FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 17 October 1908, Page 2

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

-The quarterly meeting of the Fox ton Chamber of Commerce was held in the r Secretary’s office on Thursday evening, Mr P. Henriessy (President) presiding, and the following members were also present:—Messrs Ross, Jenks, Phillips, Page, Perreau, Hornblow, Stiles, Bullard, Moore, Dr. Mandl, and the Secretary. . The president gave a "brief outline of the work done during the pkst quarter, which included the opening of the local telephone exchange from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; they had also succeeded in getting telephone communication with Wanganui, The greatest work done was in connection with the Foxton Harbour Board ; the Bill had been passed, but the clause endowing the Board with the wharfage dues had been struck out, thus leaving it without finance. They were still in communication with Cabinet on the matter, and he did not think anything further could be done until some definite reply had been received.

The Secretary reported that the money in hand amounted to 2s 6d, but against Ibis there we:e accounts to the amount of about £g to be paid, thus leaving a ciedit balance of a little over £ 6, The President pointed out that there was also the travelling expenses in connection with tl e Harbour Board still to be paid. This item would amount to ab' ut

Mr Ross wanted to know if the Harbour Boards’Act made provision for the expenses of forming a Harbour Board to be paid out of the revenue of the said Board. He considered that the President and Mr Moore should make out a statement of their expenses in this connection, and then, if it were allowed by the Act, they could be paid out of the Board’s funds. Mr Hennessy said that he looked to the Chamber of Commerce to pay his expenses. Mr. Page brought up the matter ot train and tram arrangements. He considered there should be two trains from Palmerston every day, that the train on Saturday should arrive earlier, and that tram from Sanson should run on* Saturdays.

The Secretary read a letter from the Minister for Railways, dated June 19, 1907, stating that at that time the business of the Foxton line was not sufficient to warrant the running of two trains every day, but should the business increase to v any appreciable extent, he would • be pleased to again consider the matter. Members present voiced the opinion that the time had now arrived, and it was decided that the president interview the local stalioumaster and get information as to the amount of business done during the past year, and reportsame at next meeting. T It was also decided that the secretary write to the Manawatu County Council asking them if they could arrange a tram to run on Saturdays to arrive at Foxton at xi a.m., and to leave again at 4 P- m - The matter of lighting the railway station and wharf with gas was discussed, and the foliowiug resolution was passed, “ That the railway department be asked to light the station and wharf with gas, seeing that gasworks had now been established in Foxton. The Chamber rose at 9.10 p.m.