THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11967, 21 June 1907, Page 2

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The monthly meeting of this Chamber was'held last night at the Oddfellows' Hall, Mr Bisley, the President, in the chair, an! therb was a good attendance. The (Jhairman expressed pleasure at seeing a number of new members present and voiced the hope that members would continue to show interest in the working of the Chamber. The minutes were then confirmed. An apology for non-attendance was received from Mr J. M, Croucher. A letter was received from Mr Jas. Mills, proprietor of Bradsbaw's Guide, aski ng the Chamber to put him in the way of obtaining descriptive information of Nelson. A sub-Committee consisting of Messrs Bannebr and Lucas was appointed to obtain the necessary information. The following new members were elected :— Messrs E. G. Wood, H. McArtney, E. S. Little John, C.E., W. Thompson, F. H. Cooke, and R. V. Gully. The Committee's report was then read. The General Committee reported having considered the revision of rules.and submitted various alterations, which mainly dealt with Country members. The Special Committee, relative to mercantile charges, reported recommending the desirability of adopting the schedule submitted. " As to the proposed alteration of rules the Committee also suggested enlarging the objects of the Chamber, and altering the names of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Committee, to President, Vice-President, and Council respectively. A new rule was suggested to the effect that members living beyond five miles of the Post Office be deemed country members, and that their subscription be half a guinea annually. It was also proposed that country members residing in one district might be formed into corresponding Committees. These reports ware considered, and the proposed alteration of rules were, after discussion, agreed to. The schedule of mercantile charges was considered, and it was agreed that same lie on the table for a month, in order that all members might peruse SArne. COUNTRY MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES. The following country members were elected : — Messrs G. Macmahon, W. H. Phillips, jnr.. and H. lnnes-Jones, all of Tapawera, and the Tapawera rr embers were constituted a Corres ponding Committee. Messrs A. Wilkie, C. Downie, E. Kerr, H. Hodgson, A. Thompson, Jos. Brown, and O. Lynch, all of Murchison, and the Murcbison members ware constituted a Corresponding Committeee. Messrs L. D. Easton, J. B. Jordan, W. H. Maoder. H. V. Uren, G. W. Jenkins P. C. Moffatt, T. G. Brougham, O. C. WilkinsoD, H. Kan kin, W. Moffatfc, S. Wratt, W, Mclnnes, G. H Budden, C. H. Barber, 11. A. Tarrant, L. E. Rhodes, Dr Deck, and F. Batchelor, all of Motueka, and the Motueka members were constituted a Corresponding Commitatee, it being remarked that Mr Manoy was also an old member of the Chamber. The Chairman announced that their membership bad increased during the year from 42 to 156. The Chairman was complimented on his. energy in strengthening the Chamber. Owing to the lateness of the hour, it was decided to request Mr Hampson to read his paper at the next monthly meeting, *and Mr Hampson acceded to the request. Mr Milner suggested that during the winter months their meetings should commence at half-past seven instead of eight. The Chairman said the Committee had had some trouble in finding a room large enough for their increased membership, but had ultimately agreed to recommend that the Chamber secure the Dresden Music Mall for three years. It was resolved to secure this Hall. The Chairman then referred to the proposal to advertise the attractions of Nelson, and its wants on the backs of envelopes. He said he had obtained various designs from Mr F. C. Hnddleiton, and these were

handed round. These showed various views of Nelson and the harbor, with pictures of grain, slock, fruib, etc., while others illustrated the sport to be obtained. They were headed Nelson wants 25,000 of a population, and, while its advantages were enumerated, some of its wants were also specified. The deigns were referred to the Committee fo take aotion. Mr Baigent reported tbp result of an interview between a Sub-Com-mittee and the Manager of the Local Railway as to complaint by Mr Phillips that a higher freight was charged on timber from Tadmor than for similar freight for an equal distance on a Southern line tie said the charges at Nelson were highor in consequence of two hills having to be traversed, and that it was also maintained that a reduction in railway freight would be injurious to competitors in Golden Bay, the Sounds, etc. The Railway Manager had written to Wellington representing the cjmplainfe, and had promised to communicate with the Committee when he received a reply. The President also referred to this matter, and suggested that they should go into it more fully at next meeting. The Chairman said it was necessary that more sheep tracks should be provided on the railway, and that facilities for entraining sheep should be provided at Richmond. The line was losing business for want of facilities. There should also be a reduction in charges. He spoke highly of the present manager, and said ne understood that on two afternoons a week an extra train |would run from Richmond, enabling those leaving town at quarter to two to return at quarter to five. He said that the local line was being made increasingly profitable, " and that whereas it formerly cost JIOO to earn £104 it now only cost jG6O to earn £100. At next meeting he would ask the Chamber to make representation as to the need of more railway cars and other matters. He said he was always pleased to meet members and discuss any matter of importance, that they,, ould like to have brought forward. c then read a short paper giving the exports for the month of May and expressed the opinion that the export of New Zealand beef was likely to increase materially, remarking that boDeless beef was now being sent away, and that while it had taking well at Home, the bones were utilised in the Colony. The meeting, which continued till a late hour, closed with a vote of thanksj;o the Chairman.