A DIP INTO THE PAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 8 June 1909, Page 2

A DIP INTO THE PAST.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. At last night's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr W. S. Hampson, Secretary, stated that he had lately come into possession of pome interesting docunments, that had been unearthed in a clearing-up in connection with the Nelson Institute. The" documents were records of the initiation of a Nelson Chamber of Commerce, and covered the first five years of that Chamber's existence. There was also the original seal, made of brass, and imported from Sydney in 1857. The first President of t.he Chamber was Mr A. Fell, who was ; followed by Mr Oswald Curtis. Tho entrance fee at first had been three guineas, and the annual subscript™ ! two guineas. The balance-sheet for the first half-year showed a credit o£ over £100. The Chamber had a fino library, and in 1857 had sent Homo for bookß. Many of these books 1 would be very valuable, and he hoped ■" \ to be able to trace some of them. Mr \ Hampson stated that, if he had time, i he would-prepare a paper for the next • meeting dealing with tho documents 'found. Mr C. Y. Fell mentioned that he 1 remembered the first meeting oi the ; Chamber, which had "been held in the , old Masonic Hall, in Trafalgar-street ■ (now a portion of tho Commercial Hotel).