OAMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2829, 3 June 1908, Page 34

OAMARU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. (Fbom Ous Owir Cobaesfoksekt.) OAMARU, May 28. The annual meeting of the Oamaru Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday evening. In the annual report reference was made with satisfaction to the completion during the year of the telephone connection between Oamaru and Dunedin and Oamartt and Timaru, and to the promise received a few days ago that an overbridge had been granted to give access from Wansbeck 6treec to the Holmes wharf. In moving the adoption of the report and baianoe sheet, the president (Mr R. W. Monson mentioned the satisfactory maintenance of the membership and the fact tnat aenefits had been secured which could not have been got by individual representation. The remark waea lso made that owing to the drought last year the exports fell very low, but that with 'a good harvest this year, and a very heavy demand for produce in the North Island, the exports had been l«£ge> and heavy shipments had been made. The president advocated shipping ex store instead of direct from country sidings. The Tormer system would enable produce to be oroperlv sampled, branded, and graded. The incoming committee would require to keep the matter of terminal charges before it with a view to a reduction, and also the present rates charged by the RailwayDepartment for overtime. At present the railway was getting work done by casual labour for 6d per hour at night in placo of Is 3d per hour in the daytime, and the shipping companies had to pay them la 6d per hour per man, and the same for permanent employees. By working overtime the department got a double benefit, for it also enabled its rolling stock to be worked twice in the day. In seconding the adoption of the report, Mr W. M. JEtose pointed out that the subiect of shipping ex store was closely connected with that of the present high terminal charges. As_ to the Oamaru-Dunedin telephone, he said it waG well known that a it was paying very handsomely — much better than was ever expected, — and he agreed with the president that the time allowance of three minutes should be extended to five minutes. The report was adopted. A motion was adopted in reference to the Harbour Boards Bill to come forward ar next session, urging the Government to make provision for chambers of commerce having fair representation on the* boards. The officers for the ensuing year were elected, the president being Mr A. Freser and the vice-president Mr W. H. Steenson.

Wellington fishermen are catching large numbers of hapuka in Cook's Strait at present, as many as 80 of these fish (averaging SOlb) being taken in one haul. There are few able-bodied paupers in Holland. A tract of public land, containing 6000 acres, is divided into six - model farms, to one of which the person applying for public relief is sent. Here he is taught agriculture, and is subsequently permitted to rent a small holding for himself. Holland' has also a forced labour colony, to which vagrants .are sent to do farm and other work, whether they like it or not.