CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1232, 29 May 1947, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL MEETING Busy Year Reviewed The annual meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce was held last week, there being a good attendance of members. Those pro tent were Messrs. C. A rah ill (president), E. Power (secretary), J. A. Hal'ketit, T. Cotter, G. C. Hitchcock, A. L. Mason, T. L. Pearce, B. Brad sh,aw, C. V. Pearce, J. C. Work, A. E. Pearce, S. Haworth, R. Shattock, F. Bentley, H. Waymouth, A. Morgan, A. Dalton, R. C. Simpson A number of apologies were received. President’s Report The president stated that the chamber's activities over the last year had been wide and varied, and many subjects relating to the welfare of the district had bean dealt with. While in some cases the chamber had not met with the success it had hoped for, nevertheless the speaker considered that a great deal of good work had (been done, and was confident that much move would be done in the future. Among the topics that had come under the notice of the chamber were the following: State housing, mail service, railway service, accommodation, Land Sales Act, additional justices of the peace, railway crossing, all right telephone service, formation of -borough

In connection with the last twomentioned items, the president pointed out that if the chamber had done nothing else it had justified its existence by the success that had attended its efforts in these two progres-sive steps, and he thanked the many members who so ably assisted. idis-i

During the year, Mr. A-rahill continued, a meeting was arranged between the chamber and the Town Board, and members of the general public, when many matters of mutual interest were discussed. It was hoped that when the new borough council was elected a similar meeting may be arranged, so that matters that came up for discussion at the first meeting may 'be pursued further.

Dealing with the matter of membership the president reported that the chamber's membership -was 27, which was the same as last year, the number of new members elected during the year being counter-bal-anced by a similar number of resignations, due chiefly to transfers' from the district. Mr. A-rahill stressed the fact that membership was quite unrestricted. An idea seemed to be prevalent, he said, that chamber of commerce membership was open only to business people, and he asked members when discussing the chamber with their friends, to correct this false impression, and to endeavour to introduce new members from all sections of the community. The report and balance-sheet was adopted. Election of Officers Prior 'to Vacating the chair for the election' of officers, Mr Arahill thanked members for their assistance and co-operation during the past year. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. C. Arahill; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. V. Pearqe, J. A. Hialbett; councillors, Messrs. Bradshaw, T. L. Pearce, G. C. Hitchcock, R. Shattock; auditor, Mr. G. C. Hitchcock; secretary, Mr. P. B. Sinclair. Mr. E. Power declined nomination as secretary. He was thanked for his services during the past year. Building of Business Premises A copy of the letter received from the Building Controller, Wellington, in regard to building permits for industrial and commercial premises was received from the town clerk. The chamber’s co-operation in having applications with plans, and accompanying specifications, particularly for major projects, brought-for-ward was asked by the hoard, in order that it could make a case for issue of permits for premises essential in the public interest. It wa« mentioned that the board had already advertised asking builders to contact it. After seme discussion it was decided to approach all business property owners in Putaruru who are contemplating building. Building Stlone The Matamata county clerk advised by letter that at a meeting of representatives of organisations interested in the re-opening c-f the buildirfg stone industry, it had- been decided that the Matamata County Council be asked to take steps to have the matter further investigat-

e-d by the Government, with a view to making the stone in this district available for building purposes. It was also decided- that the Prime Minister be invited to visit the district, and that a committee 'be set up to further the representations made, the committee to consist of members of the council and two repre sentatives from each organisation selected by the council. The chamber was asked to appoint two delegates to the committee, and Messrs. A. L. Mason and C. Aral: ill were elected. Borough Election Hie president reported that Putaruru would be constituted a borough as from July 1. The borough council would consist of a mayor and eight councillors. The election for the mayor and councillors would be held on Wednesday, July 16, ana the first meeting of the new borougn council would be held the following Tuesday, July 22. The roll closed 28 days before the election, and nominations for mayor and councillors 21 days before the election. It was decided that the chamber should take an active interest in the election by -endeavouring to obtain as many on the roll as possible. Lighting Plant Purchased Mr. Shattock drew members’ attention to 'the fa-ct that the Town Board was pu-rchasir.g a lighting plant- for the Town Hall, and as a considerable amount of public money, approximately £7OO, was being used to purchase it, he asked why tenders had not been called, and local dealers, thus given an opportunity to quote. The president stated that the chamber did not knew that the ’board had not called- tenders; and' it was decided, to write and ask if any tenders had been called. New Road Services

The president reported that a number of new road- service runs were being introduced by the New Zealand Railways Road -Services, and included a Putaruru-Hamil-ton service via Arapuni. On Mondays only a bus would also leave Putaruru at 9.10 a.m. for Tirau, and meet the Frankton-R-otorua car, returning from Tirau at 9.30 a.m. The president also reported that during a recent discussion with the District Railways Traffic Manager he had learned that the elimination of the trains arriving in Putaruru from Frankton at 9.45 a.m. and from Rotorua at 6 p.m. was being contemplated. Bus services would, if such eventuated, be used for the carrying of mails, etc., and a suggested service for outgoing mail and passengers for Auckland bad- -been made by Mr. Hanna. A bus would leave Hamilton at 1 pm., arriving at Putaruru at about 3.30 pm. It would depart from Putaruru at 4 p.m. and connect with the FranktonAuckland service cars and the 6 p.m. Aucktand-Wellington express. After some discussion this" suggested service was approved.

It was further decided to invite Mr. Hanna, District Manager of -the N.Z.R. Road Services, To attend the next meeting of the chamber.