TAIHAPE TRADESMEN’S ASSOCIATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 February 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE TRADESMEN’S ASSOCIATION.

The annual general meeting of the Taiaphe Tradesmen’s Association was held in the supper room of the Town Hall last night, when a thoroughly representative attendance was presided over by the President, Mr. A. W. Gardner.

Messrs Johnson, Shanley and 'Aldridge were admitted members of the Association .

The annual report was laid before the meeting, from which we make the following extracts; —It was found necessary to call a special meeting in July in order to decide what steps should be taken in order to put the Association on a sounder financial footing, it being impossible to carry on successfully without additional funds. All subscriptions for the year had been paid to that date, but theamount in hand was insufficient to meet liabilities. It was decided at that meeting to make a levy of 10/5 per member, bringing the annual subscription up to £1 Is. It is gratifying to report that all members responded willingly to this ‘appeal, -aAVa the result that the funds cf the Association are now in a satisfactory state Letters were written to the Taihape Borough Council, drawing their attention to the excessive speed of motor cars through the streets of the Borough, and asking that some action be taken to rectify this, as it was dangerous and also added to the dust nuisance.. A letter was received from the Council, but so far nothing had been done. The smoke caused by railway engines, whch was causng a nuisance to shopkeepers in the vicinity, was also pointed out to the Council. A letter was received from the Town Clerk stating that he had written to the Railway Department. This nuisance has since abated. It was discovered that a water pressure of only from 501bs to 701bs was being maintained by the Council at nights, and this was considered a dangerous procedure in case of fires. A deputation waited on the Council asking that something be done, and- we understand a satisfactory improvement will be made shortly. The deputation also suggested that the Council should take over control of the nightwatcaman and have tell-tale clocks installed in order that there should be, some check over that official. We are now able, to report that the Council has taken over the control of the nightwatchman, and his salary will be gjlid out, of the general funds of the Council.

The balance sheet, for the year showed that receipts totalled £23 19s, and expenditure £l9 12s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £.4 6s Sd., ... ; ,

The report and balance -sheet were adopted, general gratification being expressed at the satisfactory report' of i the year’s operations

■The election of officers was then taken, and resulted as follows; —President, A. W. Gardner (re-elected); secretary, Mr. E. Loader (re-elected); auditor, Mr. Masters (re-elected). Executive committee: Messrs . Fookes, Ccllinson, McCormick, Plummer, and Bond. Treasurer, Mr. E. Robinson (re-elected)

Mr. Gardner briefly returned thanks for his re-election. He would have much preferred the position to have gone round. He would endeavour to do his best. (Applause.)

Appreciative references to the good work done by the president and the executive were voiced by Messrs Neagle, McLaughlan, Murray, and others* and a hearty vote of thanks to the officials was carried by acclamation.

Mr. McCormick said one of) the members of the Association, Mr. Fv McLaughlarf had made the supreme sacrifice, and he thought this fact should be embodied in the report. Mr. Gardner said this was a rather unfortunate oversight, but the omission would b e rectified. Mr. W. J. White said the Association should move in the direction of mitigating the travelling hawkers’ nuisance. It was not fair to those tradespeople who paid rates that these itinerant pedlars should be allowed to come and go as they please.

Various other members expressed a similar view, and the chairman said he was pleased to get the feeling of members on this subject, as it would strengthen the hands of the executive in any action they might take, especially if they sent a deputation to fSe Council.

Mr. Mortland said there was on© matter he would like to bring before the Association, and that was the high rate of fire insurance being levied in Taihape. He said the charges here were higher than any town in a similar position in New Zealand He, suggested the executive should write-' to the Fire Underwriters’ Association* and endeavour to get a reduction. Other towns in New Zealand with far less effective fire-fighting were paying less. He felt quite sur© that if the position was properly placed before the Underwriters they would get a favourable reception. ;

Mr. McLauglilan said this matter had been brought up before, and nothing came of it. raiey should get particulars of other toCns in a similar position. Mr. Mortland said he could supply the names of four towns of similar size to Taihape paying a less T2le. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the executive to deal with. iln answer to a question, the chairman said the present subscription was sufficient to meet expenditure under ordinary circumstances. The membership includes almost every business man in the town, and an endeavour would be made to get them all The chairman explained the position of the 'Association with regard to the fire brigade demonstration at Easter. They had gone into the question, but as the Taihape Women’s Working Club was desirous of running it to enable them to get funds, the Association handed it over to them, and the executive of the Association would do all they could to help it along. Mr. Fookes advocated that where a public holiday occurred in the week on a day other than the statutory half holiday* the Thursday half-holiday should he observed as well. Mr. Neagle voiced a word of caution in this connection. They should he very careful how they changed things round, as a step like this may cause friction; in fact he was sure it would, and eventually break up the Association. This seemed to be the almost unanimous view of the members present, and the present system was adhered to. A member brought up the question of the enforcement of the rules with regard to the hour of closing shops, contending it was no use having rules unless they w reeenforced. Considerable discussion took place on the matter, the general opinion being that to enforce the rule would be a rather critical procedure when the Association was practically in its infancy. Eventually the matter Was left in the hands of the executive to see if diplomacy could not accomplish what it is felt more drastic measures were almost certain to' fail to achieve. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting, which then ac : journed -to hold a social re union.

THE SMOKE CONCERT,

Fully fifty people sat down to tlie smokg concert initiated by the AssociatibH.

It was a very sociable crowd that foregathered to finish the • evening with refreshments, ’ music, song and story. The President. (Mr. A. W. Gardner) presided. After a few introductory remarks and words of welcome'- to those present, Mr. Gardner said it was his very pleasant duty to propose the toast of "The King,” which was drunk with enthusiasm, to the singing of the National Anthem.

Mr. Fookes said he felt extremely honoured at being asked to propose the toast of "The Army and Navy.” In a few happily chosen phrases the speaker outlined what the army and navy had done for the Empire, and said it was a remarkable fact in history that a peace-loving nation like the British had inside of three years rased an army of five million men. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Mr. Dashwood responded. ‘‘The Taihape Tradesmen’s Association'’ was proposed by Mr. Neagle, who traced the course of the Association through its somewhat chequered career from the beginning up to the present, when it was, he was pleased to state, placed on a firm footing. He the good work the Association had done, particularly in connection with the questions of holidays, nightwatchman/ water pressure, and Council matters. He congratulated the chairman and his officers on the work done during the past term, also on their re-election for the coming year. The toast was musically honoured.

The chairman in responding, thanked those present, on behalf of himself and the Executive for the hearty manner in which the toast, had been received. ,

The toast of “The Farmers,” was proposed by Mr. S. Powell. Mr. O’Callaghan commenced in a semi-humorous vein, in which he outlined the duties commonly supposed to be carred out by the farmer, such as drawing big milk and wool cheques, growing record crops, driving about in motors, and chasing tradesmen to pay their accounts.

Mr. J. P. Aldridge proposed the toast of “Local Bodies,” to which Mr. G. Wrightson responded. Several other toasts were duly proposed an^^onoured. Songs, lev. '.ations, and monologues were contributed by those present, and an enjoyable evening concluded with **Auld Lang Syne.” ■ m