CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4452, 21 May 1875, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Chamber was held at 3 p,m., yesterday. Present— Messrs L. E. Nathtm (chairman), MurrayAyhsiey, Lane, Blakistoh, Booth, A. Duncan, Gonnial, Bird, D. Craig,' G. Gould, Macpherson, GosSj Dymock, D. Davis, Sawtell, Montgomery, Coates, Palmer, Saunders. Messrs A. Saunders. J. C. Morris, and F. M. Rickman, were' elected members of the Chamber. - . ,

The Chairman said that at the last meeting pf .the, Chamber he intimated that the deputation, appointed had waited on the Government respecting the running of a late train to and from Lyttelton. The Government promised to consider the'matter, and to forward, a reply tothnating their decision.' The Government, however, went out of office immediately afterwards, and the result was that no reply was gent. Under these circumstances, he had instructed the Secretory to write to Government on tfae subject. A reply had stating that, (he Government gfrb tßi mattrer duo CoaßlderttUon.

Mr Dymock moved the insertion of a new rule in,the place of rule 20, to read so that there should be four general quarterly meetings during the year—namely, in August, November, February, and May; the general meeting to be held in August in each year. Mr Dymock remarked that the old rule of holding monthly meetings was found to be very inconvenient to several members of the Chamber.

Mr Murray-Aynsley seconded the motion; and in doing so, remarked that if there was any business requiring immediate consideration between the quarterly meetings, a special meeting could be called.

Mr Sawtell considered that it would be a great mistake if the Chamber did away with the holding of monthly meetings. The motion was put and agreed to. ’ The Chairman said the next subject for consideration was the question of action being taken with reference to the sending of exhibits to the Philadelphia Exhibition, He had received a note from his Honor the Superin-, tendent on the subject. He (Mr Nathan) had since seen his Honor, who considered that the ; Chamber of Comtnerce, as representing the commercial.intefests of the province, should ! take action’in the matter. His Honor regretted that he was not a member of the' Chamber, and was therefore precluded from attending the meeting to explain his views more fully. His Honor promised, however, to be in attendance, although not a member, at bis (the Chairinari’s) request,. in the event, of his getting through an engagement which he had at 3 o’clock. His Honor the Superintendent had sent the following telegram to the Colonial Secretary : May 20, 1875.—H0n Colonial Secretary,— - Philadelphia Exhibition subject Will come before Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. I think this body will render material assistance. Please inform me up to what time exhibits 1 will be received. Will exhibits be absolutely restricted 1 ' to' raw products, on would you leave it open question for discretion j committee will probably be appointed.” His Honor the Superintendent’s Views on the subject were, that the Chamber should ap-: point a committee for the purpose of making the'necessary arrangements to hive the pro-j vince of. Canterbury: represented at the Philadelphia Exhibition. The Colonial Go-1 vernment was prepared to. place an amount on the Estimates for the purpose of meeting the expense incurred in having the various portions of New Zealand represented at'the exhibition in question; He would now ask the Secretary to read the correspondence that; had taken place on the subject. The Secretary then read the Hon the Colonial Secretary’s letter published in the morn-1 ing papers on May 11, and also the following’ circulars:—

“ Colonial Secretary’s Office, “ Wellington, Jan. 5,1875. “ Sir,—l enclose for your Honor’s information the copy of a letter which I have received from Sir Redmond Barry, the Chairman of a Royal Commission,'issued by the Governor of Victoria, to ascertain whether united action should be taken by all the; Australasian colonies to secure their proper representation at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1875.

“ You will observe that the Victorian Commissioners propose that a preliminary inler-| colonial exhibition should be held at .Melbofirnei at which a judicious selection niigbt y made of objects most suitable for ultimate exhibition at Philadelphia; with a view to their being forwarded in one shipment to, 1 America, so As to ensure their arrival to-! gether, and admit of their being placed simultaneously in one Court, . , “ It appears to the Government thpt greet, advantage might be gained for these colonies; by following the eoune. indicated in .the; enclosed letter, should tbe fen* be sufficient to admit of it. I should there-, fore feel obliged if yottr Honor would, at your earliest convenience, favour pie with your

opinion as to dft saohl^bolled 1 / tion of _ exhibit# being obtsifivd from* the f province vmder your" administration OIWiltT should theoo-operation ether provinoeebe secured, insure a worthy Representation of the cblony at the forthcoming Exhibition. . “ Ihavethe.honour; tobe.sir,' i

“ Your most obedient servant, "Daniel Pollen, “ His Honor the Superintendent ~ , of Canterbury.” ‘ J 1 “ Offices of the Victorian Commissioner , “for the.Pbiladelphia Exhibition of - - - “1676; J - “Melbourne, Nov. 12,1874.

“ Sib, —1. I do myself the honour to inform you that his Excellency Sir George Bowen has been pleased to issue a Commission addressed to the gentlemen foraed in the margin,* * giving (ue) authority to ascertain whether united' action should be taken by all, the Australian colonies to secure their proper representation at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876.’ . “2. The Commissioners have adopted the belief that it is the desire of the inhabitants of New Zealand that the resources of that Colony should be represented in America, the new field of contention, with the like success as has been heretofore achieved in Europe.

“ 3.' I may premise that it has appeared to the Commissioners desirable that an Intercolonial Exhibition should'be held preliminary to that at Philadelphia.- : “4. Representations have accordingly been made by them to the Government of Victoria. That Government have resolved to ask Parliament to grant £2OOO to erect buildings within thegrounda of theFubUeLibrary inMelbourne. These, with the Great Hall, the Rotunda, and the Annexe, will afford ample space for the purpose. £3OOO will be placed on the Estimates to meet the expenses of the Intercolonial Exhibition. The project is submitted as calculated to’conduce to, the accomplishment: of several important results. . , “5. The first great purpose to be served is to secure the combination of tbs five colonies already established on the Continent of Australia, and the co-operation of New Zealand, and to concentrate their united exertions, so as to impart to them the characteristics of a national movement.

“6. By such a consolidation of the welldirected energies of the people (exceeding now two millions of souls) an economy of administration would be gained; a judicious selection of the objects most suitable for ultimate exhibition at Philadelphia might be made; of raw materials, types of .the highest excellence would be assembled' in groups, distinguishing the zones of national production ; the most approved works which denote the direction in which manufacturing ability, skill, and genius have been developed in the various centres of industrial enterprise, would be brought together for comparison and exhibition. 7. A shipment of all of them at the same time for America from Melbourne, central and convenient for that purpose, would ensure the arrival of them together at the port of destination, and admit of their being placed in position simultaneously in one Court. Delays' whid\have occurred in getting ready different Courts at Exhibitions held in Europe, so prejudicial to the reputation for activity andpunctuality of certain classes of exhibitors,' would be thus obviated,and an impression would be created at Philadelphia more striking, more effective, and more substantial than could be produced by the independent efforts of each isolated community. 8. The Commissioners consider, moreover, that such united action would tend materially to promote that , mutual good understanding and those friendly relations, which it' is so desirable should on all occasions exist and be fostered by all Her Majesty’s subjects in Australasia.

“9. In submitting these views, the Commissioners present merely an outline of the project, the details of which will be enlarged upon when they are favoured with your reply. The leading proposition is, that a Preliminary Exhibition should be held at which should be displayed all' the objects to be sent to America; that representatives of each colony shall jointly decide on the shipments of the objects to be sent, and on the stops to be taken .to secure the greatest measure of success at Philadelphia, .each, colony bearing its own share of the expense of transhipment, and a proportion of the subsequent charges of administration in America.

“ 10. Authorised as the Commissioners are by the terms of their Commission to address themselves to you, I beg leave to aek that you will consider the proposed, undertaking, and that tk* OomniMioners niay be faVOUred at your early convenience with an expression of the views entertained by you and the members of the Government of New Zealand oh the subject, “11. If disposed to concur and lend the benefit, of your much valued aid, you may probably deem it advisable to appoint a Commission of gentlemen empowered to act with the Commissioners of Victoria, as also to invite contributions to the Intercolonial Exhibition, and make the necessary arrangements for the ultimate transmission of the objects to Philadelphia. “ I have the honour to be, Sir, “ Your most obedient servant, “ Redmond Baeet, “ Chairman. “ The Hon the Chief Secretary, “ Wellington, New Zealand.”

* Sir Redmond Barry (chairman), the Hon J. J. Casey, M.F.; the Hon J. F. Sullivan, M.P.; the Hon 0. J. Jenner, M.L.C.; James Munro, Esq., M.P.; John Mcllraith, Esq.; L. J. Sherrard, Esq.; G. 0. Levey, Esq., secretary.

The Chairman then said he thought it was unnecessary for. him to dilate on the importance of having the colony and the Province of Canterbury properly represented at the Philadelphia Exhibition, and he hoped the subject would receive that consideration at the bande of the Chamber which it deserved.

Mr Macpherson moved that the matter be referred to the Committee of the Chamber. He thought that it required a great deal of consideration.

Mr Montgomery seconded the motion. He thought it very desirable, that. New. Zealand should be properly represented at the Philadelphia Exhibition, .and he thought: the Chamber could pot do better .than refer the subject to' their committee, who might, if. necessary, associate with their labours Dr Haast and other scientific gentlemen, Mr Sawtell suggested that Messrs Montgomery, Cunningham; and Jenkins, might be asked to co-operate. ... Mr ‘ Montgomery said he would be most happy to co-operate, if he should' have sufficient time at his disposal. Mr Laning Coates said that there was every prospect of the Philadelphia Exhibition being a very great success. He might mention that full provision .would be made for the transit of passengers from Europe across the Atlantic, and that a model railway, combining all the most recent improvements, would be . laid between New Tork and Philadelphia, and that trains would start from New -York eveiy five minutes. The motion was agreed to.

Mr Macpherson said he had been requested by a merchant in the city to bring a matter connected with the railway before the Chamber. It appears that the merchant he referred to had from twenty to thirty tons of bar iron landed in Lyttelton on April IS, and he received the usual notice from the railway department on April 14. He at once commenced carting the iron, and continued doing so on April 15, when it was all removed from the station premises, yet he was charged storage for one week. He (Mr Macpherson) was also requested to call attention to another point. One of the railway regulations provided that goods should be sent through to port the day .before a steamer left, and the merchant he bad previously referred to sent a parcel of goods recently in accordance with this, but the steamer happened to be delayed a day, and a week’s storage was charged. He (Mr Macpherson) had recommended the merchant to go to Mr Lawson, the Traffic Manager; but apart from this he thought now that the railway regulations were being considered by the Government, with a view to alteration, the matter he hod referred to should ke brought forward publicly in the Chamber. ' ~ ~ The Chairman said be thought Mr Maopherson gave his friend good advice when he told him to apply to the Traflio Manager, He (the phsirmjm) had had'oooasion to apply to

■ww^j^ffiwl^^r-Bonvwiieiier-^^faora-uiing the railway. He did net think the, matter was one of which the Chamber could - at present take hotuw. . iMr Duncan, referring to the matter" of eteoting pdblicfhuild(ii|* in Christchurch, said he was hot aware that anything had been, dime in it. He belisved the Government did not intend to proceed with the erection of the publio buildings, and he therefore thought the; matter should not be lost sight bf by the [Chamber. 7/ Jv 'vas i v ' '!•! ..~ U ', L . .: The Chairman (wtd.’it ihad not been lost sight of. Acting ion . his • instructions,, Ahe Secretary had written to the Government, but as theletterwas only-dated May IBso#oisnt time had not elapsed to receive a reply. He did not quite agree with Mr Duncan, When:he said the Government did -not intend to., proceed with the erection of the. buildings. : He believed the GovernWeht were prepared -to agree to a reduction of the amount originally voted, but not to putrthe matter aside altogether. Mr Dunctttt eira thN Provincial Secretary, in his Financial Statement, said that t|iq, money, originally voted for pubjio buildings would not bo required during the current financial year, which ended March 81, 1876, ,and he thought that indicated that the buildings were not to be proceeded with. The Chairman read on extract from the Financial Statement rtfei ring to the vote for publio buildings, and remarked thathsaidoot think it would bear the interpretation put upon it by Mr Duncan, i The meeting then terminated - ; After the memborsshad dispersed, his Honor the Superintendent arrived, and informed the Chairman that hebad just received the following telegram Philadelphia Exhibition!-. ‘ j. ; .-. .

“His Honor the Superintendent, “ Christchurch, — . •« ’Will let you know latest date for Philadelphia Exhibition exhibitra* sobn'aSsettlfd. You will .see by .cteolsr that’ wishes to diacouragj’-misoellaneous exhibits. Exceptions may be;toads oa spedal recoihmendations of comufittw; hut »Tule, New Zealand exhibition tybe of raV products. /' OhAs. 0. Bowen.