CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 November 1926, Page 10

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

HA WEIR A. AiEIMBEIRS’ ACTTV.IT FES. AFFAIRS OF PUBLIC INTEREST. The monthly meeting of the liawera Chamber of Commerce-was held yesteiday. There were present : .Messrs E. l)t_on (piesident), L A. Bone, I‘MHorner, E. 0. Fletcher, E. K. Cameron, B. 0. Bennett, 0. Frey berg, P. Bond, and R. S. Snge (secretary). HIGH. SCHOOL AWARDS. The committee comprising Messrs Dixon, Horner, land in© secretary, appointed to confer with the headmaster of the Hawera High School with respect to prizes to be donated by the chamber, repotted that it had been agreed to offer prizes to the commercial classes as follows: First year class. —‘Best in hand wilting, to oe decided by a committee of the chamber oil a test. Second year Class.—Best shorthand writer, oil points by test of style, speed and accuracy. Thiiel year class.- —'Best in book-keep-ing, on test set by a committee of the chamber, based on the methods of hist motion. Mr. Horner reported further that other suggestions had been put forward, one being for the award of a handsome diploma each year to the fourth year pupil who had mado best progress in the school during ihe four year course, but it had been decided to defer the matter for further consideration next year. -The report was adopted. CHOICE OF VOCATIONS

Air. Horner outlined a suggestion for the appointment of a vocational committee comprising: representatives ol the four main classes of vocations, viz., professional, industrial, commercial and farming. He suggested that the objects of the committee would be to advise boys about to leave school as to the choice of a. suitable career. If such a committee consisting of qualified and thoroughly representative members: of the classes mentioned were set up it should be able to .afford practical and very helpful counsel, according to the particular qualifications of a boy in his choice of a career and also to advise him concerning the best means of studying for advancement. Such a scheme had already been recommended by Air. Justice Fraser in the Arbitration Court at Auckland. Later, the Minister of Education had Intimated that something of the kind was necessary. owing to the difficulty which parents were encountering in placing their boys in suitable occupations. The Minister had even gone so far <as to state that the Department would co-operate if an approved .scheme were evolved. Though the need might not be so great in Hawera as in the metropolitan centres, continued Air. Horner, lie bad received inquiries from parents and he felt that if such a committee was set up and received- the co-operation of the principal of the High School, as well as the headmasters of the primary schools, it would serve a highly useful purpose. The suggestion was supported by the chamber members expressing the opinion that the scheme was on the right lines and the progress committee was appointed to bring forward definite proposals at an ensuing meeting.

INSURANCE RIE-OLASSIFICATTON. The secretary reported Jtihat us a result of interviews obtained by Air Horner in Wellington, as- requested at the annual meeting, letters had been received from the State Fire Office and the Underwriters’ Asociation agreeing to send representatives to Hawera at an early date to make an inspection with a view to considering re-classifi-cation of property for insurance.

The attitude'of the insurance authorities on various matters was explained by Mr. Horner, and members expressed appreciation of the result of the interviews. GENERAL. During a discussion concerning, the trouble with distance telephone calls, it" was stated that much difficulty was being experienced in conversing with Stratford and New Plymouth, though conditions were better with calls s*. utli of Hawera. It was pointed out that the department had been endeavouring to locate the cause of the trouble by sending an expert to the district. One member, suggested that two engineers should be sent to inquire, if necessary, and it was decided to communicate with the department requesting a report on thei matter' from the engineer. . A letter received from the Stratford Progress League expressed pleasure that the chamber was. willing to assist in makiuo- representations! to the Minister of Railways, when he visits the district, with reference to the completion of the Stratford Main Trunk lailwny. The Progress League desired to make it clear that the resolution previously forwarded for endorsement was not intended as a hostile criticism of the Government, but it- was fc't that in order to attain the desired end it was necessary for the provincial interests to show that they were in earnest in their anxiety to have the work completed with all expedition. In replv to representations made by the chamber, the Railway Department advised that no alteration could be made to the regulations '.egarding the surcharge of 25 per cent, cn, unpaid Parcels.

A petition which was received, ashing the chamber to take cetion with a view to the removal of Die stock yards located in the vicinity of the Hawera railway station is referred to elsewhere.