ONEHUNGA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13970, 28 January 1909, Page 7

ONEHUNGA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Tub monthly meeting of the OnehungaManukau Chamber of Commerce was held at Holmes* Hall last evening, when Mr. Juhn Rowo (president) occupied the chair. Waikato-Waiuku Canal: The secretary of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce wrote stating that the members of the Auckland, Oneliunga-Mauukau, Cambridge, and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce wore organising an excursion to the site q£ the proposed WaikUo-Waiuku Canal for Wednesday. February 10. The Waikato party would leave by the 10 a.m. train from Frankton, while the Auckland-Onohunga party would leave by the 10 a.m. train from Auckland, both parties reaching Mercer at 11.50 a.m. After luncheon at Mercer the party would leave by launch (provided by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce free of charge)., at 12.20, arriving at the landing-place on the Awaroa Creek (part of canal) at 2.30 p.m., thence proceeding by conveyance to Fukekohe, via Waiuku and route of canal. It was resolved that a dozen representatives be sent from the Onehunga-Manukau Chamber, also that Mr. F. W. Lang, M.P., Captain J. Neale, harbourmaster, ami the chairmen of the various local bodies contiguous to Onehunga be invited to attend. Ihe Auckland Chamber will appoint Us own delegates, while amongst those invited by the Waikato Chambers are: Messrs. W. F. Massev, H.J. Greenslade, W. H. Herries, and" W. T. Jennings, M.P. s, the Mayors of Hamilton and Cambridge, and the* chairmen of the surrounding County Councils and Town Boards, The president, Mr. Howe, considered that much good should arise through the excursion, the Waikato-Waiuku canal proposal being one. of the most important questions placed before the people of Auckland of late years. Postal Facilities : On the motion of Mr. Holmes, it was decided to thank Mr. H. W. Dawson, postmaster of Onehunga, for the, increased* postal facilities granted recently. There were now four letter-car-riers" and two deliveries daily, while the delivery area had been considerably extended in the Onehunga district. Early Train: The president stated that owing,' to the lack of an early train a large number of Onehunga and To Papapa workers experienced much difficulty in reaching the city in time to commence work at 7.30 a.m. A petition was now in circulation, and already over 100 names had been secured of workers willing to travel by a. train timed to leave Onehunga at 6.40," if such could be arranged, It was the intention of the petitioners to send a. deputation to wait upon the .Minister to-day in order to plainly state their case. It was resolved that the Chamber should do all possible to assist in securing an early workers' train. Social Institute: Mr. Bassett asked the president what he intended doing as Mayor in connection with his new library building scheme, while the Library Committee wished to ascertain what support might be expected for the following proposal: —"That, if arrangements for a building can bo made, the scope of the library be enlarged by establishing an institute to provide social, smoking, chess, and billiard rooms. The idea was to follow the lines of an athenteum providing more social and recreative opportunities, but barring card game*; and any form of gambling. It was suggested that in addition to the large reading-room, and a ladies' room, free to the public, there might be for members only, (a) a social and smoking room, "with papers, magazines, and writing facilities; (b) a chess room; (c) a billiard-room, with first-class table. The subscription proposed was one guinea per annum in advance to include subscription to the circulating library, for which 10s per year is now paid. A short discussion followed, during which an appeal to .Mr. Carnegie was deprecated, and at the finish it was decided to give the project every assistance, but to defer further consideration until next, meeting.

Tram Fares: Mr. Chas. Bagley moved, and it was agreed, that Messrs. John Rowe (Mayor). E. W. Burton (chairman, Onetree Hill Road Board) and himself, wait upon Mr. YYalklate, manager of the Tramways Company, with a view to getting better terms for holders of weekly tickets. and the reinstatement of the annual ticket system. Much dissatisfaction was expressed at the Tramways Company having diecontinued the issuing of annual season tickets, and also the use of 3s weekly tickets up till 8.17 a.m. The president contended that the company was doing all possible to draw people into the city, instead of providing facilities for them to' fettle in the suburbs. When complaints were made the manager simply smiled.