COMMERCE TRAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 January 1929, Page 5

COMMERCE TRAIN

GREYMOUTH ARRANGEMENTS

To secure first-hand information of districts and industries, and to- meet commercial committees in the various centres. This is the main object of the Canterbury business men who will tour the South Island by special train in March, as defined by Mr C. E. Barnes, Railways Passenger Agent for the South Island, when he addressed a special meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. The meeting was convened with the object of making arrangements for the entertainment of the visitors during their stay in Greymouth, where they will arrive about midnight on Thursday, March 14. Mr F. A. Kitchingham presided, and there were also present Messrs J. W. Greenslade (Mayor), J. M. Bunt, J. Ring, L. B. Miller, E. /McDonnell, A. Naplor, W. H. Parfitt and J. W. CalwellMr Barnes stated that approximately seyenty business men would make the trip, representing the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Progress League, and Manufacturers’ Associa-

tion. A similar train hail been run in the Auckland district, and its success had already inspired the Canterbury undertaking. The passengers would sleep on the train throughout the tour, with the exception of one night. The train would comprise four sleeping cars, two parlour cars, bath car, and ktichen car. Morning tea, afternoon tea, and supper would be provided, and other meals would be secured at the hotels in the various towns on the itinerary. He had already visited Otago Central and Southland, and the trouble was to include all the entertainment offering; there was really too m£j.ch available. Arriving about midnight on March 14, the visitors would spend the following day, Friday, at Greymouth, and then proceed to Hokitika. The West Coast was a very fine district, said Mr Barnes, and the visitors should be shown as much as possible. If weather such as now ruled could be produced, he was sure the visitors would go away very much impressed with the Coast. The principal idea was to show the visitors something they could not see in Canterbury, such as coal mines and sawmills

Mr Greenslade said that the transporting of about eighty people would be the main trouble.

Mr Kitchingham pointed out that a visit to the coal mines could be made by train. “Our main industry seems to be the scenery.” he added. Mr. Miller suggested that a motor trip to Punakaiki could be arranged. The Rewanui Mine could be inspected en route.

Mr. Barnes stated that, at Invercargill, the local bodies and the Automobile Association had combined to make arrangements. Mr. Greenslade said he did not think the local bodies at Greymouth could do much. They were willing enough, but they had only a small amount of unauthorised expenditure, and this was “mopped up” quickly. Mr. Kitchingham declared that the Harbour Board was the only financial body at Greymouth. “If they keep on spending they might not be,” replied Mr. Greenslade. Mr. Barnes said that the visitors, while desiring to inspect coal mines and other places of interest, would also like to meet the commercial men of Greymouth, say, at an informal evening gathering. One of the objects of the trip was to establish personal contact with commercial men. Mr. Greenslade said there was no doubt such trips would establish communication between the business men of the various districts, and improve things generally. New Zealand was only a small country, and its people should “get together.” Mr. Bunt suggested that the visitors should also be motored around the residential portion of the town, and in-

spect the harbour. Mr. Ring agreed that the coal-load-ing operations at the port should be inspected. Many people in the cities had no idea how the coal they used was mined or transported. The har-

bour should also prove interesting. There was now up to thirty feet of water on the bar, but in the early days one could walk across at low tide, and Kennedy Bros, once engaged men to dig out a channel so that their vessels could work the port. The following provisional programme was approved, on the motion

of Mr. Kitchingham, seconded by Mr. Ring:—Leave train at 9 a.m. on March

15, and motor around the town and

wharves; leave for the James Mine at 10 a.m., thence to Punakaiki; informal

gathering, 8 p.m., at Municipal Chambers.

Mr. Kitchingham agreed to interview Mr. I. A. Janies (Superinten-

dent of State Mines) regarding the proposed inspection of the Janies Mine; also with regard to the pro-

vision of lunch at Barrytown, and

other' details. Messrs Bunt and McDonnell were requested to approach the Automobile

Association, with a view to the provision of cars for the trip to Punakaiki.

The following committee was appointed to finalise the arrangements. —Messrs Kitchingham (conven-

er), Greenslade, Bunt, McDonnell, P. J. McLean, A. Robinson, and J. AV. Hannan.