CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1928, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon at the office of the Secretary (Mr M. J. Fogarty). Present. Messrs J. McLean (President), A. Naylor, J. W. Greenslade (Mayor), J. Ring, L. B. Miller. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. Harker, W. Kettle, J. S. Ross, W. Cunningham. Mr H. Chapman (District Traffic Manager, N.Z. Railways) wrote acknowledging letter of sympathy in connection with his recent illness.—Received. The Secretary of the Buller Progress League wrote advising that any delegates sent by thc Chamber would not be able to vote on any matter brought up for discussion at the South; Island Progress Leagues’ Conference at Westport. It was decided to inform the League that the Chamber would hot be sending any delegates to thc Conference. Thc Secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce solicited support for a resolution re bank rates, as follows: —“That, in the opinion of this Chamber, it is important, in the interests of trade recovery that immediately the statistical position of the banks as regards London balances, and the ratio of advances to deposits shows signs of approaching normality, bank rates of exchange and interest should be restored to points approximating those in force eleven months ago. The Chairman mentioned that the Chamber had already given its support in connection with a similar resolution from Canterbury. The Minister of Public Works wrote re Haupiri Junction road, stating that inquiries had been made concerning the request for a grant of £3OO for the purpose of constructing thc road. On the current year’s estimates an item of £lOOO was provided for clearing, paving and metalling thc first 77 chains to dray road width, and the Grey County Council accordingly submitted proposals for thc expenditure of the sum mentioned, authority for which was issued by thc Council on March 3rd. Additional funds to construct the road would receive every consideration when thc road estimates for 1928-29 were being compiled. Mr Greenslade commented that all they could do was to make another application when thc time was opportune.

The letter was received. It was agreed, on the motion of the Chairman, that £5 be granted in connection with the publication of matter pertaining to the district in the South Island Motorist Guide, the necessary information to be supplied by Mr F. Kitchingham (Chairman of the Beautifying Committee) and Mr Harley (Secretary of thc Automobile Association).

Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., wrote re liberating of opossums, stating that the Hon O. Hawken had intimated that the N.Z. Bird Protection Society had protested that opossums were responsible for the scarcity of native birds, and the Government would not reconsider its decision against the liberating' of opossums. Mr Greenslade said that what they had set out for was not to increase the number of opossums, but to improve the species, so that they could get a better class of opossums. At present the breed was deteriorating. They wanted to improve the breed so that they would get better values .for their skins. Mr Hawken, when visiting the Coast, had displayed a wonderful knowledge of opossums, and had said that he could see nothing against the introduction of a better species. f" c speaker moved that a letter explaining the matter to that effect be sent to tin' Minister. The motion was agreed to. The Chairman intimated that no reply had been received from the Minister re the representation ot the " I, er concerning the bridging ot the West Coast road, and it was resolved to again draw the attention ot the Minister to the matter. Mr Greenslade stated that some considerable time ago a deputation hat waited upon the Minister ot Bailways re the speeding up of the service on t c Reefton line, to enable peopie to st. ) longer in Greymouth, and to do away with what was a veritable inghtnm c the waiting for trains at btillwatci. Nothing, however, had since been heard Of The o Chairman said that possibly the matter had been held up owing to tl c resignation of certain members ot the 11 to bring the matter before the Department. _