The Chamber of Commerce.

Southland Times, Issue 4493, 4 December 1882, Page 2

The Chamber of Commerce.

* — Friday, December 1. The monthly meeting of tho Chamber was held this afternoon. Present — Messrs Turnbull (President), Mitchell, Hawson, Handysidc, Nichol, Bain aud Aitkin. The Chairman reminded the Chamber that a committee had been appointed some time ago to revise the rules. Thi. had been done, and it was for the Chamber to say whether they were satisfied with the alterations that had been made. The Secretary then read the rules as amended by the committee. The firs*, three rules which were of a formal nature, were adopted. Rule 4 provided that the committee should appoint a secretary and treasurer instead of the Chamber. Mr Bain pointed out that for some timo past the secretary had acted as treasurer so that they simply wished to give effect to a practice which prevailed already. The amendment if carried would much facilitate the business of the Chambsr. Under the original rule, if the Chairman wanted to send an important telegram, costing perhaps a few pounds, a great deal of time would probably be lost in hunting up the hon. treasurer to sign the cheque. This could not happen if the amended rule were carried. The rule was then adopted. Rule 13 provided that eleven members should constitute a quorum. Mr Mitchell pointed out that hitherto five had constituted a quorum. He thought the proposed change would promote increased attendance and a greater interest on the part of members. As it was it would only mean the attendance of a fifth

of the total number composing the Chamber which he did not think too many. The Chairman pointed out that hitherto the meetings of the Chamber had been very poorly attended, an evil which was proposed to be met by the rule nnder notice. The rule was then carried. •;■- There were 25 rules altogether, and the remainder Avere adopted without comment, and ordered to be printed before the annual meeting. The scale of mercantile charges, which had been in use hitherto, was i also adopted . with the addition of a provisoj which had seemingly been: -unintentionally "■'."' •■-'"6__itte ! d i :' : froiu the original rules, the addition allow- • ing a withdrawal fee of 2f per cent, on land and stock; as well as. on goods. Mr Mitchelly said the committee had compared the mercantile charges with the code issued by tlie Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and they had found, that there Avas no material difference between the two. The Chamber then adjourned.