Mr. McLean’s suggestion was adopted.

The Buller Progress League wrote requesting support in the effort to secure the early completion of the Westport-Greymouth Road; also the necessity, of having the Fox River bridge put>in hand at once. “I assume that a copy of this circular has been sent to the Greymouth Borough Council,” said the Chairman. “We have always advocated the completion of this work, and Mr. Coates has promised that it will be done. It is only a question of funds. I do not think we can do any more in the matter.”

Mr. Kitchingham said that the Borough Council had decided to support the completion of the road, without reference to any particular part of the work. It might be as well if the Chamber brought the matter under the notice of the Minister again. The Buller people were sending a deputation to interview the Minister at Wellington. A push from the Greymouth end might have some effect. He moved that representations be again made to the Minister. The motion was seconded by Mr.

McLean and carried. On behalf of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (Mr. N. Elmslie), now visiting England, a request was made by the Assistant Commissioner (Mr. AV. AV. Lambie) for information regarding commodities handled by the’ more important houses in the district. “I do not know that we can do anything in the matter,” said the Chairman. On his motion, the letter was received.

The Acting-District Traffic Manager notified an alteration in the timetable on the line on Saturdays.

In moving that the letter be received, the Chairman said he supposed the alteration was for the convenience of the “sports.”

Mr. Spora stated that it was made

on account of the Rugby matches, to enable them to start earlier.

“I would like to have seen a larger attendance here this evening,” said the Chairman. “I do not know whether we should bring up the question of native reserves again. We have tried to get a better tenure a good many times, but have not yet been successful. Last year we managed to get so far as to have a Bill prepared, but the Bill did not get through. I think it would be as well to get the Reserves Committee to bring up a report for next meeting. The time is opportune to get the Minister of Native Affairs (Mr. Coates) to meet the Chamber in some way.”

Mr. McLean agreed with the Chairman. The matter should not be allowed to die down. There would never be any great improvement in the- town under the present leases. The Chairman said he would like to congratulate the Borough Council upon the work it was doing. There seemed to be a great improvement in the town. The Council was doing a lot of work, and deserved credit for it. He also noticed that the Harbour Board was about to spend a lot of money, and that would also improve the town considerably, Messrs Kitchingham and McLean, members of the Council and Board respectively, were present; he knew they were modest and ' did not like bouquets, still they were entitled to credit. Returning thanks on behalf of the Harbour Board, Mr. McLean said that body was doing its utmost to make for the progress of the district. Referring to the affairs of the Chamber, he said it was rather disappointing to see such a small attendance. The Chairman took a great • interest in the Chamber of Commerce, and he had pleasure in moving a hearty vote of thanks to him. The motion was carried.

Mr. Kitchingham briefly returned thanks on behalf of the Borough Council.