WAITEMATA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15308, 22 May 1913, Page 5

WAITEMATA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

BETTER WHARVES WANTED.

At the monthly meeting of the Waitemata Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. Henderson (president) presided. • Mr. E. It. Sturmfels gave notice that' he will move at the next annual meeting: "That any person possessing a freehold'in the Waitemata County bo eligible for membership." .The object of his motion is to increase the membership, which is now confined to those persons carrying on business in the county. ''„".'. . . The extension of the telephone hours to midnight was referred to by the president, who said the concession was due to the chamber's efforts. He said that when the automatic telephones were established \ the 3d charge would practically be abolished, ae the radius would be extended from two to five miles. • The president expressed regret at the continued practice of the Devonport Borough Council in removing sand and shell from Cheltenham Beach. The matter of protecting the beaches was a most important one, and strong representations should be made to the council to discontinue the undesirable practice. Only that day when visiting the beach he had noticed a new excavation. It was ' decided, on .the motion of Mr. E. Roscoe. to communicate with the council, asking it to submit a report setting forth what supplies of sand and shell were available without interfering with the Waitemata beaches. The urgent need of extended wharfage accommodation at Dsyonport was brought forward by the preaident, who advocated that the Auckland Harbour Board be asked to provide improved wharfage. The traffic over the Victoria Wharf was great, as many as 16,000 passengers landing on race days, while 10,000 was a fair average to allow for holidays. Mr. J. C Biomfield mentioned that he had interviewed the chairman of the Harbour Board on the matter, and Mr. Gunson had stated that the board recognised Devouport's claim to attention so far as improved wharf facilities were concerned, and provision would b3 made in this respect when allocations were being made for .work to be done is. the next financial year. After considerable discussion it was decided to send a letter to the Devonport Borough Council asking that the Streets and Works Committee receive a deputation rom the chamber to make arrangements to present strong united representation to the Auckland Harbour Board for improved wharfage facilities.- ':■ The apathy of the Devonport Council in not seriously taking up the question of extending the borough toundarics was criticised by the president, who referred to the movement at Takapuna. The area of the proposed Takapuna Borough was 2000 acres, against Devouport's 640. If the poll was carried on the 28th inst., it would mean that Devonport would lose control of Narrow Neck Beach, a serious matter to .the health of the borough when its popularity 1 as a camping place was recalled. Devonport should have control and properly look after the adjacent lands. . The matter waff briefly discussed, but no definite decision < arrived at.