ELTHAM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 October 1924, Page 2

ELTHAM.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (Prom Our Own Correspondent). Tiig Council or tlie Eltham Chamber or Commerce met last . evening, the president, Mr Ira J. Bridger, presiding. Others present were: Messrs A. Beesley, {S. E. Carson, T. Fountaine, ,E. Clare, F. \ incent, and the secretary Mr McDonald). The liigiitwdtchman (Mr A. Lethbridge) reported that during the pastmonth twelve doors were found unfastened, two windows open, seven lights left burning, five keys left in locks, and four bicycles left in the street. —The report was received. Mr Lethbridge wrote, resigning his ■position, as night-watchman owing to the wages (£3 10s per week) not being sufficient. The president, stated that when he received the resignation he quite agreed that- the salary was not sufficient, and immediately circularised all subscribers asking for a slight increase in their subscriptions, ,so as to enable the Chamber to pay £4 per week’, which would be sufficient to pay a salary acceptable to the nightwatchman. He pointed out the great value of a nightwatchman, as evidenced by the report presented, and hoped it would be possible to retain the services of the present man, who was a thoroughly competent and trustworthy official. Members agreed that an effort should he made to pay per week, and, on the motion of Messrs Carson and Beesley, the following resolution was carried: “That an endeavour be made to retain the services 6f Mr Lethbridge by soliciting an increased contribution from the subscribers. ” The president said that he had recently brought the matter before the Borough Council, and reecived their support to the suggestion that power he given borough councils to create an inner area of the borough and to collect therefrom sufficient i-revenue from which to pay the services of a nightwatchman. He dealt with the many advantages of such a scheme, and asked the members of the Chamber -whether they approved of such a suggestion. Mr Beesley said that the idea was an excellent one, and it had his wholehearted support. Mr Fountaine stated that there must be many towns which experienced the same difficulties as Eltham, and if the suggestion was placed before the chambers no doubt it would receive much, support. He heartily =ehdorsed the suggestion. Mr Clare then moved and Mr Vincent seconded: “That this chamber heartily endorses the scheme as outlined by the president, and directs that- all chambers in New Zealand be written to and 1 asked for support.” It was also decided to send , the suggestion on to the Dominion conference of chambers of commerce as a- remit. A letter w r as received from the Levin Chamber of Commerce with reference to the Levin-Marton deviation proposal.—Received. The secretary, Mr H. G. McDonald, wrote resigning his position as secretary to the chamber, owing to the work of the chamber interfering with his own work.—The. resignation was accepted with sincere regret, and the matter of 'filling- the position was left with the president with power to act. .It was decided to hold the annual meeting of the Chamber in October, and that it take the form of a smoke concert.