HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 53, 16 February 1921, Page 2

HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Hastings Chamber of Commerce met last night, Mr. Thomas Clarkson (president) in the chair. Fifteen members were present. The president welcomed the new secretary, Mr. H. S. Moss, who was appointed to the vacancy caused the resignation of Mr. George Hartshorn. WITHDRAWALS FROM SAVINGS BANK. It was decided to write to the postmaster stating that a reply had not been received to the chamber’s letter complaining oT the necessity of the Hastings office having to communicate with Napier before a depositor could withdraw money from the Post Office Savings Bank, thereby causing inconvenience and delay. The chairman explained that the position had been somewhat relieved in that an arrangement now existed whercuy, if a depositor applied for his moiiey in the morning, he could get it out the same day. THE “ONE THIRTY” (?) TRAIN. Mr. J. Wilson drew attention to the unpunctuality of the train which should leave Hastings for Napier daily at 1.30 p.m. About a fortnight ago he, with I about 300 other people, were on the rail- ' way platform and this train was an hour and five minutes late. Many persons i arrived in Napier too late to see their ! friends in the hospital, which was the ! object of their journey. Wednesday I was the half -holiday in Hastings and ; I many people went to Napier and the sea, but they were often detained owing .-to the lateness of this train. I The chairman said that the chamber had protested regarding the eccentrici- | Ties of this train before, and .it was ‘scandalous that.something had not been done in an endeavour to keep this train up to time. Its unpunctuality militated against business men keeping their enas well as inconveniencing the public generally. On the motion of Messrs. Wilson and Morley, it was resolved to write again to the department, protesting against the unpunctuality of the 1.30 p.m. train to Napier, which caused great inconIvenience to the travelling public. TRUCKING OF CHAFF. Mr. W. A. Carter (de Pelichet, McLeod and Co.) complained that his firm had to stop chaff cutting twice in ten days, waiting for ropes from the Rail way Department. His firm had suitable rope in stock, and- they offered to sell it to the department, in order to expedite matters, but the <!epart men t would not buy it. The firm’s work was hung up in consequence and they had to turn down business with farmers because they were unable to deal with it. They even offered to wire the chaff, but the station master could not take the responsibility of allowing them to do so. The general manager (Mr. McVilly) had replied to his (Mr. Carter’s) telegram of I protest, saying that there was a great demand for sheets and ropes and they I were doing everything possible to cope j with it. I On the motion of Messrs. Carter and Kirkham, it. was decided to protest against this delay in providing facilities for the trucking of chaff and other gdods.

I COMMERCIAL TAPERS FOR LIBRARY. Mr. W. C. Whitlock, referring to several important papers received by the chamber, which were of interest to the commercial community, suggested that the chairman of the Public Library Committee (Mr. A. W. Hamilton) be approached, with the object of obtaining the committee’s permission to file these papers in the lobby, at the top of the stairs, just outside the entrance to the public library. A few desks could be placed there, and business men could go in arid read these papers and circulars, which might contain information which would be of use to them. It would only be adding a file of commercial papers to the librairi’. He moved that. Messrs. Duff, Woodward and himself wait on the chairman and submit the proposal to him, for consideration by his committee. I Seconded by the chairman and carried. The meeting then held a special meeting for the purpose of confirming alterations to the rules.