CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1362, 19 January 1950, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

DECEMBER MEETING Remarkable Census Figures Arising from the appdintment of a committee to investigate the population of Putaruru, Mr ~C. B. Arahill reported its findings at the December meeting of the' Putaruru Chamber of Commerce held on Thursday in the fire brigade rooms. Conservative estimates for the borough \ and surrounding districts which depend entirely on Putaruru for supplies and service were as follows): borough, over 16 years, 1040; under 16 years, 474; country area, oyer 16 years, 1659; under 16 years, 844; a total of 1544 for the borough and 2503 for the county area dependent upon Putaruru. Mr Arahill was accorded a vote of thanks for his extensive research, and it was decided that further classification he made of children under five years so as to assist the school committee with details of children who would be commencing school with the commencement of each year. Messrs A. L. Mason and C. B. Arahill were appointed to attend to the matter. It was commented that the population of the borough had Increased 50 per cent, within four years. Tirau-Putaruru Service Concern jwas expressed that Edwards Motors, Ltd., was not permitted to pick up and set down passengers between Putaruru and Tirau when- that company had a timetable which suited workers in the area. A letter received from the company regarding a chamber enquiry stated the company to be anxious to give service but a condition in its license forbade picking up and setting down within the specified area. , That arrangement was agreed to by the company with New Zealand Road Services which pioneered the route, and it was Jioped the chamber would appreciate that the company could not break its contract. It was decided to write to the No. 1 Licensing Transport Authority in Auckland suggesting that any restrictions on picking up and setting down in the area in question he revoked. Bus Depot and Municipal By-laws Two letters were received from the Putaruru Borough Council, one in connection with the establishment of a bus depot in Putaruru, which stated there was now nothing to hinder the project, and another sayirig the council intended to adopt model by-laws which it was decided at the Municipal Association conference would be drawn up by the Standards Institute for use by small local bodies.

The secretary was instructed to request that a copy of the by-laws be forwarded to the chamber upon their receipt by the council. New ’Subscription Rate

Mr R. C. Simpson presented a new scale for levying subscriptions. It involved charges according to the number of persons employed by a member, with a minimum subscription for other members. The matter was to be further investigated by a finance committee comprising Messrs R. C. Simpson, A. L. Mason, A. T. Shirley and C. B. Arahill. Membership of Chamber

Discussion- of membership of the chamber which concluded the meeting resulted in members urging that a clarification of 'membership qualifications be made. It was stated that as constituted, membership of the Putaruru chamber was open to all residents of Putaruru and the surrounding districts, there being absolutely no need for a person to be an employer before becoming eligible. Present at the meeting were Messrs R. C. Simpson (chairman), W. H. Thodey (secretary), C. B. Arahill, A. L. Mason, A. T. Shirley, J. H. Drummond, R. Spargo, J. R. Murphy, R. Kallu, B. Bradshaw and J. B. Rolfe.

Apologies were received from Messrs P. D. O’Connell, T. J. Cotter and H. L, Martin.