OMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13631, 28 June 1906, Page 7

OMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CFkOU Ooa Own CoRBigPOKDINT.) OAMARU, June 27. The annual meeting of members of thn Oamarii Chamber of Commerce v.'as held on Tuesday evening. The election of officers had resulted in the appointment of Mr ,T. Mailland .Tones to tho presidency, and ho occupied the chair at the ipeeting. and read the address prepared by Mr W. IT. Rose for the occasion, the latter being unable through illness to be present. Tho report showed lhat through Ihe efforts of the chamber an approach to tho now wharf for wheeled traffic had been secured from the Railway Department. Efforts had been unsuccessfully made to got the very high charge for haulage of produce from the lown sidings to the ship's side reduced. The Oamaru and Timaru Chambers were endeavouring to arranee a uniform scale of commissions, and there was every prospect of success. A Retailors' Committee had been formed, which was acting with considerable success in directions that would be of advantage to that section of tlip trading community. Bv the onertrv of the chamber a North Otaso bay would take its place in tho Christohureh Exhibition, and towards the cost a sum nf £160 had lieen contributed by local bodies, which it wns estimated would cover the cost, though disappointment had to be expressed that more enthusiasm had not been shown. The chamber closed its financial vear with a membership, of 53. and its credit balance had increased by £11.

The President referred in bis address to several points at length, more especially to the question of the railway haulago rates from tho town to tho wharf, also to tho fact thai the Railway Department was making a considerable profit out of the charge made for unloading trucks at the wharf. Tho report was adonlcd, and in the discussion that "nsued confidence was expressed that tho chamber's usefulness would be oven greater in the future than in tho past.