CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 November 1924, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ORDINARY MEETING. Before tlie ordinary meeting of the Chamber last night, members (who were present to the number of twenty) were present at a dinner in Hoddle’s Rooms, where a very good spread was put on by the proprietor. The president (Mr -E. Dixon) was in the eliair. He cordially welcomed several visitors and several members of the Retailers’ Association. There were apologies for about nine members. The president .said -he hoped there would be a round table discussion after the conclusion of Mr Horner’s report. Mr Matthews (of Spratt and Matthews) was elected a member of the Chamber. lii announcing this the pre-

sident said the number should be at , least doubled, and Mr Fletcher agreed, , but added that the. number should be , increased to at least a hundred. He urged every member to take an interest .and be a canvasser for members, as was the case in many large associations. * EREIG-HT RATES. On the motion of Mr Murdoch, it was resolved to press for a further reduction on benzine, in addition to that granted. He considered it still too high. STRATFORD RAILWAY. The Prime Minister replied to a communication from the Chamber, that the railway had been commenced at both ends. A .sipjilar communication was received from Hon. J. G. Coates and from Mr J. R. Corrigan, ALP. It was considered necessary to keep this im.portant matter before the Government. REVALUATIONS. The chairman referred to this .matter, fulfilment of which, he said, had been promised. He considered it most important and 1 a great factor in stabilising affairs in this district, than which none was more deserving of attention. It was most unfair, and lie considered all local .bodies should combine to secure the desired .aetip.n. Mr Murdoch said the present valuations affected all local bodies and created high and fictitious values. It was having a very adverse effect and was keeping good settlers away. He quoted cases of private .valuations where a very large reduction had been secured. Mr McCarthy stressed, the need of valuers .with local knowledge. Mr F. C. Spratt suggested a -panel of two or three, and added instances where local valuations proved that present values were ridiculous. Mr Matthews said his experience "was similar, and they should liot r.est until they .got satisfaction. ' On 'Mr Horner’s .suggestion a -subcommittee /was set .up/ consisting of Messrs J. B. Murdoch, R. McCarthy, F. C. Spratt, 11. Rurdelvfn and Matthews, to go into the matter, with power to act-. DENTAL CLINIC.

, Advice was received from the Minister .of. Public Health that the .clinic, would be set up so soon as a room was available. The secretary .said it would ; be knp.wn .to all that the ■aceomm,oda-: tion was arranged in .the ; dld Technical School. Air R. Gillauders said it was a very’ good move apd most useful to Hawera. ! PUBLICITY FOR HAWERA. Mr Horner suggested that in view of the Christmas tourist traffic, arrangements should be made to see that people coming to Taranaki should .go through and see Hawera. He instanced cases where people travelling by par had gone through and not seen the town- ' ’ ’ Mr Murdoch said it opened up the question of motor .trips being arrangedfrom south, and suggested that leaflets ■ should be circulated concerning Ha-, w.era and .district, for they wanted peoplet to come here, even if they stayed only an .hour or two. Mr Burdekin said that the Egmont Tourist Company was taking up this matter and would appreciate anything the Chamber could do, Mr Horner said they wanted people to come through the town and not pass it by, and suggested signposts at the entrances to the town indicating routes. Mr Horner said also that a parking or camping area would be a valuable help, for tourists would often stop and perhaps spend a day here if they had a place 'to camp and knew of the Park gardens. The question was .considered a good suggestion. Eventually a sub-committee, the president, Messrs Bond and Horner, was set up to make the best arrangements possible, conferring in the matter with the Borough Council. OHAWE REACH.

Air Aliu'docli said that the fencing of the road to the beach by the Maoris had revived interest in the reserve, and he said that, in view of a report re the gazetting comparatively recently, of the Alaori reserve, inquiry should be made.

The chairman agreed, pnd it was resolved to write for information. The chairman qlso drew attention to the fact that when the lands,. were thrown, open down there for auction they were submitted at New Plymouth. He considered it quite wrong, and it was resolved that he and Mr'Murdoch interview the Commissioner of Crown Lands in the matter. GENERAL.

It was resolved to support the railways goods shed men in their effort to secure a weekly half-holiday. The secretary reported that literature dealing with Wembley Exhibition had been received and was available to members.

The next meeting of the Chamber was fixed for the last‘‘Friday in January, the executive to meet a week earlier and go into business to be placed before the meeting.