DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19257, 22 August 1924, Page 5

DUNEDIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. STRIKING ADDRESS BT PRESIDENT. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was held in the Savoy Lounge last night, when the president (Mr Peter Barr) presided over a large attendance of members. THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, Mr Barr said ho did not propose to spend much time discussing the report, which spoke for itself n-s a record of the work of the chamber during the year. As he had not infrequently found occasion to remark, if those members of our mercantile community who entertained and expressed doubts as to the usefulness of the work done by the chamber would carefully lead the reports which had been regularly published since its formation in 1857, they would be bound to admit that a much had been don© during these years in the interests not only of trade and commerce but of the city and province in ■which we lived. The work of the past year had been of the usual nature, but ho would like to say that the interest taken in it by members of the council manifested not only in the very regular attendances at the monthly meetings, but in the consideration given to the details of committee work, had been as great as, if not greater than, that f in any previous year. He expressed his warm appreciation of this, and the belief that it was to some extent at least a result of the system of the retirement of a third of the members yearly, which, while it led to when members such as those retiring this year must go, helped to keep up the freshness of interest which resulted from a regular infusion of now blood. A UNIQUE RECORD. Mr Barr then referred to the fact that ivir Walter Gow, who now retires, hud established a unique and very line record. He was on the first committee of the present chamber when it was established in 1387, and out of the S 7 years of its subsequent history he had been in office as president, vice-president, or member of the council for no fewer than 27 years. He was sure that Mr Gow’s active interest in the chamber’s work would still continue. ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

Mr Barr, continuing, said it was his pleasure, with Messrs Shortt and Waters, to represent Dunedin at the annual meeting of the Association of Chambers held in Auckland in November', and ho wished to place on record their very warm appreciation of the way in which they were made welcome by the Auckland Chamber. Their stay in the northern metropolis was most interesting and enjoyable, and special arrangements were made to lot them see the city and surroundings and the numerous public works of which the Auckland people were very justly proud, including the magnificent now Prince’s wharf ana the great dam built in the Nihotapu Valley in connection with the city’s water supply. The business transacted at these annual conferences was of great importance, and there could be no doubt that the resolutions passed carry much more weight with the Government and the business community than could those of individual chambers, but he believed that another most valuable result accrued from the bringing of representatives of commerce from the different centres into intimate touch with each other, and enabling them to loam something of the progress being made, and the problems being faced, in other cities and districts than their own. THE. EXHIBITION. He wished to mention first the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, to be opened towards the close of 1925. As the report indicated, it had received a large amount of consideration during the past year, and if the project were to be the success that all must desire, its affairs would call for more attention still during the year upon which we had entered. He need not refer to the initial controversy regarding the scope of the Exhibition, except to say that as time passed he was more than over convinced that, for reasons which were very fully explained at the time, the decision to make it international was wise. He believed, too, that developments at Logan Park were satisfying shareholders and the public, that notwithstanding initial difficulties a wise decision was made also in the matter of site. The one urgent matter was that the several local bodies concerned should expedite settlement as regards the proposed broad highway in the interests of the city and the Exhibition. He had travelled throughout New Zealand more than once during recent months, and everywhere found that when Dunedin was spoken of the word “ Exhibition ” naturally followed. A growing interest was being taken in it, and the peaceful penetration of the north by Otago people during the past two decades was largely assisting the matter. They may safely depend upon their exiles in the north to boom Dunedin for 1925. The feeling that existed in the earlier stages on the question of scope had practically diet! out, as was most generously manifested in Auckland at the Chambers Conference, unless it was with a small section of manufacturers in curiously enough, their nearest neighbouring city. An immense amount of work was being done not only by the directors at long meetings held at least once every week, but by numerous committees. Let Otago people who still entertain doubts as to the success or wisdom of the project now recognise that, without question, it was going on, and that for the credit of the dominion, and not merely of their city, they must make it a huge success. If all Dunedin citizens joined in adding their share to the substantial amount already subscribed locally towards the required capital, and in assisting whole-heartedly, the Exhibition would surely be such a success as would astonish New Zealand, and more epecially some who had entertained the foolish idea that Dunedin’s day is past. In any case, tho Chamber of Commerce was heart and soul behind the movement, and ready to assist it to the utmost. Let them send out the slogan north, south, and overseas: “Remember Dunedin, 1925-26.” SHIPPING. Tho council had hod under almost constant consideration the unsatisfactory position as regards the shipping services of the South Ishnd. There could be no question that the trade of their port had suffered considerably during recent years through the curtailment of both coastal and overseas shipping. Numerous conferences with other bodies and joint representations to tho several shipping companies had resulted in little beyond promises received. The resumption of tho Bluff-Melbourne service bv the Mooraki was certainly an improvement, but they were still a very long war from the old days of rogular steamers running between here and both northern and Australian ports. They were not blind to the difficulties by which tho shipping companies were faced, but they were very far from satisfied that considerably more frequent and regular services could not bo arranged. There were many aspects of the matter which required consideration, and it had now been decided that a conference would shortly be held in Dunedin between representatives of tho South Island Chamhera of Commerce and, the Importers’ and Shippers’ Associations, when it was hoped that proposals might be formulated that would commend themselves to the larger conference of New Zealand chambers, and finally had some effect when laid before tho shipping companies and tho Government. The matter would be considered very thoroughly, and ho fully expected that strong united action would follow. MAIL CONTRACTS. Unfortunately, tho doubts expressed by the Postmaster-general, referred to in last year’s report, as to the possibility of securing a flat rate of freight to and from tho four main ports as a condition of Pacific mail contracts, had been only too well justified. It was now a considerable lime since the Vancouver and San Francisco mail contracts expired, and so far no intimation hod been made of either renewals or fresh contracts. Tenders were invited for services for five years, with alternative tenders providing for the flat rate which they desired. He was now informed by the secretary to tho department that he could hold out no prospect whatever of securing this, as no shipping company would consider the question. Members of the retiring council felt strongly that if this were so it should not be accepted as final, and it would doubtless bo taken up again in the new year, PREFERENCE SHARES AND COMPANY DEBENTURES. Some four or five years ago, not under stress of bad times, but under tho excitement of boom trade, they were invited by glowing prospectuses issued by trading companies in the dominion to advance money at very attractive rates of interest for the expansion of their businesses. The advances were made against bonds or debentures, which in some eases placed the holders, without any specific security, in a position oven worse than that of an ordinary creditor in that payment was deferred for a term of years. He did not now wish to refer to tho warnings which were then uttered regarding the danger of putting money into such investments, nor to the ample proof that had been given

of late of the justification for such warnings, but io the fact that proposals for compromise have already been made by some companies. Of course it went, without saying that many companies which took on these burdens of additional capital or liabilities, and bad since had to face very serious losses, were eanying the load without any suggestion of endeavour to avoid their engagements, and would continue to do so regardless of consequences. In not a few cases, however, the holders of these bonds or debentures, and, more serious still, oven the holders of preference shares, bad had submitted tor their acceptance proposals for varying and cancelling certain of their rights, in order to avoid morn could not help feeling that this was a position which would involve much more serious consequences than the mere monetary loss to tiio holders of either bonds or shares. It certainly did mean that mercantile houses would for years to come find it exceedingly difficult to raise money in either of these forms even when what appeared to be ample security was oliered. But more serious still was the fact that it. indicated a departure from the insistence upon the sacrcduess of a contract which had always been the glory of British trade and commerce. He fully recognised the difficulties of the position in such cases as had arisen as the result of a mistaken course of action taken some years earlier, and sympathised both with those in control and the suffers who had in most cases decided to chose what to them now appeared to bo the lesser of the two evils. He trusted that in every such case the steps taken would result, in benefit to all concerned, but none the less he viewed with grave concern anything that even suggested the damnable .doctrine that contracts if unprofitable should not be carried out, even it the} might involve long years of struggle. In a recently published statement of “Principles of Business Conduct,” adopted by the United States Chamber of Commerce we find the following, which was directly to the point: “Contracts and undertakings, written or oral, are to be performed in letter and spirit. Changed conditions do not justify their cancellation.” “Gentlemen.” said Mr Barr, “wo may not, admire the business methods of certain Americans, but wo arc sufficiently Biritiah, and r consequently sufficiently honest, to recognise that tee United States Chamber is right in its statement. lam proud of the justly high re; citation and standing of New Zealand commercial men, and just for that reason I am the more anxious that we should not have them sullied by any departure from the principles tipon which in general British trade has been built up.” WORLD PROBLEMS. There were, continued Mr Barr, several others matters of great interest at the present time to which ho would like to refer. When one thought of the present position of the trade and commerce of the world, questions of the utmost complexity such as Empire Preference and the mysteries of currencies and exchanges demanded consideration. Even if he felt competent to deal with the-" however, time would not permit, but. they must all agree that there never was a time in the world’s history when so many pressing problems were clamouring for settlement. Prior to the great catastrope of 1914-1918, commerce, economics, and politics were usually treated ea entirely separate affairs onlv distantly or theoretically affecting each other. Since our emergence from that “horror of darkness,” everything had been inextricably mixed, so that, views or doctrines which previously wore accepted by the business world ns unalterable laws were found to be in the melting pot, and the man was to be envied who felt that, he could hold firmly to his convictions regarding Freotrade or Protection, the relations of Capital and Labour, and the relative importance of Empire _or international affairs without question. He would not pursue this line of thought further except to indicate in a few sentences how it seemed to him that commercial men should view the position, for all of these things had a direct and vital bearing upon the interests of commerce, and were consequently the business nf Chambers of Commerce. It was clearly their duty to take an intelligent interest in them, and he would suggest that they should encourage an optimistic yiew. The process of shaking and upturning was not pleasant, but often most salutary. It was good that sometimes they were compelled to look at what they thought were fundamental principles and test them, and it was good that men should ask questions and be dissatisfied till they found the correct answers. Out of all the present turmoil good would undoubtedly come if it meant, that- they would discard hoary Hut mistaken beliefs and practices, and build their business, economic, and political relationships on a surer foundation. The war had, of course, terribly affected trade and commerce, and amongst other things they were finding that the relations of business and politics were much more intimate than they had supposed. This, too, was not because commerce had desired to enter into politics, but because the politician today was constantly interfering with business. What else did it mean when they found such a thoughtful student and responsible politician as the Minister of Trade and Commerce speaking of further State competition as a means of holding down prices, rather than prosecution under laws enacted for the purpose of preventing exploitation of the public? They were justified in asking how far this matter of State interference was to go, and whether it was right in principle. It might bo considered a “counsel of perfection,” but he submitted that the true solution of the difficulty was to bo found in the conduct of business so as to make restrictive legislation unnecessary and to merit and inspire public confidence. Ae against that, it seemed very like.a “counsel of despair” to say that the Government must enter into competition in this or that line of business because it could not be kept on the straight path by legislation. Business combinations might become engines of oppression’ and exploitation which were a curse to any country, and if so should bo sternlv suppressed, but they might bo conducted so as to render better and more economical service than was possible for the small organisation, and thus benefit the community. The late Right Hon R. J. Sodden used to speak of Chambers of Commerce as “Tory institutions.” He was mistaken. Political views were never a tost of membershjp. or in any way questioned. Nor were they now, although chambers wore being increasingly compelled to make an interest in politics. That, however, did not mean that they must touch party politics, and thev must ab ways carefully confine themselves strictly to matters which affected commerce, irro sportive of the party that might be responsible for the legislation under review. He was utterly out of sympathy with the opinion that was being far too often expressed by politicians and others that more and even worse wars were inevitable in the riot-far-distant future? He was not prepared to go ns far as General Sir Baden Powell when he said recently that “the Great War was a disgrace to us all.” hut it was a disgrace to those responsible for it. whoever they were, although an imperishable glory to those who died and suffered from a sense of duty But he (Mr Barr) much misread the position if the time was not fast approaching when the people would have a say as to war, and the League of Nations would have a bigger say than many supposed. There was a spirit abroad which was going to make it very difficult for either unscrupulous financiers and traders or ambitious politicians to plunge the world into another holocaust, and which, while not lenying the necessity for reasonable preparation. hold that one of the most likely methods of bringing about a conflict was to be constantly talking about it and anticipating it. “The foolish things of the world” might yet in this “confound the wise, and (bo weak things of the world the things which are mighty.”

POSITION OF IJUSINKSS TO-DAY. As ho viewed tho position of business to-day there was also another spirit abroad which engendered optimism notwithstanding all tho confusion and uncertainty. There was an increasing willingness to recognise the rights of “the other fellow,” and a growing desire to bridge distinction of class and occupation. Men were more willing to-day to value their fellows according to what they are rather than what they have, and while this may and did at times lead to misunderstandings and trouble it was good. It was seen in the existence of Rotary and similar clubs which existed to establish fricudsnip and cordiality between men of different trades and profession!), and are based upon the highest ethical principles such as “service above self.” It was not sufficient to point out that these principles were not always lived up to. or acted upon either by some clubs or by their individual members. Tho same mignt be said of all associations and

all men at times, but it could bo only good that organisations encouraging such principles were in their midst, and, surely leavening the business world. He quoted from a recent issue of the Hotarian. “The function of business is to provide for tho material needs of mankind, and to Increase the wealth of the world and the value and happiness of life. The foundation of business is confidence, which springs from integrity, fair dealing, etlici ent service, and mutual benefit.” These words will bear study.

Henry Fort! had said that “what we want is a better recognition of the human element in business,” and from the record of Ins unparalleled success as set out in his remarkably interesting book “My Fife and Work,” he seemed to have acted upon that principle. The fact that it was becoming more recognised that the permanent success of any business depended upon it efficiency of service, and upon a recognition of the legitimate rights of employees not only as regards wages and working conditions, but as men and women dependent upon its progress, was one of the most hopeful signs of the present outlook TRIBUTES TO MKMBEBS.

Personal. —He feared that he had occupied altogether too much of his hearers' time, but asked their forbearance for a coil luffing paragraph of a more personal nature. It was 33 years last month since he first became connected with the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and he had thought until a few days ago of departing from the usual custom of reviewing the year’s work, and that it might bo ariaoprinte and possibly more interesting were he to attempt to address them upon the difference between the conditions of trade and commerce in 1891 and those of to-da.y, and Cie enormous changes which had taken place during the intervening third of a century. When, however, he sat down to write, one matter after another seemed to require attention, and rightly or wrongly, appeared to him to be of pressing importance so that he found there was no space left in which to carry out the original intention. At the same time lie thought he should tell them that he had been looking over some of the earlier reports, and he wished before closing to express great pleasure in the fact that they had still as members of the chamber six gentlemen who were on the roll in 1891—Messrs G. L. Denniston, Janies Edgar, ,T. M. Callaway, Walter Gow, A. S. Paterson, and Sir John Roberts. They all regretted that many whose names appeared in these reports were no longer with them. Personally he could have wished it possible for K. 11. Horace Bastings, Dngald MTMierson, C. S. Owen, and others who had crossed the border to have been. there thav, night. But, such regrets were useless. They had with them tried and proved friends of many years. Mr Denniston was the First president, elected IBS7, and Mr (now Sir) John Roberts his immediate successor. He had referred to the splendid record of service to the chamber of Mr Gow. Reference would be made at a later stage of the meeting to the years during which Mr Callaway acted as hon. solicitor to the chamber, and ho found from the records that he had been a member of the council for no fewer than 26 years, only one year less than Mr Gow. Mr A. S. Paterson was president in 188". It would be his pleasure at an early meeting to propose that Mr Paterson should have the honour of life membership conferred upon him, so that his name might appear at the head of their list along with those of his three colleagues who had spent so many years in the service of the chamber and of the community it represented —Messrs Denniston. Gow, and Callaway. He wished to pay a sincere tribute to four men who had been an example to them all of business integrity and capacity, and he expressed the hope that their membership of the chamber would be continued for years to come. EARLY HISTORY. Some of the earlier meetings of the chamber, said Mr Barr, must nave been fairly lively. He noticed that at the annual meeting immediately following the close of ihc last Exhibition in 1390 the late Mr Donald Reid—doughty champion of the rights of Otago—and their friend Mr Walter Gow evidently had an enjoyable time. • With Messrs A. O. Bcgg, Keith Ramsay, J. M. Ritchie, J. T. Mackerras, and others (names reminiscent of many a good fight) they had been debating the merits of a Harbour rating district (still, by the way, worth discussion), when Mr Reid said that he “thought that the members of the Harbour Board, though they were not all Solomons, were not devoid of a little common sense.’’ He characteristically “despised little details when great principles were involved.” To this Mr Gow replied that it was “evident that Mr Reid did not know exactly what he was speaking about.” It was prophetic of many a debate since, and their friend Walter Gow was “still going strong,” and. like a true Presbyterian, still occasionally “raises an objection.” BRIGHT OUTLOOK AHEAD. The outlook at the close of the chamber’s year was much brighter than when It opened. There was reason to believe that the European clouds were lifting, thanks largely to the efforts of a Labour Prime Minister. If ho succeeded where other had failed in bringing about real peace between the Powers of Europe his name would go down into bistory as a oenefactor of the race, and here in New Zealand they would rejoice in the restored stability of the markets upon which they depended, in the prosperity of the peoples of the Old World, and especially of the Homo Land which was the heart of the Empire. Might it prove so! He had pleasure in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet.—(Loud applause.) “DUNEDIN’S LITTLE VENTURE.” Mr P. M. Shortt, in seconding the motion, said he was sure they would agree with him that the president was to be very warmly congratulated on the extremely interesting and instructive address he had delivered- Mr Barr impressed them that he truly spoke with some knowledge on such matters as taxation and the moratorium, and it was to he hoped he would equally impress members of Parliament, He took the opportunity of congratulating the secretary (Mr Hercus) on his first annual report. Members would, he was sure, agree with him that the report was fully up to the standard so long set by their late secretary and present president. (Mr Barr). It was a very excellent resume of the matters discussed and attended to by the council of the chamber during the past year. The report bristled with many matters that required the unremitting attention of the chamber, and that affected the welfare and progress of their fair city and province, and the strongest influence should be brought to bear with a view to furthering the objects aimed at. He would just like to say a few words on the attitude of some of the North Island newspapers in regard to the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition. It was to be regretted that some of them were not broad-minded enough to realise that a successful exhibition would be of immense benefit not only to the city of Dunedin but to the dominion ns a whole, and that the more it was advertised and boosted in all the newspapers in New Zealand the better chance it had of being a success. He mentioned this matter for the reason that only a few days ago it had been brought to his notice by an American firm's representative who had spent some weeks in New Zealand. He had been instructed by his principals, who had a large business connection with the ffo-

minion of New Zealand, to investigate matters in connection with the exhibition with a view to the possibility of his company making a display of its manufactures. While in Wellington he happened to meet a reporter who was connected with one of the leading newspapers, and on expressing some surprise at not having seen mention of the exhibition in the, newspapers during his stay in the North Island he promptly received a reply to this effect: “Oh, that’s only a little venture of Dunedin’s, and nobody takes much notice of it.” It was much to be regretted that the newspapers in the North Island had not so far given the exhibition the publicity it should receive. They were overlooking tint fact that probably 95 per cent, of the overseas visitors to New Zealand passed through either Auckland or Wellington, and if, as he believed would lie the case, they got. a big accession of visitors from overseas who were specially attracted by the exhibition their North Island friends would reap a direct benefit, and that benefit would be measured by the extent to which they advertised the exhibition their own neighbourhood. It was a short-sighted policy on their part, and it was to bo hoped they would take a different view now that really solid progress was being made with the exhibition buildings.—(Applause.)

Mr A. Ibbotson congratulated the chairman on his remarks regarding the moratorium. His summing up of the position seemed to him to be exactly as it was. It was a very able summing up, and his remarks regarding the debenture issue were also much to the point. Mr H. C. Campbell referred to the absorption of the Union Steam Ship Company and the New Zealand Shipping Company by a larger combination. This combination, he said, bad proved detrimental to the South Island. He spoke of the conditions prevailing in shipping in the old days, and said ho hoped that nowadays there was a Itetter understanding between the men and the companies. He hoped that tho conditions of their port would gradually improve, and that it would soon get back to the position it, occupied many years ago. Mr H W Jones referred to the excellent work of the chamber during the year, and spoke of the fine conclusion of that work :n the magnificent address they had heard that night. If, was one of the most, interesting addresses they had ever listened to. Ho felt sure they felt honoured in having Mr Barr as their president, and that they had done the right thing in asking him to stand for rc-election this year. Tho address they had heard would be long remembered by those present that night.— (Anolause.) . The motion for the adoption of the report was then put and carried. OFFICE-BEARERS. Mr Somerville moved tho re-election of Mr Peter Barr as president and Mr F. M. Shortt as vice-president. In moving the re-election of Mr Barr as president Mr Somerville said it had been the unanimous desire of the council that ho should ho reappointed. Last year they had marked their esteem for Mr Barr, after his 32 rears of faithful service as secretary, by appointing him their president, and during the year he had done so well that they were unanimous iff requesting him to stand again.—(Applause.) Messrs Johnston M’Ara, B. Midgley, David Phillips, and J. E Wheeler were elected members of the council. Messrs Mcodie and Smith w'ere appointed hon. auditors. HONORARY SOLICITOR. Mr Walter Gow then moved that the members of the chamber record their warm appreciation ot tho services rendered by Mr J. M. Galloway in his position of hon. solicitor ot the chamber for a period of 30 years and that the resolution be conveyed to Mr Callaway. In moving tho resolution, Mr Gow said Mr Callaway was on the chamber when it was inaugurated and had done all the legal work in connection with the inauguration. All this was performed in a purely honorarv capacity. Mr Callaway has always been a genial gentleman, and did not put on those extraordinary airs of superiority not uncommon among lawyers.—(Loud laughter.) They were entitled to recognise the splendid services rendered by Mr Callaway. Tht motion was formally seconded by Mr H. C. Campbell and carried. Mr Gow then moved the nomination of Mr H. Brasch as Mr Callaway’s successor as hon. solictor, and in doing so eulogised his services as a member of the council. Mr F. Z. Moore seconded the resolution, which was carried amidst applause. Mr Brasch suitably returned thanks. CABLE OF CONGRATULATION. The Chairman said that the previous day was the golden wedding day of Sir George and Lady Fenwick, and that Mr Shortt would move a motion to mark the occasion. Mr Shortt said he would move—“ That a cable be forwarded from this meeting offering congratulations to Sir George and Ladv Fenwick on the attainment of their golden wedding.” They would, he was sure, agree witn him that it was fitting that their chamber should send this greeting.—(“Hear, hear.”) Sir George was one of their most prominent citizens, and he had taken an active part in all civic and social matters affecting their community. He had also taken an active interest in the . Dunedin Chamber of Commerce for many years, and he had been a president of the chamber. He had represented them just a few weeks previously at the tenth conference of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire in London. They all knew him as a man of a kindly disposition and one who would appreciate any message from that meeting. Thev all realised that as they grew older they a preoiatecl little expressions of goodwill from their fellow-citizens, and Sir George Fenwick would, bo was sure, deeply appreciate a little message like that proposed from their meeting.—(Applause.) Mr D. E. Theomin seconded the motion. He agreed with Mr Shortt that it behoved their Chamber of Commerce to recognise the occasion of tho golden wedding of one of its past presidents. Sir George, with his kindly manner and warm heart, would doubly appreciate this evidence of their goodwill towards him.—(Applause.) The motion was then put and carried by acclamation. The Chairman said that the cable would bo sent that evening. GENERAL

The Chairman referred to the impendingvisit of Professor Adams, the distinguished educationist. Me said be had heard him speak at Auckland, and he was quite sure that after they had heard him they would be satisfied that their time had been well spent.

Mr S. B. Macdonald (president of the Otago Expansion League) referred to matters of irrigation and immigration as they affected Central Otago. He had been asked in the north what was wrong with Dunedin, He reph’ed that there was nothing wrong with Dunedin, but there was a lot wrong with the government of -the country. —(Laughter and applause.) Referring to land settlement, he said one could not help being struck with the areas of land on the south lino which were held in large blocks, and were not producing as much as they should. Ho thought these areas should he properlv settled. Mr James Begg said the figures published in the newspapers with regard to the Advances Department would almost lead one to believe that the department was an Auckland institution instead of a dominion one. These figures showed that Auckland got four-fifths of the money which had been advanced. On the other hand, they had to remember that in the Hon. J. G. Coates they had a particularly good friend, who had done much for Central Otago in the way of pushing on irrigation. He thought, the Department of Agriculture should send an expert to America to study irrigation so that ho would be able to instruct the farmers in the proper use of the water.— (Anplanse.) Mr James M'Tnfosh (Collector of Customs) said that while they were agitating for a new post office they should not forget that thev also required a new Customs Homo. Most cities had reason to be proud of (heir Custom Houses, but this could not bo said of Dunedin.—(Applause.)

The President said the matters mentioned by the various speakers would receive tho new council’s attention. Ho thought tho Auckland system of having monthly luncheons at which such matters could he discussed was worthy of consideration. At. all events quarterly meeting of members might Ire worth a trial. He concluded by congratulating Mr Macdonald on the activities of tho Otago Expansion League. Mr H. W. Jones proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring members of the council, who had retired in accordance with the rules of the chamber.

The motion was carried by acclamation. During tho evening Messrs Walmsley and Sutherland contributed vocal items, which were much appreciated.