OAMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 12810, 30 March 1916, Page 5

OAMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Committee was; held Yesterday, there being present Messrs Rose" " (President), Hames, Hamilton, Ireland, Hodman, and Sumpter. Correspondence was read' from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce conveying their congratuations on the reforming of tlio local chamber; from "Lloyds/' London, and asking for information bearing upon the shipping and mercantile interests of the community for publication in "Lloyds" list the" official newspaper of the Committee of Lloyds. „ From Mr H. C. Campbell, Dunedin, in reference- to obtaining greater postal facilities between Dunedin and Oamaru. From various members of the Chamber interested in • retail trades of Oarnaru, expressing their appreciation of the fact that the Chamber had decided to include their interests in the work it has undertaken in the district. From the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture with reference to his intended visit to Oamaru. iY&iious matters were then dealt with as follow: —

Postal Facilities. —It was decided! to ascertain from traders whether it would be advantageous to them to have a mail mad© ui>_ for despatch by the 9.20 p.m. train" for Dunedin in order that the evening's correspondence may arriv« there in time for the commencement of business the following day. Mr Campbell, in liis letter, pointed out that the postal authorities in Dunedin had favorably considered; .the proposal there to have a special mail made up for Oamaru and Timaru, leaving at 12.40 a.m. and arriving here at .6.5 a.m. , . , Shipping Matters. —The complaints of shippers with reference to the service for northern ports had been dealt with by the Chamber. Shippers liacJ been, inconvenienced by the withdrawal of the Wanaka. and representations were made to the Union Steam Ship Company by the Committee, who explained the circumstances from their point of view. They pointed out that statements had_ been made in public that were not in accordanco with the facte, and the withdrawal of the Wanaka was caused by circumstances over which they had no control. _ They provided a substitute for her in the s.s. Karori, and assured -the Committee that providing sufficient produce is offering, and other things being equal. Oamaru will continue to receive similar facilities for shipping to those afforded at Timaru. With regard to the complaints made in reference to the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company s steamers failing to keep their engagements a good deal of correspondence took place with, this. Company, resulting in a special visit being made by Captain Munro, their representative, who had an interview with the Chairman, the result of which was that the company will continue their Oamaru service on the following conditions That a minimum booking -of 500 sacks >be made e(xcept in the case of the Calm, when there must be 750 sacks), and the booking must be definite; (2) that there must be no question of shippers transferring their bookings to any other steamer which may happen to call ahead of their boats. These conditions were duly submitted, to shippers, and they expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements made by the Committee. The Committee had also madte representations to the Comptroller of Customs with reference to providing a telephone at the Customs clerk's private residence in order to facilitate the work of shipping at the port, so much pr which takes place at night time. A telephone has been duly installed. Proposed Experimental Farm. —It was decided! to write to the North Otago Agricultural and> Pastoral- Association's Committee and the Waitaki County Council and urge them to appoint a strong representation of their members to attend the conference with the Minister in order that the views of the farming community may be placed, thoroughly before him. It was also decided to request , the Hon. Geo. Jones, and Messrs Lee, M.P., and Anstev, M.P., and) his Worship the Mayor to "be present at the interview with the Minitser. r ! It was decided that next meeting o* the Committee take place on Friday, 28th April, when arrangements will ho made for a general meeting of the Chamber to take place in May m accordance with the articles of association.