CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 127, 14 May 1912, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

HASTINGS.

eOVXCIL MEETING

The monthly meeting of the council of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Present: Mr. E. H. Williams (president) in the chair, Messrs FHoward, AV. Hart, Eustace Lane, J. Holt, H. A. Mossman, E. BasilJones, AV. C. Whitlock, A. L. D. Fraser, J. A. Fraser, and T. Clarkson. PROPOSED TRAMWAY LINE. The report of the sub-committee appointed to investigate suitable routes and collect information in regard to the proposed light tramway line between Hastings and Puketitiri, which was published in our issue of yesterday, was read by the chairman.

In reply to Mr. AVilliams, Mr. Holt said the route via Aloteo Valley was the more practicable. The chairman said he understood the committee did not recommend that route owing to its liability to floods. He doubted if the Government would undertake the survey of the three routes. Air. Alossman said he thought the Government would gb thoroughly into the matter before deciding on the survey, but each route would receive equal consideration. Air. Lhne. speaking as one of th® sub-committcc, said he understood the chamber did not want an expression of opinion as to the beet route, and they had refrained from giving one in the report. Until something more definite was decided on, the committee could not approach the landowners for the necessary land for the route. Messrs Morgan and Climie had offered to survey the routes at a bedrock fee, the actual cost of the work. In Ins opinion either the Rifle Range route or the Roy’s Hill embankment route were preferable. In reply to Mr. Holt, Air. Mobsman stated that Mr. T. M. Chambers, in reply to the letter forwarded by him to the Minister for Public Works requesting that the route should be'surveyed, had received a letter stating that the matter was tinder consideration .

Air. AVhitlock said that another petition covering the previous one from .he Puketitiri settlers had been presented to the County Council that day. The county chairman would be proceeding to Wellington' shortly and would interview the Minister. Air. Mossman moved that a copy of the sub-committee's report be sent with a covering letter to the chairman of the County Council.—/The motion was seconded by Mr Holt and jarried. and on the suggestion of Mr Hart it was also decided to forward 1 copy to the Alinistcr for Public Works, with a letter explaining what action had already been taken and requesting a reply within fourteen days.

CHAMBER OF COMAIERCE ROOMS.

In accordance with notice, of motion given, Mr. A. L. D. Eraser* noved. That a committee be set up , to enquire into the feasibility of securing a room or rooms for the use of the chamber. Speaking to his motion, Mr. Fraser referred to the necessity of the chamber having rooms of its own, equipped with an up-to-date reference library, and he suggested that a sub-committee consisting' of the chairman. Air. Alossman and the mover be appointed to confer withthe Hastings branch of the Farmers’ Union with the object of obtaining suitable rooms for the combined use of the two bodies.

Mr. Basil-Jones seconded, and the motion, with the mover’s suggestion added, was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The Palmerston North Ghambor forwarded a copy of a resolution passed by that chamber expressing ippreciation of the attitude shown jy the Min’stcr for Defence in his determination to enforce the comp.ilsory provisions of the Defence -vet, ind asked the Hastings Ch-unb-ir to pass a similar resolution if they aporoved of it.

Air. Fraser said as long is the law existed it should be obece .1, and is ritizens of a I'onstituti m d I'.nnti'j’ ic thought the chamber shout I ..p prove of the resolution. M e :>h« u!-l not look at, it from a defence p:ml. of view at all. but, from the consti!uional standpoint of obey mg the the law.—Air. Fraser’s suggest,.on was adopted, on his motion seconded bv Mr. Alossman. The lion. AVI D. S. Macdonald, Minister for Public AVorks, wrote 'hanking the chamber for 11 . congratulations on lbs elevation'to the Ministry. In regard to the pu-i.ing on of the Hawke's Bay-Gisborne lailway. the matter wis 'receiving his best attention, and he hoped that every progress would be made with .he work. Received. OTHER BUSINESS.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Air. J. E. Lane for his kindness :o the : üb-commiftee appointed in regard to the proposed tramway line. The chairman stared that he had purchased a Commercial Allas which he proposed to present to the chamber ar a nucleus for a reference library.— A vote of thanks was passed to Air. AA’iHiams for his gift. Alessrs T. H. Gill, H. Gill and G. Spencer Clapham were piopused as members of Hie chamber. The meeting then adjourned.