Chamber of Commerce.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8155, 3 April 1906, Page 7

Chamber of Commerce.

Quarterly Heeling. Tfcfl quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night, Mr J, A. Nash, President, occupying the chair, There was a very limited attendance. RAILWAY TICKETS. The President was instructed to communicate with the authorities and point oub that it was not possible to obtain railway tickets from stations along the line unless passengors were on the station a quarter of an hour before the train started. Instances had occurred lately of passengers being refused tickets and ultimately being lined by the guard of the train for not having them. An amendment that tbe matter bo referred to tbe Levin Chamber of Commerce lapsed. EDUCATIONAL DISTRICT. The President brought up again the i very urgent necessity that existed for ] having a new educational district mapped out Palmerston as its centre. Ho pointed out the number of towns in adjacent districts that could be brought within the bounds of the new district, as for instance, Mangaweka, Rongotea, etc. He referred to the annual coufereaCe held in Wanganui every year, the joiht schools' exhibition held there aonually; these, together with the manufacture of various school requisites, all forming a very great financial behefit to town. He thought that, tradesjpeopJe here should bo in a position to compete in all these matters. Mr Nash pointed out that only recently the Wan-, ganui Education Board had voted £600 for' swimming baths in connection with the schools and we in Palmerston were not even able to get these. He thought the central position of the town and its population demanded a change. Why should we, he asked, be at the bidding of Wanganui in educational matters'? He thought the time had arrived when she question should be given serious consideration.

Mr Freeth pointed out that the matter had already been fully discussed by the Chamber in August last and he read the resolution carried at that meeting in favour of making representations to the authorities on the subject. Nothing had resulted from the steps then decided upon and he thought that nothing would come of it until the Government was prevailed upon to appoint a commission to enquire into the readjustment of educational districts. Mr J. M. Johnston approved of the idea, but thought it too big for the meeting to proceed with at present. He thought a special meeting should be held to discuss the best steps to give effect to the resolution already carried. He instanced a case that had come under his notice of books bound in Wanganui, sent down here, and sold to local scholars when they could just as easily have been compiled and bound down here. It was decided to hold a special meeting in accordance with Mr Johnston's suggestion, and the President and Mr Freeth were appointed to obtain all necessary information from local headmasters. The meeting then adjourned.