IN CENTRAL H.B.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 238, 26 September 1930, Page 6

IN CENTRAL H.B.

DISTRICT NEWS OF THE DAY

WAIPUKURAU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE annual meeting. (Special Representative). The ninth annual meeting of the Waipukurau Cuumber of Commerce was held last, night, Mr. A. C. Hohns, the retiring president, presiding over a very representative attendance. The following were elected: Messrs S. F. Brandon. G. A. Ellison. W. T. Irvine, 1. W. N. Mackie, and F. Tinney. Endowing upon the president briefly referring to the essential features of his annual survey (published elsewhere in this issue), Mr. F. V. Ward moved and Mr. E. G. Dowrick seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Officers were elected as follow: — President, Mr. F. V. Ward; vicepresident, Mr. E. G. Dowrick; executive, Messrs. A. C. Holms. T. G. Given, E. H. Leigh, L. E. Hawke, J H. Walker and B. L. Wallis: hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. A. G. Dunn; hon. auditor, Mr. G. E. Fowler; shopping and holidays committee, Messrs. B. L. Wallis, R. W. Carpenter, E. E. Jones, A. S. Moore, R. McD. Scott. D. R. Mills and J. A. Dixon ; Dental Clinic advisory committee, Messrs. E. G. Dowrick, W. L. Lawrence, V. H. Bradley and J. G. Clarkson: Luncheon Club committee, president, vice-president, Messrs. A. C. Hohns and W. L. Lawrence.

On the motion of Mr. Dowrick, who spoke in highly eulogistic terms as to the service rendered the chamber bv Mr. A. C. Holins, the outgoing president, during the past five years, that officer was unanimously elected a life member. The incoming president said he whole-heartedly endorsed the sentiments expressed as also did Messrs. B. Mathieson, J. Huntly Walker, E. H. Leigh and others. Mr. Holms who had asked the mover not to proceed in the matter stated that he fully appreciated the honour done him and the offer being emphasised as deserved he had deferred to the wish of the +ing. It was his second term of such service in a chamber (Levin firstly). On the motion of Mr. Holms a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. B. Mathieson for his work as a member of the Shopping and Holidays Committee, regret being expressed at his retirement. The president seconded this motion. Mr. Dowrick expressed the view, as did others, that the immediate past president should be a inembei of the executive ex-officio and Mr. Mathieson subsequently gave notice of motion accordingly, also that settlers be eligible for election as members at a reduced fee.

Owing to the lateness of the hour and an address from Mr. A. McNeil, business agent for the New Zealand Railways being on the order paper, Mr. Holms withdrew the following proposal (which had been seconded by Mr. Hawke and keenly debated pro and con): "That the chamber adopt a graduated scale of subscription fees as follows: Minimum 10/6 with an increase to £1 1/-, as applied to firms with a permanent staff of more than three, £1 11/6 more ■in six and £2 2/- staff in excess of nine.’’

Mr. McNeil delivered a very informative address on railway freight features and announced that arrangements were being made to provide for the free delivery of goods from Port Ahuriri to the Napier railway station, also the delivery of parcels up to I cwt. at a cost of 6d from the local railway station. At the close of his speech Mr. McNeil was heartily thanked by the president and a motion carried expressing the viewpoint that business people would appreciate the concessions and asking that Waipukurau share in the recently inaugurated free goods delivery system from Wellington. PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW. The retiring president (Mr, A. C. Holms) submitted the following survey:— “In submitting for your consideration the annual presidential review of the work of the Waipukurau Chamber of Commerce during the year 1929-30, I have special pleasure in pointing to one of the most useful eras in the history of the organisation, many activities having been engaged upon with a satisfactory measure of success..

“The responsibilities of the executive have been considerably augmented as a result of the constitution of the Shopping and Holidays Committee. under the auspices of the Chamber towards the end of the 1928-29 year; also the formation of the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Club at the commencement of this winter; as well as undertaking much detailed organisation with a view to holding an Empire Shopping Week. “The Shopping and Holidays Committee has functioned in a manner calculated to inspire confidence, a lead on various controversial proposals being in most cases unanimously framed for the guidance of business people and consumers. I desire incidentally to heartily congratulate the chairman (Mr. B. L. Wallis) and other members of the committee (Messrs R. M. Scott, B. Mathieson, E. E. Jones, R. W. Carpenter and A. S. Moore) on the success achieved. In connection with the special street electric lighting arrangements at ’Xmas and New Year the Chamber has had continued financial assistance on a 50-50 basis from the Borough Council and has recorded its thanks accordingly. “There has been an average attend, ance of 20 members at the monthly fixtures of the Luncheon Club, under a rotarv system of chairmanship'. Brief addresses have been delivered on the respective occasions and highly appreciated. “The Dental Clinic Advisory Committee (Messrs E. G. Dowrick. chairman, J. G. Clarkson, and V. H. Bradley, and W. L. Lawrence, hon. secretary), functioned to good purnose. and it is pleasing to note that the erection of new rooms adjacent to

the Waipukurau District High School primary building has resulted from its overtures in association with the school committee. EMPIRE SHOPPING VyEEK. “The Empire Shopping Week proposal, although well advanced towards fruition, had to be postponed owing to some business people being apathetic in the matter, but the executive has in other directions assisted in promoting the patriotic trading ideals proclaimed in the following policy declaration •— “That consistent with its policy of promoting the progress of Waipukurau and district, also the commercial and industrial welfare of the Dominion (through the medium of the Associated Chambers) this Chamber invites its members to assist to the fullest possible extent and in due relationship the preferential trade ideals of ‘Buy in Waipukurau‘New Zealand Goods Firstly;’ or ‘British and Best.’ Further, the Chamber wishes to emphasise the fact that adherence to the principles herein advanced is complementary to the logical sequence of local Dominion, and Empire loyalty, as well as best calculated to interdependent! y strengthen our primary and secondary industries. The Chamber has in effect acted as a branch of the British Manufacturers’ Association of New Zealand. It naturally afforded the executive pleasure to actively cooperate with the Borough Council in arranging a fitting public demonstration on the occasion nf the grand tour of British motor vehicles. Youi president is strongly of the opinion that the building up of the industrial greatness of the Empire and tho reduction of unemployment can best be given a much-needed impetus by allround Imperial preference and reciprocal tariff treaties with foreign countries, thus permitting of bargaining along lines calculated to ensure fair (balanced) trade, instead of longer suffering from one-sided “free” trade. The Chamber’s overtures to the Prime Minister in regard to the desired trend of Customs Taxation (increased patriotic preference) have met with a sympathetic reception, the abolition of the flat rate primage duty being especially welcome.

“A further effort was put forth during the year to secure the forma tion of a public stock route between the Mangatarata Riding and the Pourerere Riding of the Patangata County, via Korr.vtown, but the proposal is still in abeyance.

AIR DEPOT. “Considerable attention has been given to the matter of establishing an air-depot in Waipukurau, it being felt that the district should be linked un with the Hawke’s Bay Aero Club’s activities and brought into a state of readiness for the advent of any aeroplane passenger service between Auckland. Hawke’s Bay and Wellington. On this scoie Captain White, of Hastings, has conferred with vour executive and the Mayor of Waipukurau as to a suitable ground. The Borough Council, we feel sure can be relied upon to further promote the very desirable objective thus investigated. LAND SETTLEMENT. “The important subject of closer land settlement has continued to engage the watchful attention of your president and executive, steps having been taken from time to time to emphasise the significant fact that the average area of Central Hawke’s Bay holding is in excess of the Hawke’s Bay Land District average of 460 acres and Dominion average of 500 acres, being 640 acres (Patangata County 1074 acres), while the claims of various areas available for the purpose of subdivision have been brought under the notice of the Minister of Lands. We are hopeful that our sustained efforts in this connection will ere long assume practical shape. GENERAL SURVEY. “The Chamber has as usual enjoyed the co-operation of the stationmaster (Mr. P. J. Cassidy)* also the postmaster (Mr. W. P. Smith), in various directions affecting railway transport and postal, facilities. In the former connection ?t is noteworthy that Waipukurau continues to occupy a high place in the annual returns for the Dominion.

“Your Chamber forwarded a protest to the Government against the curtailment of our modes and system of military training, but on the score of economy suspension for one year has been decided upon. It is a matter of Imperial concern that in the Homeland the Empire’s first line of defence (and a world agency in the cause of pacifism) the British Navy, has been reduced to almost half the pre-war size and in consequence some 100,000 skilled workers have been added to the ranks of the unemployed. “The Chamber has always identified itself with the movement toward establishing an agricultural training school in Hawke’s Bay in terms of the Howard bequest, and noted with satisfaction the preliminaries completed for accommodating from five to ten cadets at Smedley. “The Chamber has already offered its congratulations to the Borough Council on the progress made last .year in having installed an increased high-pressure water supply, which is proving a very valuable aid to the operations of our efficient Fire Brigade—under Fire Board control. A reduction of fire insurance premius has been secured to take effect as from the Ist inst. The streets’ improvement scheme is well forward towards completion, and the footpath concreting work carried out does special credit to the borough. “Other public facilities adding to the attractiveness of the town include A’Deane Park (and children’s playground). Central Rugby Park and the Hunter Memorial Park: also tho erection of the new St. , Mary’s Anglican Church. St. Joseph’s Convent and Hospital additions. New premises for the Bank of Australasia are among other building features worth noting: also larger offices for the Bank of New South Wales, while a considerable number nf new dwellings have been erected during the year.

“The official prestige of Waipukurau has of recent date been supplemented bv the creation of the local branch of the Public Trust Office into n district office.

“Tho business community shared in rommnn with the consumers of Pontral Hawke’s Bar a reduction, of Id per unit in electric lighting eharges, this being dulv anpreejated • but the opinion is fairly general among our members that a graduated scale in lieu of the flat rate of 9d per unit should bo provided for commercial users. This viewpoint has

been duly advanced by your president as a member of the Power Board. MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE. “The membership roll now stands at 75 exclusive of five life members and four honorary, showing an increase of 10 for the current year. This numerical strength in a town of 2000 population, thus compares more than favourably with that of the average chamber. My thanks are sincerely tendered to Messrs F. V. Ward (vice-president), F. A. G. Dunn (secretary), E. G. Dowrick, T. G. Given E. H. Leigh, L. Hawke, J. Huntly-Walker, and D. R. Mills, members, of the executive, for their loyal assistance in carrying out the duties devolving upon me; also to the hon. auditor (Mr. G. E. Fowler) appreciation is due. “The financial position of the Chamber is satisfactory, having regard to the unfavourable economic conditions prevailing, but it is evident that an increased measure of support in the form of more promptitude in the payment of subscriptions, also adoption of a higher scale of fees will be necessary if tho accounts are to be balanced without undue concern being occasioned tho executive. The credit balance as at the end of the financial year was the modest one of £1 7/2 with the assets estimated at £3 4/2 over liabilities. PERSONAL. “The Chamber sustained a specially notable loss in its personnel some months back when the late Mr. E. A. Goodger, J.P. (an ex-Mayor of Waipukurau and past president of the Chamber) passed away following upon a lifetime of public-spirited service. The death of Mr. Goodger represented the first break in our life membership ranks. Quite recently members shared with the general communitv of Central Hawke’s Bay the sorrow occasioned by the demise of Sir George Hunter, M.P., who had rendered loyal service to this district and the Dominion for a long period of years. From the late Member for the District the Chamber had always received the utmost courtesy. In the somewhat unexpected death of Mr. John Winlove,, J.P., a former Mayor, the business people lost a leading personality of long standing and one who can ill be spared from their midst. “To mv successor I extend hearty good wishes for a gratifying term of office.”