CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 43, 19 February 1913, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held last evening. Present: The President (Mr S. M. James), and Messrs P. Thomson, E. Jackson, W. P. Kirkwood, W. H. Young, J. McMillan, and J. 13. Richards (secretary). LACK OF COMMUNICATION. Some time ago the Kotare Progressive Committee wrote the Chamber of Commerce with the request that the Chamber should join with them in establishing communication with their town and the East Road, by having the Papakiro road formed. The matter was brought up at the meeting, when Mr Kirkwood moved that a delegate or delegates from the Progressive Committee be invited to Join in with the Chamber of Commerce in a deputation to the Prime Minister, and Minister for Public Works when they visit Stratford. The motion was carried. THE POST OFFICE. Mr Kirkwood moved that the Chamber wait upon the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Works, with the request for a new post office. The present building, ho said, was quite unsuitable. Mr E. Jackson seconded the motion. The President; Would you go further and suggest a site? Mr Kirkwood': I don’t think so. The President added that he did not wish to see another “make-shift” building foisted on the public.. He would rather wait a bit, if necessary. They knew that money was a little tight just at present. He quite agreed with the motion. Mr Kirkwood said the present building was a “makeshift,” and no Government could refuse to give Stratford a building adequate to her needs. At the telegraphic counter there was room for but one person, and at the money order counter, room for but three at the most. Behind the counter there was space for two clerks, and for two clerks only. The President brought up the policy of the present Government. Mr Herrios had said that the Government was out to spend money in developing the country, and not in spending it in

j the towns. I Mr Thomson; But wo are asking for a necessity, DATE OF MEETINGS. I Mr R. Masters wrote resigning his | seat on the executive, owing to the I meeting clashing with another meeting | in which ho was interested, | The President suggested an altera- | tion of the Chamber’s night of meetj ing, and said they could hardly afford 1 to lose a man of Mr Master’s business capabilities. It was decided to meet in future on the second Tuesday in the month. REGULAR SERVICE WANTED. The secretary, on behalf of MiMasters, brought up the matter of the I loss of business, loss of goods through I theft, and general inconvenience, j caused by the running of the train | and tram from Pohokura to Whangaj momona. Mr Masters suggested that a more f regular service should be instituted, I so that consignees could know when ! to meet their goods, j The matter was referred to the i President and Secretary to make en- ! quirios. * WEEK-END EXCURSIONS. | A short discussion ensued on a recent wire sent to the Secretary, from , the New Plymouth Tourist and Ex--1 pansion League, with regard to the issue of week-end excursion tickets to New Plymouth. A remark was made that at leastone man was against it owing to the seaside emptying the churches. Mr Thomson said he thought consideration should he given to the claims of the Churches. ffo added that ho thought Stratford people had no need to go to New Plymouth for “fresh air.” The President reminded Mr Thomson that there were churches in New Plymouth. Ho said he knew of people, wire would avail themselves of the

chance to get a breath of sea air, and at the same time would go to church ■ in the morning. Mr Kirkwood said that while they would back up New Plymouth in this matter, they could not guarantee how litany people would avail themselves of the concession, if granted. The President mentioned that there | was a time when cnite a number of New Plymouth people used to get their breath of mountain air in Stratford. Possibly, the establishment of the fine northern Mountain House had interfered with this migratory j habit. ! Mr Kirkwood considered that the j concession should be available for New I Plymouth people as well as for Stratj ford people. | A motion was passed that the Minj ister for Rail ways be written to, stat-

ing that in the opinion of this Chamber the issue of these tickets would be appreciated locally. STAMP OFFICE. It was decided to urge upon the Prime Minister the necessity for establishing a branch of the stamp oflice in New Plymouth. A TARANAKI COURT. Mr Kirkwood brought up the matter of the Auckland Exhibition, and period. A huge pyramid was made read a letter from the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce relative to arranging for a Taranaki Court. The President remarked that twentyyears ago there was a Stratford Exhibit in the Auckland Exhibition of that representing the amount of butter made by the factories in one day. If was a good advertisement, as thousands of people saw it. A map was also made showing every dairy factory in the district. Mr Kirkwood will attend a meeting of the New Plymouth Chamber on Thursday afternoon next, as a delegate from the Stratford Chamber. Mr Holmes, representing the Auckland Exhibition Committee, will be present at the meeting.