CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10423, 22 April 1897, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held at the office of the secretary Mr. H. Goulstone, Victoria Arcade, yesterday afternoon. Mr. B. Kent, president, occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs. John Reid, A. H. Nathan, S. Vaile, A. McCorquodalo, and M. A. Clarke. Sydney Conference,— consequence of notification recently received of the postponement of the Sydney Conference until the 18th May next, the President (Mr. B. Kent) has intimated that he will be unable to fulfil his engagement as delograte from the Auckland Chamber, and up to the present no other delegate has been substituted. It was decided to wait another week in order to ascertain if there will be a further postponement of the Conference. Auckland Exports.—The Chamber has procured statistics regarding articles of export from Auckland that it is considered desirable should be furnished in the English markets, particulars of which will be sent to the Industries and Commerce Department at Wellington, Constitution or Harbodb Boards,— Further information has been obtained regarding the constitution of the harbour boards in the South, the consideration of which was deferred until a later date, when the public have an opportunity of giving expression to their views, Delivery or Correspondence. — The question of the delivery of southern correspondence, via the West Coast, was discussed at some length. The Council agreed that while the chief postmaster's explanation regarding the transit from Onenunga to Auckland ia satisfactory, he shall be askod to consider some means whereby the delivery might be improved, the commercial community suffering through the late hour at which their correspondence reaches them.

Auckland Exhibition.— proposal to promote an Auckland exhibition was discussed and provision made for an evening sitting to perfect a scheme for its being carried into effect. A large amount of information in this connection has already been obtained from Wellington and Christchurch, and plane and specifications will follow in a few days. Telephone Charges.—The question of the increased charges in the telephone service was brought forward. The opinion was that, assuming the necessity for an increase in the charge made to the public, the country would suffer to the benefit of the city contributors, by whom the telephone is more frequently used, and it was decided to address the Government to this end. Proposed Rotorua-Gisbobnk Railway. —The president introduced the question of the proposed light railway between Gisborne and Rotocua, and after considerable discussion, it was decided to call a public meeting of the Chamber for the 6th May next, when all the city members, importers, and trading public generally, will be invited to attend, with the view of advocating the construction of the railway in question. Teleoraphio Communication. -The advisability of the introduction of telegraphic communication between Auckland and Wellington, via Te Kuiti, Waitara, and New Plymouth, was dealt with.' A strong feeling was expressed that this city should have the additional connection with the South without delay, as again and again during the many ' breakdowns that have occurred on the East Coast wires, Auckland had been completely cut off from all Southern news, and the matter is of great importance. . The Council decided to further discus* the subject at a meeting to be held next week, ana make all necessary repreMutations in the proper quarter.