CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1927, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING. The final meeting for the year of the Greymouth Chamber of Commeice was held yesterday, Mr. J. McLean presiding. There were also present Messrs W. R. Kettle, J. W. Greenslade, F. A. Kitchingbam, A. Naylor, T. E. Coates, P. C. Heaphy, L. B. Miller, E. McDonnell and J. E. Williams. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. Ring, W. B. Cunningham and J. S. Ross. The Secretary reported that he had forwarded a letter to the Waitaha Dairy Coy., expressing the Chamber s pleasure in the enterprise, and that while the Chamber could not commit members, the general opinion was that provided the prices were right it would support the Company. A donation of £5 from Mr. L. B. Miller was received, it being carried that Mr. Miller be thanked.

PORARARI RESERVE. Great satisfaction was expressed by the members of the Chamber that the proposed sale of the lease of the Porarari Reserve by auction had been withdrawn. At the last meeting of the Chamber, it had been decided to forward strong protests, but in reply the Minister of Lands had stated that he was of the opinion that the Chamber had made the protest without a full understanding of the position. Tlie reserve had been gazetted as a cattle reserve. The leasing would have the effect of placing the reserve under proper control, one of the conditions providing that the reserve should be securely enclosed with a stock proof fence.

In view of this letter, a reply was forwarded outlining eight reasons for the Chamber’s protest, one paragraph stating: “That the whole of the locality from Okorike Point to Bullock Creek, with the exception of Messrs P v oud and Olney’s farms, is scenic reserve, and one of the finest tourist resorts in the Dominion, but its claim would be destroyed if a cattle resting reserve were placed in the middle of it.’’ Subsequently Mr. F. A. Kitchingbam, Chairman of the Tourist Committee, forwarded a further letter to the Minister of Lands on behalf of the people of the district. Reporting on this, Mr. Kitchingbam said that the cattle driven down are very wild, and no fences would hold them. They would cause no end of trouble and danger. He had pointed out in the letter that the people of the district could not let their children out under such circumstances.

Following on this the Minister had forwarded a telegram, stating that instructions had been .issued to the Commissioner to withhold the sale. It was decided to thank the Minister, and to suggest that the site be made a recreation reserve.

The Secretary reported that he had forwarded copies of letters to the Commissioner of Lands at Nelson and Hokitika, the Conservator of Forests and the Commissioner of Forests, Wellington, with regard to the preservation of scenic resorts.

Mr. Kitchingbam said that the Department had been keen to preserve the scenery adjoining the main south road. This could be done without endangering the sawmilling industry. A letter had also been sent to the Borough Council urging it to.acquire a further portion of the Native Reserve, so as to enlarge King Domain, the Council having affirmed the principle at their meeting.

It was decided that the report be received and left on the table for members.

GREYMOUTH—WESTPORT ROAD. Mr. McLean reported that the Hon. K. S. Williams had forwarded notification that provision had been made on lhe Estimates for the Punakaikai and Porarari bridges on the Greymouth — Westport coast road. 'He wanted to sec the work completed by April, and wns very pleased that the Minister had seen lit to make some money available. ft. was moved and carried that the President’s action, Mr. McLean having originally brought, the matter to a head by interviewing the Minister in Wellington, be endorsed. “I would like to digress while on tliis question of estimates,” said Mr. McLean. He recalled that he had received a promise from the Chief Postmaster, Mr. McNamara, that plans and specifications for the additions to the Greymouth Post Office would be on hand shortly. So far these had not been received. He moved that Mr. McNamara be written to asking to give indication as to when the plans would be available, so that the work could lie put in hand.

VISIT OF THE HON. L. C. AMERY. Mr. Greenslade stated that the Borough. Council had decided to advertise, asking for the shop-people lo close between the hours of 3.45 and 4.30 on Monday, in recognition of the visit of the Hon. L. C. Amery, as they expected a large attendance at the civic reception. Their guest would be in Greymouth for but forty-five minutes. He hoped that as many members of the Chamber as possible would attend the address. He stated that lie had decided to impress upon Mr. Amery the prospects of the paper industry in the district, also the coal industry, and lo make mention of the cotton industry. These three matters could be touched on in regard to the immigration (juestion. They would mean absorbing at least a. thousand people into the district. "if the English people can supply the capital, wo can supply the wood,” said Mr. Greenslade, speaking about the paper industry. “What was most essential was to impress upon their guest the value and prospects of these industries.” Mr. McLean endorsed the remarks of Mr. Greenslade, and hoped that as many members as possible would be present at the address. Mr. Kettle pointed out that Mr. Greenslade could incorporate the three questions per form of an address, so as to impress upon Mr. Amery the possibilities of the district. “A good scheme,” said Mr. Greenslade. “We must give him something to chew over.”

PETROL TAX. “A certain amount of money must go out of the district,” said Mr Greenslade, with reference to the petrol tax, but he had been assured by the Minister that the Borough would receive special considerations under the provisions of the Bill. If such were correct. the main highway from Omoto to the south boundary would be kept in order by means of the petrol tax. Last year the Council had spent £l2OO on the road. ’ Mr. Heaphy: It wants further improvement. Mr. McLean: We have received no guarantee from the Government that the money will be equally distributed between both Islands. He contended that they should support other South

RAILWAY TIME-TABLE. “This letter is practically a reply from the Railway Department,” said Mr. McLean, in referring to the correspondence from the Minister of Railways, the Hon. J. G. Coates, regarding the alterations in the time-table between Reefton and Greymouth. The letter stated: “The alterations are being made for the general good of the Coast, and are designed partly to remove a long standing difficulty in connection with the wait at Stillwater between Reefton trains and East Coast Mail trains, and to give quicker transport between Reefton and Greymouth. Although the new time-table entails a reduction of twenty-two minutes in the time at Greymouth of passengers from the Reefton line visiting Greymouth for the day, the time on the journey has been reduced, and this should be a considerable convenience to passengers and should tend to develop the traffic to Greymouth. I feel that you are not correct in assuming that the removal of the District Offices from Greymouth, which was necessary as a measure of economy, has resulted in the neglect of West Coast interests. If you look back over recent years you will notice that in November, 1925, the afternoon train from Greymouth to Reefton occupied 3 hours 30 minutes on the journey. This was reduced to three hours in November of that year, and is now 2 hours 45 minutes. A similar reduction- lias been made in the time of the journey from Reefton to Greymouth.” Mr. McLean said that the whole matter had been referred to Mr. Chapman. He had made various suggestions, even the question of the two mintues on the train to Christchurch, but they had all been turned down. “The fact, is that Greymouth is being made subsidiary to the Christchurch service.” The Railway Department would do nothing. It was not a fair proposition. He had met settlers from Reefton who had stated that it was of little use coming to Greymouth, unless by car. They arrived in Greymouth about 12 o’clock and stayed till 2 o’clock. Shop assistants were away then, and they could not get the service essential. It was absurd for a Government Department to approach a Chamber as the Railway Department had done, and ask for recommendations and then ignore them. He had discussed the matter with Mr Chapman, but had got no further. He contended that they should draft a reply to the letter from the Minister of Railway, pointing out the injustice to Greymouth by the time-table. “They seem to be taking as much as possible from the West Coast,” said Mr. McLean. The timetable had unquestionably been framed so as to cope with the crossing trouble. The line should be duplicated or more crossings put up. The traffic from the West Coast had made a great difference to the Canterbury section. Everything was now referred to Canterbury, a®d was naturally viewed from the Canterbury viewpoint.

“I saw Mr. Chapman, when he was here,” said Mr. Greenslade, “and he said he had just had a hard time with Mr. McLean.” (Laughter). He stated that he had pointed out that the railways were encouraging serious competition from motor traffic. Mr. Chapman stated that the trains would be speeded up, but nothing had been done. In the meantime the timetable had been printed. Mr. Heaphy suggested that the Government. be urged to establish executive officials in the district. It was finally decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Secretary and Mr. McLean.