CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 100, 28 March 1939, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

HOUSING PROBLEM DISCUSSED. The monthly mooting of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce was hold last evening, the vice-president (Mr C. AL Sargisson) presiding in the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr A. JHumphreys). Also present wore Messrs A. Orr (postmaster), A. C. McCorkindale I’. 15. Desmond, A. C. Biiist, Y. E. Smith. R. (1. Cromlis (stationmaster), E. 15. Cook, H. M. Simmonds and the secretary (Alr G- J. Fitzpatrick). , Mr MeCorkimlalc reported that he had received tlie Minister of State Housing (Hon. H. T. Armstrong), who

with him had inspected State houses in Feilding. I\lr Smith said he understood that in Wellington landlords were holding houses vacant rather than let them to tenants. The chief reason was that once a house became let the ownership virtually became tlie tenant's. In Feilding there were at least five houses vacant, the owners having decided to sell. Once a tenant was in a house it was difficult to get him out. In fact, Mr Smith said, some tenants would not allow anv prospective buyer to inspect the house. He had been refused on two occasion recently when he had wanted to show an inquirer a house that had been advertised for sale. Under such circumstances the landlord

could not be blamed for not letting his property. Mr Fitzpatrick said that of the State houses in Feilding few were let to persons with families, and he understood that the majority of the dwellings were occupied by newly-married couples. He doubled whether better bousing conditions would encourage people to go in for families. TELEPHONE BOOTHS. Mr Cook suggested that tbo time had arrived when additional public telephone booths should he provided. He appreciated the fact that in the past tlie department had stated its case, assorting that the service would not pay its way, and for that reason it had declined to accede to the request. Mr On* said the matter would need to be investigated from a departmental point of view. There might be justification for such a service. Mr Cook moved that the department be approached asking for a street

cabinet telephone at the corner of Kimholton Road and Derby Street, and one at the South Strect-Owen Street intersection. The motion was carried. RAIL CAR SERVICE. Arising out of information relative to a proposed rail car service from New Plymouth to Wellington and vice versa thrice weekly, it was mentioned that it was not stated definitely whether Feilding would be one of the slopping places for passengers, although it was possible that the rail car would stop at Feilding one way. T he chairman said that the timetable had not yet been decided upon. Air Desmond’ thought it was desirable to make representations now through the local stationmaster for the service to pick up Feilding passengers. Once the time-table was decided upon it would bo rather late to press for alterations. Mr Smith felt that Feilding had been too modest in its claims. Air Croudis agreed that if anything was to be done it should be done early. He ea.id, however, that it would bo necessary to put forward a strong case for Feilding. It was decided that the secretary write to the General Manager of Radways asking that Feilding be included in the proposed stopping stations. AUTOMATIC EXCHANG E. Air Smith brought up the time-worn question of an automatic telephone service for Feilding, and said he thought that the department should lie urged to replace the manual system, which lie asserted was out-of-date. He as a business man was not satisfied with the present system. The chairman: 1 agree that there is something wrong with the system in operation in Feilding. Air Fitzpatrick was in favour of asking for an automatic system if there was any chance of getting it, but he paid a tribute to the manner in which the attendants did their work. They wore courteous, and made every effort to satisfy the subscribers. Applications had been made in the past, but without success. The replies had always been that Feilding had one of the most up-to-date manual systems in the world. Mr Orr said that the manual system as in Feilding was bv no means out of date; 500 to 600 toll calls were handled daily, and at night sometimes fat stock buyers put in up to 15 toll calls at a time, and while the toll operator was recording those _ applications there might be a certain delay experienced by other subscribers. An effort was being made to supply subscribers with more up-to-date telephones. An automatic system would, no doubt, eventually be installed, but the time had not yet arrived. Oilier matters in reference to Post Office facilities were brought under the notice of Mr Orr. It was mentioned that there appeared to be a shortage of officials at'tlie money order counter during busy periods. Mr Orr explained the difficulty of providing the public with a service whereby a customer would not have to wait during busy hours. Everything possible was

done to eliminate delay as far as possible with tlie staff available. Mr Desmond suggested that a junior branch of the chamber be formed. In an expression of opinion the general view was that tlie present facilities were adequate. Young people were entitled to attend and become members.