CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4164, 23 June 1875, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

An ordinary quarterly maefcing of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, -. in the Rooms. Bond street. The Chairman (Mr E. B. Cargill| presided, and there was a good attendance of members. . The CHAiasrAN stated it was not customary to prepare a written report for an ordinary quarterly meeting, but he would avail himself of this opportunity to mention, some matters of very great interest which, had engaged the attention of the Committee smce the last meeting. The Committee had had an opportunity of comening with the Commissioner of Customs (the Hon. Mr Reynolds) on the subject^ of increased facilities for vessels discharging ai. Port Chalmers and he was happy to say, with-, the very best results. They had received most valuable aid from the Collector of Customs and the Manager of Railways, who both came forward in support of the movement, and the Chamber was mainly indebted to these gentlemen for the success which had attended the movement Their object was to secure facilities for the more rapid discharge of sailing vessels in particular at the wharves in. Port Chalmers. They were aware that fer some years past every facility had been given, to steamers at the Port, by means of which, they were enabled to proceed with the discharge of their cargoes immediately on arriving alongside the Jetty. With saiW vessels, however, the case had been differeM^ and in some instances sailing vessels were unable to break bulk for a week or ten daysafter arrival, the principal obstruction beinff in the passing of entries. But as the mat ter now stood it was arranged that sailing vessels could pass a general sight entry —as in the case ot steamers—and go on discharging their cargoes at almost the moment they arrived alongside the Jetty. Ihe new system was in operation, on toe arrival of the last few ships, and met with: very marked success. There was a want of jetty accommodation, and so forth,, but* it was promised that this want should be provided for. He hoped they had now started upon a new order of things, which would piace their port on more thau a par with, other ports in the Australian Colonies as regards rapid facilities for discharging vessels, lnis was a matter of the utmost importance^ and if they could succeed in securing a good name lor their port in matters of this kind, it would probably lead to some reduction in the difference of rates of freight, which, had been to their disadvantage hitherto., The Committee also had communication with theH Government with regard to telegrams of the' arrival and departure of steamers, and' he" was happy to say the authorities had met' them on this point iv a very liberaispirit* and he hoped that, by taking advantage of the facilities afforded, they would be able to put up in the rooms of the Chamber the arrivals and departures of the more important of the coasting steamers, which would ha a great convenience to members of the Chamber and the public at large. The foU lowing was the letter he had received from. the Commissioner of Customs with respect to the discharging of sailing vessels :—. Government Building?. _ Wellington, 14th June,lß/5; Si it —Referring to my promise to the deputation from your Chamber, which I had the honour of receiving on the 14th ultimo, that on.; my arrival here I would take the question of re--laxnig the rule of deposits on "clearing sight entries" into consideration, I have now the honour to inform you that "the Collector of Customs will receive instructions by this mall to" take a guarantee from ships' agents, and only to demand the deposit from such as may be found. ' lax in fulfilling the terms of their "uarantee making the deposit the exception and not the rule. 1 need hardly say that the successful car- - rymg out of the arrangement will very much, depend upon the ship agents themselves, and the railway authorities strictly enforcing their rule or charging an extra rate per ton, per daycm all goods left in, or not cleared from, the Railway Sheds in due time ; and I have no doubt but that the Customs department will receive the willing co-operation of your Chamberm ensuring this result.—l have, &c, William H. Reynolds, Commissioner of Customs^' The Chairman, Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin. ' It should be mentioned that what was pointed out in this letter with regard to clearing the goods away from the sheds was a matter that the mercantile community? should look to on their own motion.-0£ course, althoagh facilities might be" offered"to them by the authorities, it would depend very much upon themselves to make the best use of them, and turn them" to good account. Consignees should do their pare, and strive toi clear away the good* as s.-.on a.s possible. Without the co.optratou ..f consignees in th;s matter, they would very iikely fall back

Into the old state of delays and harrassiDg | - ob&ti action to business. The following was j the letter he had received in connection with ' the telegrams :— Government Buildings, Wellington, 14th June, 1575. Sm—Referring to Mr J. S. [Webb's letter, addressed to Mr Lemon, dated 22nd ultimo, . and to the conversation I had with you respecting supplying the Chamber with" telegraphic notices of the arrivals. and departures of steamers, I have to inform you that the Department will be prepared to furnish you with telegrams notifying the arrivals and departures at such ports as you may desire of all or such steamers a-s you name at the uniform rate of od per telegram.—l have, &c, Wi i.v am H. Reynolds, Acting Telegraph Commissioner. The Chairman Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin. He thought the Chamber would recognise that these communications were eminently satisfactory. The next matter he had to bring under their notice was the proposal which was referred to at the List meeting of the Chamber to make the room in which they met available more largely for the purpose of an exchange. It was remitted to the Committee at the last general meeting; to take into consideration the question of opening the room during certain hours in the day as a Corn Exchange. They were awa*-e that the Superintendent iv handing over the room t>> the Chamber did so with the hope that it would lead to the formation of a proper Corn Exchange in Dunedin. This was a matter which was very soon likely to acquire much greater importance than in the past. When the railways were finished the producers of the Province could visit Dunedin more frequently, and it would be of great advantage to afford them an opportunity of meeting, at some recognised place, with purchasers. He hoped the resolutions he ■was about to propose would be the initiation of a regular Com Exchange, which would grow up to a position of as great importance iv this city as in other c:ties in older parts of ■ the world. Of couise, it was not supposed that thoseliving in Dunedin who ought to join the Chamber would take advantage of this proposal to reap the benefits of the Institution without paying the fees ; but there were a great many people in Dunedin •who could scarcely be expected to join the Chamber in the usual way and pay the ordi mry fees, but who might come in under this arrangement. Following in the same direction, there was another suggestion to the effect that the use of their Room should be made available to strangers visiting Dunedin and not resident in the Province, who might be admitted to the use of it for a limited "period on the introduction of a member. ■ Captains of vessels and others visiting the Port would find it a great convenience, and lie thought it would be of advantage to the public. There was another matter which he had to mention. It was known to members of the Chamber that the Government had • ainouuced that a new Insolvency Act was in course of preparation, and would be brought T)efore the Asseaibly at its next session. The Committee were of opinion that an Act of that s^rt ought to be submitted in draft, or, at any rate, ought to be sent to Chambers of Commerce, so that they might have an opportuuity of making any suggestions they might think proper. They, therefore, thought it would be well for tne Chamber to ; pass a resolution to that effect. The only •other business would be the election of a representative of the Chamber to act as member of.the Harbour Board, Mr Hugh M'Neil having been ballotted out at his own request. ESTABLISHMENT OP A UEVERAL EXCIIAXCE. The Chairman moved—"That the room be opened as a General Exchange daily, between the hours of 11 and 2 to subscribers ■ (not being members of the Chamber) of half a guinea per annum if resident in the coun-try~,-and two guineis if resident or having their placirofbusiness in Dunedin. That a circular containing above int'mation be issued to farmers and others in the country, and an ■advertisement to same effect inserted in the Witness, Southern Mercury, and Bruce Herald for one nio^th, pointing out the ad- ■ vantages offered by the arrangement in the initiation r-f a recognised Corn Exchange in Dunedin." The resolution was seconded bj Mr Brodkick, and agreed to. Oa the motion of Mr Reeves, seconded by Mr Wilson, it was resolved—" That the Chamber will recognize Wednesday and Saturday as the days especially appropriated for Exchange purposes, between the hours of 11 and 2." ADMISSION OF STRANGERS. The Chairman moved, and it was agreed to—"That strangers non-resident :n the Province visiting Dunedin be admitted to iihe Exchange Room on being introduced by - a member of the Chamber; such introduction to stand good for any period not exceeding two months." THE NEW INSOLVENCY ACT. On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved—" That it is highly desirable, in the interests of the mercantile community, that ■a copy of the new Insolvency Act which is understood to be in preparation by the Government shonld be placed before this Chamber, before the meeting of Assembly, that the opportunity may so be afforded of offering any suggestions with reference thereto." REPRESENTATIVE IN THE HARBOUR BOARD. Oa the motion of Mr Tew.slky, seconded • fay Mr Gillies, Mr Hugh M'Neil was unanimously re-elected to represent the Chamber in the Harbour Board. APPOINTMENT OF A LLOYD'S SURVEYOR. The Chairman said that, afc the request ■ of the Mayor, he wished to bring a small matter before the meeting. It wos with reference to the.appointment of a Lloyd's Surveyor at Port Chalmers. In answer to a letter sent to him, Mr Ramsay had recommended Capt. Thomson as the most suitable person for that appointment; and it was desired that the Chamber should endorse that recommendation. Mr Tewsley moved that the Motion be referred to the Committee ; but, before the motion w s put, most of those present left " the room, and the Chairman vacated the chair.