CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1910, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Chambear of Commerce was held last evening when there were present — Mr Felix Campbell (chair), Messrs E. J. Thorn as, J. McLean,. E. McDonnell, C: Heaphy, J. Gittos, J. Jackson, A. Gilbert, P. Grogan, W. R. Kettle, T. Fogarty, C. Parfitt, W. Morris ,D. Snannahan, E J. Williams, M. J. Fogarty, Drake, Mordant, W. Leitch, T. Leitch, Watson. An apolosy was received frbm Mr Pepper. The President, Mr Felix Campbell, presented the following- report : — In ilaying before you my report of the work of the chamber for the past 12 months, I would like to point out that the membership of the chamber is not quite what it should be in a growing town like Greymouth, and cannot help but feel that the apathy (displayed by .leading commercial men is engendered by lack of enthusiasm, a.nd a desire to shirk the natural responsibiMes that devolve on every citizen who has a stake in the town's welfare, and I trust that during the ensuing year an effort will be made to increase the sphere of its usefulness and so give a greater measure of representation to afl Branches of trade and commerce. I have to place on record the lamentable demise of our beloved Sovereign—King Edward Vll— which took place on May 6th last, whose death has deprived every subject of this dominion of a noble diplomatist, a great sovereign, the truest friend of the oppressed, and the greatest power for commercial prosperity these realms have ever known; and to whose bereaved -relative's the fullest measure of sympathy is extended by this Chamber. During the past twelve months the building- trade has been unusually active as will be observed by the rapidly increasing number of substantial dweKling houses in the residential, areas and the higher prices which -residential sites are now realising, in proof of which I might mention tEe capital value of the town now stands at ;£541,506. The Chamber has 'done much excellent work .during the year, although in many instances their efforts have not been crowned with success ; more particularly the agitation to re-estab-lish the 7.50 a.m. .train to Hokitika on Mondays : the Minister of Railways holding- that results did not justify continuance of the train. The (recommendation to erect a suitable Supreme Court Building here, an endeavour to procure legislation to secure a method of payment of compositions by a wage-earning bankrupt by means of weekly or monthly instalments, and .that his discharge should be conditional on 'such instalments ' being regularly paid. Another question of vital importance to owners of private sidings which has occupied the attention of the Chamber is: — The anomolous freight charges on small parcels consigned to owners of such sidings ; the Department insisting on the applicatijg. tQf Ithe im&i)imutm 'truck orates, whilst settlers for the same service are charged .the ordinary parcel Tates. Unfortunately the incidence of such ■charges . has not been apparent an other districts, and the. Chamber's efforts to secure concerted action with other chambers for re-dress has proved abortive,, a-n : d I fear we cannot hope for any relief in that direction. The general prosperity of the district has. been seriously hampered by the strike at the State Collieries during the end of 1909 to which may be mainly attributed the comparative fallshort in the gross tonnage for., export. The general depression in the timber trade during the latter part ol last year and the early part of this year has also militated against the gross export in which will be observed a slight decadence. During the J^r.t few months, however, the mills have been kept busy and we may look forward to a general improvement during the next twelve months. The suspension of harbour improvements due to the financial stringency of the Harbour Board and the hitherto unsympathetic attitude of the Government in regard to the loan requirements has seriously affected the town, and this, together with the frequent shoaling of the bar has proved of •serious moment to both the travelling and commercial public. Happily, this state of affairs appears to be at an end and we may confidently look to the floatation of the proposed loan of £400,000 and the immediate resumption of active harbour improvement works. The expenditure entailed in this con section as well as the municipal loan now under flotation will find employment for a large number of men and the increased .earning capacity resulting therefrom will cause a great revival'in many trades. The general outlook., is^ much faker than at the commencement of my term >of office, and I confidently look to a great impetus being given thereto during: the coming yeax due to the causes above referred to-. I am indebted to H. B. Burnett, Esq., secretary of the Harbour Board for the latest information available, ■ from which I have been able to estimate the out-put for the year 1910— Total revenue of th c Board, £34,000; general' exports, 3,133 tons ; coal export, 416,930 tons ; timber export 33,---465,000 sup. feet; sleepers exported,. 46,400; general imports, 56,6000 tons. It is noticeable that the gross income of the Board constitutes a record, whilst the export of both coal and timber is an increase on last year's returns. '. In addition to these signs of improv- *\ ang prosperity it must not be forgotten. that the values of our gross exports are considerably enhanced by the. export of goldv which for the current year can i}e conservatively estimated at £2?0,000, adduced from most reliable, data. The normal rapidly increasing: coal (output has been handled without in*

convenience or delay to shippers ; the present craneage capacity being 32,500 tons weekly. The. depth of water on the bar has averaged 20.3 this year as against 20.11 for 1909; the decrease being- due to the abnormal gales prevalent during the past few months. In conclusion I wish to warmly •jhank the members of the Executive Committee for their untiring efforts during- my term of office, to whose loyal support and admirable assistance the activity of the Chamber is mainly due; and sincerely trust that during" the ensuing years the Chamber will become more popular and be accorded that support and interest it is due by the commercial representatives of the town and district. The President stated that in future the secretary would compile the exj ports and imports every month, I so that at the end of the yeax they would have them correct. He was pleased to say .that the prospects of the district were second to none in ftew Zealand. He would like to see the exports and imports increase from £250,000 to half a million. Attention was mow being given to the oil industry, and he felt sure it would be a commercial success. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr Kettle seconded and congratulated the President on the amount of information h-e had supplied in his report. -People outside the town had no idea of the importance of the place. Mr E. J. Thomas said in other towns the Chamber of Commerce was the principal body. The reason why the Government had refused their requests was because they were too apathetic. He hoped more interest would be taken during the year.! Mr Morris said the^ people cf the town had not supported the Chan ber as they should. The Cham'.e-r was doing work to advance the plac?. and yet .the people would not assist. He was heartily sick of working for «tf;<?r people, who would not help, the^s^l 'es This was one of the most impo.-n.nt centres in. the Dominion, and <t only wanted energy and push to bria? it to the front. Some people, -huik -hat as long as they have a shop they are doing allright. , M.r C. Parfitt referred :o -he promising outlook of the mining. districts as Bell Hill and the Blackwater only wanted prospecting. The report was .adopted. The President thanked the members for the way the report had been received, and the ..complementary remarks made. The Chamber of Commerce should be -thoroughly organised and made the medium .of pushing on the district. They wanted 100 members to make the Chamber a success, •and they should work for the common good of all. . The balance sheet, which showed a small credit balance, was received and adopted. Mr Kettle moved that the subscription be reduced from £2 2s to £1 Is. He felt sure they could get 100 members. • Mr Morris seconded and said they wanted numbers more than cash. Motion carried. Mr Jackson stated that he was present on behalf of his Union to gain information. He would report to his Union and they would be represented on the Chamber. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing years resulted as follows: — President— Mr Felix Campbell (reelected. vVice-Presidents— Messrs W. Morris, E. J. Thomas. Committee— Messrs Kettle, Griffin, Gilbert, E. J. Williams, Parfitt, E. McDonell, J. Jackson, Pepper, Jas. ' Leitch, P. Grogan, D. Shannahan, P. Hambleton, D. .Tennent, J. McLean, M. J. Fogarty. Mr Kettle moved that the rrieetings. be held monthly, and they be advertised, and the Press representatives be invited to attend. Mr Thomas seconded. CaTried. It was resolved that the committee meet on Wednesday fortnight. .Mr Lee was appointed secretary pro tern.