CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5446, 5 February 1917, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTHLY MEETING The ordinary monthly meeting of the Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce was held in the Council Chambers last Tuesday evening. Mr J. P. Kirby presided and those also present were Messrs Stanley, C. Raynor, R. Coulter, C. Cuff, W. Maingay, Q. W. Mace, A. J. Graham, J. A. Clothier, W. R. Johnson, A. H. Caudwell, J. D. Mackay and C. Andrews.

Volunteers Mr J. P. Kirby, stated that it was the first meeting since the eleotion of officers, and he took the opportunity of thanking the members for electing him to the honored position of president. He referred to the good work done by his predecessors, Messrs Brodie and Mace. He remarked that lie would not occupy the seat long enough to do justice to the position as he had enlisted, and was to go into camp in April. He very much preferred that a new president be olected. Mr J. A. Clothier said lie would like to see Mr Kirby retain his position, and after many complimentary remarks, moved that the Chamber grant Mr Kirby leave oE absence while he was on military service, the vice-president to occupy the chair during his absence. Several other members expressed similar opinions. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Mr R. S. Hanna, secretary to the Chamber, took the opportunity of informing the meeting that he also had volunteered for active service and would be leaving in about three months’ time.

Mr Mace said lie had worked with Mr Hanna for some years past and ho was a man who always had the welfare of the Chamber at heart, and when he returned they would have him back again in his old position. Mr Stanley said it was a credit to the Chamber that two of its prominent members had volunteered and not waited for the ballot. Mr Graham also referred to Mr Conlter, who had enlisted on three previous occasions and would, most probably, be going into camp sometime about A£ril. THE RIVER GROYNE

The Public Works Department wrote with reference to the proposed construction of a groyne in the Waihou river, near the traffic bridge, and suggested that the Borough Council pay £25, Piako Council £25, Chamber of Commerce £25, and the Northern Steamship Company £25 towards the cost of same.

Mr Mace said that during his term as president he was a strong advecate of the scheme, but he did not consider that the Chamber of Commerce should bear any of the expense. Mr Rayner thought that £IOO would be about the total cost of the construction ; this would moan that the Government would have nothing to pay. The Chamber of Commerce was not a financial body which was to pay here, there and everywhere, but was practically a body formed to advocate progressive schemes. Mr Maingay said that the sandbank would probably shift with the next flood.

Mr Clothier did not think it would until the groyne was erected on the opposite side of the river, near the traffic bridge. Considerable argument followed as iv who should pay the cost. Mr Raynor thought that when the whole unesti n was “boiled down” it wonid remain between the Northern Ship -ng Company and those persons who received goods per boat to defray the greater part of the cost, Mr Coulter differed, contending that, it was a matter which, if not duo it with carefully, would affect the tod of living, which the Chamber should do everything in its power to keep down. If the Shipping Compar.y was put to much inconvenience it would most likely remove its sheds and consequently cartage rates would be increased, and he urged that the Chamber recommend that the Borough Council and the Piako County Council favorably consider the question of subsidising it, but that the Chamber of Commerce could not pay anything towards the cost. —Mr Graham seconded, pro forma.

As an amendment Mr Rayner moved that the Chamber get right to the root of the matter and write to the Northern Shipping Company, suggesting that it organise some scheme to have the work completed and that it would have tho moral support of the Chamber.—Mr Stanley seconded. Mr Coulter considered the amendment to be very indefinite and vague, and contended|that the Chamber had a great way of shelving things. He held no brief for the Northern Company, but if something to improve their berthage was not done shortly he understood that it was going to remove its'shed, and this would, consequently, increase the cost of cartage >of goods to the town. Mr Mamgay said tho Northern Company had a splendid connection with the town and he was informed that it had no intention of shifting the shed. Mr Andrews was of the opinion that it was a matter that could he well left alone and let the Company fight it out. ’ On being put to the meeting the motion was loßt and the amendment carried. Mr Graham moved that the secretary bo instructed to write to the Government pointing out that Northern Shipping Company would be benefited most by the construction of a groyne and that the Chamber could not pay anything towards the cost.—Mr Mace seconde Mr Cuff made an amendment suggesting that further information be asked for.—Seconded by Mr Clothier and carried.

ADVERTISING TE AROHA It was reported that Mr Watson had claimed £25 tor the copyright of a photo published in the Christmas number of the “ Auckland Weekly News,” among the views advertising JVe Aroha. A couple of members and li representative of the “ Weekly News ” interviewed Mr Watson with a view to coming to termß. finally Mr Watson agreed to accept £5 from the “ Auckland Weekly News,” the Chamber to pay all expenses (£2 2s). On the motion of Mr Mace, seconded by Mr Stanley, the action of the vice-president and sec etary was approved of. SOLDIERS’ INTERESTS The secretary said that while reading the country news in a recent New Zealand Herald he noticed that the. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce had formed a committee, consisting of three, to look after the interests of men who had gone to the front. Mr Clothier thought the scheme a good one, and considered it was on

that should be dealt with by the Farmers’ Union and Chambers of Commerce. Mr Stanley was of opinion that a committee sbonld be formed to meet the “ boys ” whenever they returned, and show some little apprccia’ion for their services rendered at the front.

Mr Rayner considered Mr Stanley’s suggestion to be more of a citizens’ movement. The object of the committee'propose 1 would be to direct people’s attention to the fact that such a shop proprietor was away fighting, and to encourage patronage; thus protecting the business from exposed oalamity.

Mr Graham said the Committee would have to be careful and not overdo its work, for there were many business men who may have tried, but failed to get to the front, and it would not be fair to “ run theso out altogether.”

Mr Clothier moved that a committee comprising His Worship the Mayor, the President aud vice-Presi-dent, and Messrs Graham and Mace be formed.—Seconded by Mr Stanley. Mr Mace proposed that the secretary write to the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce asking for full details as to the work of their committee. LETTER OF CONDOLENCE It was decided on the motion of Mr Graham that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mrs Gran, expressing the sincere regret of the Chamber at the sad death of her husband. WORKERS* HOMES Mr Stanley stated that the Borough Council recently had acommnicationu from the the Government in connection with the workers’ homes, stating that as soon as the financial year terminated and they had any money to spare for workers’ homes Tc Aroha would be considered.

Mr Rayner said there were fourteen sections reserved for the woikors’ homes, and he thought it was sufficient just at present, for if they commandeerod say 30 or 40 sections now it would take the Government at least 25 years to build on them all. Ho considered it best to leave it at fourteen and these would be built on within a few years. It would be far better if the sections were sold by auction and the people conld buy their own.

Mr Coulter asked if these sections were auctioned who would get them—the worker or the moneyed man ? If the worker managed to get one how conld he afford to build, after paying his deposit? He (Mr Coulter), may not be here much longer to advocate the scheme, but ho hoped that the Chamber would not be frightened when the opportune time came and “ barrack ” hard for all these homes to be built together. Mr Rayner said that the Government built in proportion to the population. Mr Coulter ; “ But they owe ns fifteen years, so that meaus fifteen homes ! ” Mr Rayner: “They don’t pay back-numbers ! ” Mr Coulter : “ No, nor present either, if they can help it.” Nothing definite wac decided upon.