TE KUITI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 172, 12 July 1909, Page 2

TE KUITI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

- ■ _ --- ... A meeting of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce was held in the "Chronicle" office, on Friday evening last. when Mr Boddie, president, occupied the chair. There was a good attend-

ance of members and keen interest

was evinced in the various matters brought up for discussion.

The Chairman submitted a report dealing with his recent trip to Wellington.

In connection with the railway matters Mr Boddie said he had interviewed the Hon. Millar regarding the position of the Te Kuiti railway station. He farther detailed the suggestions placed before the Minister regarding the acquisition of more land for yard accommodation, and the various matters necessary to make the yard thoroughly up-to-date, and in a position to cope with the large expansion that

was constantly taking place, in the town. The Minister promised to obtain a full report from tne Departmental officials on the subject, and he had some hope the'work would be put in hand at an early date. The President said he had also interviewed the Hon. J. Carroll, regarding the several matters which serious ly affected the town and district. One of the most important matters, as regards the town, was the question of making the Native-owned lands contiguous to the township, and which were becoming greatly enhanced in value by reason of the growth of the town,liable for rating, both for general and special rates.

The position at Te Kuiti was pointed out to the Minister who said he realised that special action was necessary in cases like those referred to. Mr Carroll said if a schedule was prepared showing the lands which came within the sphere of influence of the town, he would be prepared to bring down legislation to deal with the matter, and bring the lands under the provisions of the Rating Act. The Chairman said that on behalf of the Chamber he had extended an invitation to the Minister to visit Te Kuiti and the invitation had been accepted. On the motion of Dr Zobel, seconded by Mr Darrow, the President's report was adopted, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Minister with a view to making denfiite arrangements for the visit.

Mr Howarth pointed out that the Hon. A. T. Ngata would be visiting Huntly at an early date in company with the Hon. J. Carroll, and moved that the invitation of the Chamber be extended also to Mr Ngata. Mr Lineham seconded the motion which was carried.

The subjects to bring before the Native Minister on the occasion of his visit were then discussed, and the following were adopted:— The necessity of making Native land contiguous to townships subject to the provisions of the Rating Act. The roading of Native lands and the request that the Government should metal the Te Kumi —Mairoa road from the railway to the Mangawhitikau stream, seeing that the road for that distance passes through Native land. The desirableness of having the machinery put in motion for the acquiring of the freehold of township lands. The roading of Native lands already leased.

The equity of making provision f<r the owners of township lands to assist in meeting the interest on loans raised by the lessees for the improvement of the town.

That the office of the Native Land Board should be established at Te Kuiti.

That an early sitting of the Native Land Court be held at Te Kuiti. A committee consisting of the President, Mr Hine, and Mr Howarth was appointed to deal withthe subjects for deputation. The following were appointed as an entertainment committee :—Messrs Lusk, Fortescue, Broadfoot, Matthew and Steel.

The matter of removing the Reads Department Offices from Te Kuici was referred to, but in view of the fact that details of the reorganisation scheme were not yet made public it was decided to take no action at present.

The Chairman referred to the fact that three stone crushers were established on the Te Kuiri —Awakir.o rose. and said he thought two would probably be found sufficient. Ho suggested that an effort should re maue to r.ave one of the crusher- pa.ecu or. tito it Kumi- -Mairi-a road. 1: tm.s cou:r oe their proj'.-cte". .car. am: wou.g ce a boon to both tew:, am:: country. through the member for the district various South Island members v.-ho would be in Wellington during the coming session. The secretary was also instructed to write to the Hamilton and Auckland Chambers of Commerce with a view to securing the cooperation of those bodies. The Chair-

man stated that Mr T. E. Taylor had already promised to come to Te Kuiti curing the coming session, and one or r.vo other Southern, members would in The rules of the Chamber were adopts 3. New members: .Messrs'F. Lever and E. T. Lever were elected a; members. Vote of condole::oe : Or. the motion of the President it --as resolved that the Chamb-r record cr. its minutes a vote of condolence and r-cwet at the untimely death of the iate Mr Jer. Ormsby. and that a ietter. emfcodynig the resolution he forwarded to deceas-