CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1240, 24 July 1947, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GUEST SPEAKER There was a gopd attendance of members at the July meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce, those present being Messrs. C. B. Arahill (president), P. B. Sinclair (secretary), A. S, Dalton, Luhrs, B. Bradshaw, R. C. Simpson, H. Waymouth, A. Morgan, G. C. Hitchcock, T. L. Pearce, T. J. Cotter, R. A. Shattock, T. J. Carter, J. A. Halkeiit, R. Gairdner, J. C, Work and A. E. Pearce. A number of apologies were received. Also present was Mr. W. T. Hanna, district manager of the New Zealand Railways Road Services at Rotorua, who was the guest speaker for the evening. Road Services (Mr. Hanna gave members a short and interesting address on the development c-ver the last 20 years of the New Zealand Railways Road [Services. He described the gradual expansion of the service since it first come into operation in 1026-27. In 1034 the first long-distance service was run between Wellington and Wanganui. By 1040-41 most of the larger services in the Rotorua aTea had been purchased, and by 1043 all the important services in the North Auckland area. Tho following figures given by Mr. Hanna show the amazing progress made by,, the service:— ' . 1027: Passengers, 20,095; mileage, 160,060. 1043: Passengers, 9,889,184; mileage, 6,1311,760. 1047:' Passengers, 20,364,278; mileage, 17,144,390. Mr. 'Hanna described the many services provided at Rotorua, and mentioned those for the mills in particular. Speaking of the recently-intro-duced services iii Putaruru, Mr. Hanna stated that he had discussed them with Mr.’,' Arahill, and also had known the feelings' of the town in respect to travelling facilities through Mr. A. C. Anderson, with whom he had discussed the matter from time to time. Questioned as to the relationship of the New Zealand Road .Services and the New Zealand Railways, Mr. Hanna.,stated they - were, one body, The road services was actually a subsidiary servicer of the railways. Bookings for long journeys Could be made at the railway station a day or so beforehand. • 1 ' Mr. Cotter suggested that in the summer a return service to Tauranga on Sundays would prove, popular. Mr. Hanna replied that if there was a bus depot at Putaruru they might be in a position to handle such special services. Bus Depot The matter of a bus depot at Putaruru then came in for lengthy discussion. Mr. Hanna stated' he understood a site for it near,the fire station had been suggested by the railway engineers. He was not very, keen about this site. Mr. Arahill pointed out that it would be in the main street, and would not foe very satisfactory from a traffic point of view. It was suggested that a depot situated on the Lichfield Road, near the Central Private Hotel, would be Suitable. Discussion as to whether the chamber, or a member of the chamber, should make enquiries to ascertain whether the section could be purchased for such a project then took place. Several members thought that by doing this the chamber might foe creating a precedent. However, after further discussion Mr. Morgan moved, and Mr. Shat, tock seconded, that the president foe empowered to interview the owner of the section to ascertain if the property would be for sale to the N.Z.R. Road Services, in view of the possibility of them considering the establishment of a bus depot in Putaruru.—(Carried. Mr. Shattock then moved, and Mr. Gairdner seconded, that the chamber write to the General-Man-ager of Railways stressing the need for a road service bus depot in Putaruru. A copy of the letter is to foe sent to the Borough Council asking for its support in the matter, and l another copy to Mr. Hanna.— Carried. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Hanna for his attendance and his address, and he then retired from the meeting. Statie Housing In reply to a letter from the chamber suggesting that special priority for a State house be given a family in Putaruru, who are liv-

ing under distressing conditions, and who have had an application in for some time, the State Advances Department assured the chamber that careful consideration would be given this application when accommodation suitable to his requirement is being made available at Putaruru.

In a further letter- the department, replying to the chamber’s suggestion that the erection of several bigger units for large families should be undertaken jn the block of houses to be built in the near future, stated that the position of State housing in Putaruru was being looked into. Poor Road The Matamata County Council advised, in reply to the chamber's letter concerning the poor condition of the roads between Putaruru and Lichfield, particularly the section from H. W. Peters’ residence on to the Liofield Hall, that plans for the construction of this section were forward, and it was hoped that progress would be made in the coming season. Manual Training Facilities Mr. Shattock drew members’ attention to tho fact that the secondary pupils of the Putaruru school were being deprived of manual training and domestic science courses through the lack of facilities. There was sufficient accommodation for these classes, but the department was delaying in sending the necessary equipment and staff. About 300 pupils were being deprived of these important classes, and he moved that a letter be sent the superintendent of the manual and technical branch of' the Education Board, asking that some urgent action foe taken to give the district the facilities for manual training for school pupils. Copies of the letter are to be sent to the Borough Council and to the Tokoroa Progress League. ; Mr. T. L. Pearce objected to the fact that the school committee had not been included. He pointed opt that the committee had been, endeavouring for many years to obtain these facilities, arid while he was sure the chariiher’s,,assistance would be appreciated, he thought it would be quite wrong not to inform 'the. committee of its .actons in the matter. It was decided, to first"write to the school committee asking for its approval of. the chamber's .offer,ts to assist in 5 "the inattb'r,’ari& s to then forward the letter.-iiit'.htSoned above, copies to be sent to the school committee and' home arid school association as well, > . , New Bus Service Some discussion took place on the newly-introduced bug service from Putaruru -to Matamata, and as no one was quite sure as to who was running the' bus, etc., it was decided to defer the matter until next meeting. New Members Mr. K. Barnes and Mr. H. 'L. Martin were elected as new members. Congratulations The president congratulated those members of the chamber who had been elected to the first foorough council, and assured them of the chamber’s wholehearted support.