CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

North Otago Times, 23 May 1908, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

iTbo folloiving-.is.lLc repent to . lie read at the. annual.', .meeting of the above Chamber, to 'be held on Wednestlny noxt: "The of tho Onmaru Chamber of Commerce, in presenting thoir fourth annual report, desire to bring before the members the many subjects which havo received '-attention during .the past year. " Meetings.—JJuring the year there lu-M been 12 meetings of tho Committee, besides meetings hold by the holiday and other sub-committees', and a conference of the South Island

Chambers of Commerce, Following is n record of tho attendances at tho 12 meetings: R. W. Monson 9, W. H, Itosc 10, W. 11. Slccnson 10, W.. 11. Meek 8, R. Millignn \, W. Jn'rdino 7 A, W. Woodward fi, A. leaser 8, J. M. •Jones 10.

'.Access to Holmes Wharl.-This natter has boon conlimiously before 'our Committee (lining the past year, nul lins been strongly urged upon the jovermnent and Railway Department rho Knilwny Dcpnrtnicnt liiivo writler. Anting that an overbridge suitable foi passenger trnflic will be provided I'our Committee liave worked hard for this great convenience for the public, ind ha*le every reason to (eel plenswj ivith the result, Shipping Notices.—Your Commit (ee brought the matter of the propei placing and lighting of llic shipping notice board before the l'ost Ollico nu thorilies, with the result that tin board has been placed in the centra Mhy, and this lobby properly lighted This must be of great convenience t< those who have to consult the notio board, and also to the general publii who use the posting and private lcttc; boxes n't night. " Wool Sales.—This matter has bcei advanced somewhat, and the oullool is now more hopeful. The Auctioneers Association has gone to considcrabl trouble and expense and by sendinj out canvassers have obtuined tin promise of over 'IOOO bales, and th matter has now been placed before tin Wool] Buyers' Association, who linvi promised to consider the matter n their annual meeting. " Bonded Slores.-It was found thai some inconvenience to merchants wn caused by the closing of the bowlei warehouse at this port, and the mat ter was brought under the notice o the Government by your Committee Arrangements have been made allowing bonded goods lo bo shipped (ran other- Now Zealand ports to Onninru provided the . goods are cleared ii reasonable time after arrival. Tin"; seems to meet requirements. "Grading Port.-As it seems (ob the wish of mercliants and producers that Oamaru should be made a grail ing port, representations have beei made to the Government to have i grader appointed, " Long Distance Telephones.—Sinci last year the long distance telephone! between Oamaru and Tiin u ru am Oamaru and Dunedin liave been com pletcd and have proved of great vain lo the business people and genera public, to whom the efforts of yom Committee in this matter must b< most satisfactory. Your Committee consider that another effort should hi made to obtain some reduction in tin charges, and the time limit extended.

" C'oi'iisncks.-Tlio Railway Department having fixed the weight of grain at not exceeding 2001b per sack, under heavy penalty rate, your Committee arranged a conference of the South Island Chambers of Commerce, which mis held in the Wuitaki County Council Chambers, and was most successful, being attended by delegates from Inverenrgill, Dunedin, Tiniaru and Cliristchureh; the result being an unanimous resolution to recommend

the adoption of a <IG x 21} cornsaok as being most suitable for all purposes. However, as the by-law does not meet with the approval of the farming community, this matter may have to be reopened and settled by those most concerned, the question being one of colonial importance. " Conference of Ch.umliers.-A most successful conference of the South Island Chambers was inaugurated nnA carried out by your Committee, and it m resolved to endeavor to make this conferenco an minimi one, next conference to be at cither Timaru or Christciinreh, .during March, lilOil. " Factory Act.-As the matter of having to open on Thursday afternoon for the factory and Saturday for the shop part of business premises caused

great inconvenience to Oamnru trades, men, your Committee made strong representations to the Government tc

enable the half-holiday in Oamaru to ho on the same day lor both shops and combined • factories. This was granted, and is much appreciated by Oamnru tradesmen. " Haulage.—Tliis question has been fully gone into during the past year by your Committee, and arrangements made to have the Chamber represented at a deputation to (lie Prime Minister, The deputation consisted of Mr Yi'ntson (chairman Bluff Harbor Board), •Mr —: , the lion. G. Jones, and Messrs Duncan mid Mncpherson, M's.P, Nothing satisfactory resulted, and your Committee consider that this matter should be taken up by the incoming Committee, and further efforts made towards obtaining n reduction in these charges. " Country Train Seryice.-This important matter has been before your Committee for soino considerable'time fast, and resulted in n deputation Irom your Chamber combining will ono from tho residents of Duntroon, and Kurow waiting upon the District Trallic Manager (Mr Grant) and the local stationniaster (Mr Duncan), when the Railway Department agreed to run an extra train on the Kuiow-Oamaru branch twice a week, lcn\ing Oamaru on Monday and Friday mornings «t 6.15, awl arriving u t Onmnni nt Ut) |Vm, This arrangement was made to tho mutual satisfaction of both town and country. This service lias been oi great convenience to both country n nd town people, a source of revenue to the -Hallway Department, nnd also must be of great assistance to (lie railway in working the Oaumru-Kurow line.

''Gold Mcdal.-This medal was won by Gcorgo Istlnle, who is still carrying on his studies at the school.

" Technical Classes.—Mr J. Mailland •/ones was re-appointed l 0 represent your Chamber upon the Board of Management of the Oamaru Technical Classes Association, and tho usual donation of £5 was made by your Chamber.

" Land Mallers.-Siuce last year the Olekaikc Estate has been settled, and tht Kauroo Hill Estate acquired by tho Government for closer settlement, and tho tailing of Hakataramca is now being urged upon the Government, Tho acquisition of theso estales has been of immense value to the town and district of Oamaru. Balrud(ldry Estate, of 10,000 acres, has been sold privately, besides other considerable areas in the district, and the earth hunger seems to be still unsatisfied. '•' Representation on Harbor Board.— This question will require to be taken up by the incoming Committee, as legislation will be considered during the coming session on. this subject.

"-The holiday and other .sulKommiU j Ices have dona*'go6(h wt».'kic|iijfng{[-J.££ , t past .year, fln\uiil)eV v '' been referred.to aad,Eottledr-l>y>them , .;;.';J <} "As tho tfesho to'hbld Kmiiire Day ' instead of Prince of Wales' Birthday 1 seems to bo general, it was resolved.to refer this matter to tho annual meeting. . , . " Stamp Officer for . Oamaru.—Notwithstanding that this Chamber | strongly supported by the business people urged upon tlio Govomment tho necessity of an' officer authorised ; t? stump deeds, etc., l)eii)g stationed at Oamaru, the request was declined. "Harbor-It is gratifying to know that tho benefit resulting from tho erection of tho Holmes Wharf is now being fully obtained by the district. An interesting schodulo of shipments of frozen meat will bo found amongst the statistical tables at llio end of the report. " Membership and Financo'.-Tho membership continues satisfactory, there being flO members jon the roll and a balance on hand of. over £3O. " Thanks.—Your Committee desiro tij thank tho press for reports of meetngs, tho WaitaU County Council for use of hall, and the Government for the various publications received, ' " Conclusion—ln conclusion, your ; Committeo trust that seeing the good work done by tho Chamber in the i'mtorests of tho business people and district, that they will come into closer '' touch with the work of the Chamljcr > ml (vmsidornbly assist the incoming ' Committeo."