NAPIER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 31 August 1927, Page 4

NAPIER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL REPORT.

The following is the annual report presented at the annual meeting of members of the Napier Chamber of Commerce held to-day:— During the year four general and eight committee meetings have been held, as well as meetings of the subcommittees Your executive has carefully watched the interests of members on matters affecting the general welfare whether politically, commercially, or in connection with local conditions. The sub-committees have given considerable time and thought investigating and advising upon the great many subjects brought before the notice of the chamber. Many matters of district and local importance were dealt with during the year, other than stated in the report. The continued success ot the efforts of the chamber is due in a large measure to the active personal interest taken in the work by members. The membership stands at 164. In order to maintain the prestige of our chamber your executive would urge members to lose no opportunity of enrolling new members. When the magnitude of the issues dealt with by the chamber are considered, it will be obvious that it is imperative the personnel should lie thoroughly representative of the interests of the town and surrounding district, The usefulness of the organisation is recognised by the Prime Minister, who has insisted that certain matters of importance affecting the commercial welfare of the country .be referred to chambers of commerce for an opinion, and, as far as it lies in their power, members should use every endeavour to justify this confidence. The statement of receipts and expenditure shows a credit balance of £49 3/5 on the year’s working. Outstanding subscriptions amounting to £27 6/- have not been regarded as an asset, though it is hoped that a large proportion of same will be recoverable.

The departure from Napier of past Presidents R. W. Waterhouse and W. P. Griffiths was regrettable from the chamber’s standpoint. Both gentlemen earned the appreciation of the citizens of Napier for the exceptional work done by them in the interests of Napier and the welfare of the district generally. Your executive places on record, with much regret, the deaths of Messrs S McLernon, A. L. Falls, and P. S Tteaney. esteemed members of the executive, whose business ability, sound judgment, and experience were devoted to all matters pertaining to the development of the town and district. EAST COAST RAILWAY. Work has again this year been steadily proceeded with, all alonq the route between Eskdale and Wairoa. With the exception of two small block cuttings totalling 8,000 c. yarns, the formation has been completed to the Matahoura viaduct site at 34| miles from the Napier railway station, and by the time this viaduct has been completed, the formation and platelaying should be finished to Putorino station yard, 39 miles from Rapier. From here on to Wairoa patches of formation have been carried out mostly with the idea of commencing tunnel work and getting the larger jobs under way. Good progress has been made with the Waikoau viaduct at 27 miles 60 chains. Work in connection with Sandy Creek bridge at 30 miles 12 chains, and another of 1 30’ and 2/20’ spans at 31 miles 19 chains in hand. At 34 miles 42 chains the construction of the piers for the Matahoura viaduct are being proceeded with. The platelaying has been completed to the Waikoau viaduct and preparations are now in hand for the laying of the rails from the north side of this viaduct to the Matahoura viaduct site. All material for both the aforesaid viaducts and bridges will thus be carried on the site by rail, the rails and engine, etc., it is proposed to convey across the Waikoau Gorge on a cableway at the viaduct site. Two tunnels at Chimney Creek are in hand, No. 1 has been pierced for three chains at the northern end and No. 2 has seven chains completed at the northern end and has a bottom heading right through. Two steam shovels are employed on the southern approach and one on the northern end of the Kotemoari tunnel, which is 41 chains long, the longest tunnel on the NapierWairoa line. The Mohaka tunnel, 33 chains long, has been pierced for six chains from the southern end. The Wairoa station yard has been laid down with necessary sidings and permanent rails. A start shortly will be made on the Wairoa bridge, which should be finished within 12 months, when other wore* from Te Rumi to Wairoa should be completed. In the Wairoa station yard, the passenger station building, goods shed, platform and loading bank have been built, also a carpenters’ shop, stores and other buildings have been erected. Tho station yard has been formed and ballasted. A number ot road deviations have also been completed and metalled and others are in hand. The line between Eskdale and Waikoau has been well maintained during the year and a regular train service run. A fair amount of goods have been handled and for the last four months the returns are as follows: — Passengers, 1354; goods (outwards), 81 trucks of sheep, 1354 bullocks. 43 trucks of general freight and 21 trucks of timber; goods (inwards), 432 trucks (401 of Public Works materials and 31 for the general public). A considerable amount of work has been done in connection with housing and facilities for workmeh over the whole line, and, generally speaking, our workmen are very comfortably housed. A large Y.M ■ C.A, building has been provided at Waikoau and Kotemaori. Eight miles of fencing have been erected, cattle stops put in, overbridges constructed and service roads maintained. A goods shed has been' erected at Waikoau and a permanent water supply put in for this station yard. The formation of the Waipunga, Waikoau, Tutira and Matahoura station yards, including access and approach roads, have been completed and the necessary sidings for the first two have been laid. Eleven steam shovels and many scoop teams have been >n operation during the year, and the following yardage lias been excavated ; By steam shovel 168,882 cubic yards; by hand labour 86,504 cubic yards; by scoop teams 84,321 cubic yards; total. 339.707 cubic yards. Approximately a n average of 540 men have been employed on the whole line.

MAIN HIGHWAYS. The highways in this district have been well maintained and generally improved alj round during the year. Grades and sharp corners have lieen eased in a great number of places and many bridges rebuilt, strengthened or replaced with culverts, The following

plant wa a purchased by the Main Highways Board for local bodies of this district: 6 power graders, 2 Dennis trucks, 1 roller. Several countries have also purchased additional plant on then- own behalf. A summary of the works completed or carried out during the year i 8 as follows: Maintenance on highways 505 miles, bituminous concrete 78 chains, tar and bitumen seal 7 miles, deviations 5 miles 60 chains, survey 2 miles 45 chains, bridges in hand or completed 510 lineal feet. OTHER MATTERS. The dairy grader for Hawke’s Bay reports that 36.011 boxes of butter and 2148 crates of cheese were graded. Owing to the drought the season’s prospects were not realised, being less than was anticipated. The Importers Committee of the chamber is to be congratulated upon the success their efforts in ootaining more satisfactory shipping arrange merits between the South Island ports and Napier and Gisborne. Hawke's Bay was losing a considerable amount of business owing to the fact that southern boats for this port were running a most irregular service. As a result of determined representations to the U.S.S. Co. by the Importers’ Committee an extra boat was provided which gave the required satisfaction until two or three months ago since when the old irregularity has been in evidence. The U.S.S. Co., in explanation, stated the winter weather as the cause of the dislocation. Your executive is making every effort in the direction of securing the maintenance of the improved service. The question of reclamation received considerable attention from your executive. Every effort has been made in the direction of persuading the Harbour Board to formulate a scheme to develop their endowment lands to the utmost economic capacity.' During the year the Hawke’s Bay Power Board has carried out its programme of work well up to time and within the estimated cost. To date £125,000 has been spent on reticulation lines, housewriting and electric ranges. It is anticipated that within three months’ time the lines will ie completed to give supply to the borough of Hastings and the freezing works at Paki Paki together witii extensions to Haumoana, Clifton, Raukawa. Poukawa and Middle road. Havelock North. The board’s maximum demand on the Mangahao system is now 860 kilowatts and it is anticipated a maximum demand oi over 2,000 kilowatts will be reached next winter. To date £130.000 has been spent on line construction and financial assistance to consumers, which sum is represented by the major portion of the construction programme. At present there are over 1000 consumers receiving current with only part of the area livened up. The estimates for the current year show a balance of revenue over expenditure, and it is confidently expected that the board will be able to give supply for the first year without having to levy a rate. Under the auspices of the chamber, a conference of public bodies was held on June 21 with a view to taking concerted action in bringing about the preservation of the native bush at Puketitiri. It was agreed that wherever possible native bush should be preserved for scenic purposes and as this area is the only piece of native bush near Napier and Hastings it should be conserved for the benefit of future generations. In response to representations submitted to tire Government replies were received from the Prime Minister and the Hon. McLeod pointing out the inability of the Government from a financial point of view to agree to the request that the bush be preserved for scenic purposes. The timber portion which had cost a considerable sum of money had been acquired by the Forestry Department for commercial purposes and could not therefore be disposed of without compensation.

We extend our thanks to the’ Canterbury Chamber of Commerce for bulletins issued, also Air the receipt of a booklet which reflected great credit upon the executive of the Canterbury Chamber. Also to the U.S.S. Co., for the handsomely framed photo of Diamond Lake, Canada. Also to Government officials, local bodies’, Mr. J. Mason. M.P., the Napier postmaster, the stationmaster, the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr. F. N, Thompson, and to business firms for their willingness in assisting the chamber with information whei> ever requested, and for the manycourtesies extended. Thanks are also extended to the publishers and firms who provided the periodicars. journals, newspapers, etc., forwarded to the chamber during the year, tne Other chambers for report's and r.o the Press for their attendance at our meetings and the publicity given to the business of the chamber