Increase In Membership

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1948, Page 4

Increase In Membership

In his annual report tabled at the conference, Mr Johnson stated that with seven affiliated chambers, membership strength had increased from 384 to 477 during the year. He congratulated the chambers on this achievement and commented that there would probably be a furthei substantial gain in the coming year as a result of a membership drive by the Whangarei chamber. Membership of the various chambers was as follows: —Dargaville 61; Kawakawa 30; Okaihau 30; Whangarei 141; Kaikohe 72; Kaitaia 65; Kerikeri 48. Principal subjects to which the association had given attention during the year were:— Improved arterial roading and state highways for Northland. Aerodrome for Dargaville. Lake Omapere hydro-electric development scheme. Aid to Britain. Land development in Northland. Road goods service Whangarei-Kai-taia. Usage of the term “Northland.” Rail car services to Northland.

Inclusion of Northland in the intineraries of distinguished visitors. Fertiliser works for the district. Publicity for Northland. Airways services. Considerable progress had been made in regard to the usage of the term “Northland,” the report continued. Official advice had been received from the secretary of the New Zealand Geographic Board that the question had been referred to a committee to consider the board’s legal situation and its power in this respect. A further report would be made at the earliest possible moment. In regard to the Hugh W. Crawford Memorial Cairn project, Mr Johnson reported that the association-part of the scheme had been completed and the sum of £75 had been raised. The Mayor of Whangarei (Mr Jones) who was chairman of the committee set up for the implementation of the project, had been advised of the associations’s position and had been asked for instructions for the disposal of the sum collected.