CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1936, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING AT GREYMOUTH A meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. P. J. McLean (President) presiding over (he following members: Messrs A. M. Robertson, G. M. Truman, J W. Greenslade, W. E. Norton, F. W. Shallcrass, T. E. Coates. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs T. A. W. Tate, F. A. Kitchingham, D. Tenn ent, J. W. Callwell, E. McDonnell, J. S. Robertson and G. R. Harker.

In reply to the Chamber’s letter, asking the Greymouth Borough Council to consider making provision for pedestrian traffic on Omoto Road, in order to minimise danger to women and children using the road, the Town Clerk (Mr. F. H. Denton) stated that the matter would receive the consideration of the Council. The Associated Chambers of Commerce forwarded information in regard to preliminary arrangements for the Empire Congress, to be held at Wellington in October 193 G. The General Manager of Railways Mr. G. H. Mackley, wrote with reference to a deputation representing local bodies and other interests which met the Railways Board on its last visit to Greymouth, stating that the question of the relative transport costs of goods to Reefton through Greymouth and the port, and through the port of West port, had been carefully investigated, anil in view of the circumstances,, he regretted that he could not recOinmend any reduction in the freight charges from Greymouth to Reefton. It was found after investigation, that any reduction in the rail rate from Greymouth to Reef ton would require to have application to all traffic, whether ex-ship or store, and although such a reduction might be instrumental in diverting a proportion of the present Westport traffic to Greymouth, the total volume of traffic avail able was so small that any additional revenue received from this source would be more than offset by the loss on the existing traffic conveyed from Greymouth to Reefton. Mr. Greenslade said that certain work which had been brought before the Railways Board, in connection with the Greymouth station, had been done, but nothing had been done to improve the unsightly condition of the northern end, where there were small detached buildings. He also referred to the need for an extension of the verandah on the northern end of the station, Tor the convenience of passengers, especially in bad weather. He moved that the General Manager’s attention be drawn to the unsightly detached buildings, asking for an improvement, also that the Board be asked to consider the extension of the verandah, in the event of no new stations being built in the near fut ure.

Mr. Norton seconded the motion, which was carried. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Norton, that the General Manager of Railways be asked to extend the facilities for stock loading at the main Greymouth station, and that the Borough Council be advised of this move, and asked to provide access to the loading-bank. • . It was also decided to point out to the Railways Board that no reply had been received regarding the representations for a new railway station at Greymouth, and the provision of a wig-wag signal at the Herbert Stieet crossing. ROAD TO ROSS Mr. Shallcrass said that he understood there was a possibility of the Public Works Department building a. new' bridge over the Hokitika Rivei at Kanieri, at a cost of £.20,000. It seemed a splendid opportunity, he said, to use the 140 men now on the Westland aerodrome, for the construction of a road along the sea coast fiom Hokitika to Ross. Two or three “turn outs” could be made on the Hokitika railway bridge, to facilitate the passing of cars. Such a road would cut out a good deal of mileage and would be practically level, whereas the present route to Ross, via Rimu, was very hilly. The adoption of such a scheme would mean that the present temporary bridge over the Hokitika River at Kanieri, would be adequate for all Rimu and Ruatapu traffic. He knew that the majority of Westland people were in favour of the proposal, and it would be a great opportunity for the further employment of the men at present working on aerodromes throughout the West Coast. It would mean a saving of some five miles between Hokitika and Ross, and would do away witli the use of a s hilly road, which was costly to mam ta The chairman said that about 1,500 men were working under the liibhc Works Department on the West iCoast, and as several of the jobs would be completed with a . tew months, it was an opportune!time to support the coast road to Ross pio Dosal. Employment would be necessary for those men, and they could not be better, employed than on such a road. He had already, been intei - (viewed by Ross people about the proposal, which would reduce the ■mileage between Hokitika and Ross, and would mean a flat road, instead of a semi-dangerous, switchback load. ■ It. was resolved, on the motion ot Messrs. Shallcrass and oa A eS \vn«t Westland local bodies, South West--1 land Farmers’ Unions, and the Piovincial Executive of the Farmers Union be advised that the Chambei was willing to co-operate with them in securing the adoption of the proposal..

MINERS’ .SLACK TIME. Mr. Greenslade drew members’ attention to the fact that the coal miners of the district were working very slack time, and urged on members the ■necessity, in the interests Qi the piosperity of the West Coast, tor some action to assist them. There was a lack of orders, and he thought the Chamber should again bring before the Government the desirability of the provision of plants for coal by-pro-ducts on the West Coast, ft had been proved by experiment, he said, that. West Coast coals were eminently suitable for use in the by-products field. He moved that the attention of the Government be drawn to the difficult times being experienced by miners and mine-owners on the West Coast, ami that (he Government be asked for their active co-operation in the establishment of a by-products plant on the West Coast, either as Government policy, or in assisting private enterprise. He added that the representations should go through Messrs. O’Brien and Webb. The motion was seconded by the chairman, and carried. On the motion of Mr. Norton, it was resolved to ask the Minister in charge

of Ihe Tourist Department, to have that Department give the fullest information to enquirers regarding the ■tourist attractions on the West Coast. Mr. Norton said he had -read recently about a visitor to New Zealand, who had been informed by an officer of the Department, that he could not make the West Coast trin in the time at his disposal: but the tourist found out later that he could have made the trip.