COURTENAY PLACE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11171, 29 March 1922, Page 2

COURTENAY PLACE

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION

“NOT A SHOPKEEPERS’ ORGANISATION,” SAYS CHAIRMAN. FOR CIVIC PROGRESS. At the meeting of the- Courtenay Pinch Area Association, ’held in tho Paramount Picture Theatre yesterday morning, at which Mr \V. Stuart Wilson presided over an attendance of about 100 members, it was pointed out that the organisation was not by any means a “shopkeepers’ association.” This had been suggested by writers to the Press, but the conclusion was entirely erroneous'. Til© association’s aim was the advancement of civic affairs, and of the city generally, and it was not a parochial institution in any sense of the word. The chairman spoke of several tilings which, ho contended, should be taken up to improve the district aud the city generally. He felt that a it would ho "a- wise step to try’ and combat the disagreeable dust nuisance or to apply’ more effective measures in this direction. He held it to he a wise step, and urged that for the betterment of the area a fair proportion of the rate money should b© expended in this direction.

Regarding the question of the suggested amalgamation between the two chambers of commerce, ho thought it would be an advantageous step. Tlie idea of having one body attending to the need's of tile community was on© which appealed to him, and he trusted that the proposal would be carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS'/ , After the aims and objects of tho association had been outlined, the constitution and rules- were adopted, and the following were elected to office: President, Mr F. Townsend; vice-presi-dents, Messrs Stuart Wilson, B. Smith, E. M. Press; and E. M. Goodwin; committee, Messrs N. Aitken, W. J. Oody, J: W. Martin, F. Laws, A. E. Preston, R, Phalp, J. M. Samson, A. Williams, and A. Ramsay; treasurer, Mr W. J. Cody; -organising secretary, Mr W. It. Thompson. AN OFFER FROM AMERICA. “DEVELOP COMMUNITY IDEALS.” During the course of the meeting, the chairman read the following letter from a member of the California Development Association :

“Since our many cbnferences in. San Francisco, I have often thought of your problems in New Zealand. I have discontinued my association with the American City Bureau as ■of January Ist, 1922, and am now with the California Development Association, which is the State Chamber of Commerco of California, Since my connection with the Development Associar tion I have given added thought to the matter of service tot. New Zealand in the nature of tjie stimulation of your civic and commercial (organisations there. ' “Of course, as you know, the Development Association is a public institution, operated on a non-profit basis, while the American City Bureau is a private enterprise for private gain. Therefore, we have decided that it would be possible to render you the same service that I explained to you could be bandied under the direction of the American City Bureau, but inslead of private gain to the bureau, we are in a position to handle it on a bfisis of coot. In othor words, We can send you a campaign crew, let them organise your chambers of commerce, and render you service from California, or ypu could maintain your own organisation department by retaining these men. This service would develop between New : Zealand and California a closer association through community ideals and community achievements. The California Development Association .will be prepared to co-operate with you iu foreign trade through your chambers of commerce.”