Great Volume Of Work By Whangarei Chamber

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1948, Page 3

Great Volume Of Work By Whangarei Chamber

THE volume of work put through for the year was probably the greatest in the chamber’s history says the president of the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce (Mr K. Haslett) in the 46th annual report, to be presented at the annual meeting on Thursday night. Chamber membership is now 218, an increase of 68 on last year’s figures. This figure comprises 207 financial members, nine honorary, and two life.

According to the financial statement, accumulated assets now stand at £36/14/-. Surplus expenditure over income for the past year was £l9/5/-, the other liabilities being £75 to the Hugh W. Crawford Memorial Fund, £BO/3/- to the Aid for Britain Fund, and £57 to the New Zealand Commerce Journal subscriptions. Cash in the bank totals £240/17/6. Subscriptions totalled £294/17/-. and formed the main item of income. Also tabled was the financial statement of the Whangarei Junior Chamber of Commerce. It showed that excess income over expenditure during the year was £5 16/-, and the accumulated fund balance is now £6/6/-. Subscriptions totalled £29/5/-, donations to various funds were £34/6/-, ball takings were £9B/17/-, and members’ contributions to ball expenses were £37/14/-. Ball expenses were £136/11/-. Among the principal matters dealt with by the chamber during the year were the following:— Railway Transport Perishable Goods, Whangarei; Further representations to the Railway Department had been made and a considerable improvement had been effected. No further complaints had been received by the chamber and the retailers concerned were now quite satisfied with the service. Labour Shortages, Whangarei Waterfront; A special meeting was convened by the chamber. Strong representations were made to the minister concerned and the Waterfront Industry j Commission, with the result that the immediate difficulties were overcome. ; Since then the executive committee j had kept in close touch with the | Auckland Chamber of Commerce's fact j finding committee and was receiving full information regularly as to the conditions and difficulties oi the industry.

the New Zealand Geographic tfoara in September last and had now been moved to the committee in recess foi the purposes of defining the board' legal powers in connection with the matter. A further report on progress had been promised for an early date. Publicity, Whangarei District: The Whangarei District Progressive Society the chamber and the public relations committee of the Whangarei Borough Council, had spent a considerable amount of time on this matter. A brochure booklet was now being printed setting out the attractions ov the Whangarei borough. The _ chamber's maximum liability in this connection was £ls.

Fertiliser Works; Active representations at a number of conferences throughout the year had been made by executive members and the Government had now decided that fertiliser works for Northland would be situated at Whangarei. Membership Campaign:. This had been one of the major projects of the chamber for the year. Appreciation was recorded of the work of Mr W. L. McKinnon, as convener, and all members of the executive. The campaign was carried out from April 19 to 30 and was successful in obtaining 66 new members. Aid to Britain Campaign: This had been another major project which the executive was pleased to report had met with successful results. The appreciation of the chamber went to Mr F. Auld for his services as organiser J As a result of these efforts 75 members have enrolled under the scheme. The first consignment of 72 . parcels was despatched from New Zealand on October 29, and would reach England in time for distribution for Christmas. A further 70 to 80 parcels were being despatched this month. Hugh Crawford Memorial Fund: This project had now been finalised : and as disclosed by the accounts £75 j was held, pending instructions from the Mayor, the chairman of the original Hugh W. Crawford Memorial Com-1 mittee. The Term “Northland”: In conjunc- j tion with many other organisations, a j strong case was presented to the New j Zealand Geographic Board for the I official recognition of the name “North-! land” covering the area comprising] the seven northern counties. Progress had been made in this connection in I that the matter was considered by I