CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DEPUTATION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13418, 16 May 1912, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DEPUTATION.

ONE DAY SERVICE TO GREY-

MOUTH.

In tho morning the Hdn. Mr Ell received a deputation of members of the Chamber of Commerce at the Municipal Chambers. There were present, Messrs A. A. Lucas (president). W. W. Suodgrass (vice-president), T. A. H. Field (Mayor of Noileon), P. Bond, D. R. PXiwards, J. H. Cock, S. Kirkpatrick, WS. Hampson, W. Lock, J. Hunt (Mayor of Richmond), E. S. Fairey and others. , Mr. Hurry Atmoro M.I 1., introduced tiio. deputation.

Mr. A. A. Luca-s said the Chamber of Commerce desired to bring under me notice of the Postmaster-General tho desirability of a one day service from Nelson to'Greyrn«nit!h. At the present tinio tho journey, which was long and tiresome, occupied two days. A great: many people who would otherwise take the overland route were prevented from doing so on account of the- length of time occupied. Ho had been assured by the coach proprietors that the journey could be done in one day. The Minister for Public Works had given Iris assurance that tho railway would bo pushed on with greater vigour in the future;, and tliis would make it easier for the coach to do tho journey In the one day._ Mr. Lucas said that it was also desired to have tho telephone exchange open continuously. Another matter was that use«-& of the stamping machines had been notified that the allowance of 1-J- per cent discount on the amount of stamps used was to he discontinued. Mr. Lucas said that it was understood by firms purchasing those machines that this discount would le allowed. He asked the Minister to consider whether ho oould not have the discount allowed as heretofore. Mr. Lucas extended tho Hon. Mr. EH a very cordial welcome to Nelson and hoped his stay would be an enjoyable on^. The Mayor (Mr. T. A. H. Field) having congratulated tho Minister upon Jus elevation to the Cabinet,. spoke in support of the one- day scKvice to Greymouth. If established he said it would link up Nelson and tho West Coast with mails and passengers, and would avoid the long and uncertain 6ea trip. Further the scenery on the coach route was among the, finest in New Zealand. Mr. Field referred to the one mile radius from the Post Office. Ho said itwas understood that when tho Post Office was removed to its present site thor people who were within one mile from the old post office would not bo out of the. radius. The distance, however, was measured from the now Post uffice. In regard to the Post Office clock, the cost of maintenance. £]Z a. ymr, wa s paid by the Council, who also aupphed the gas free of charge, uib audit department however, refused to allow the payment and said the Council was doing an illegal thing. H ft suggested that tho . Government isbould-take over the caro of the clock.

Mr. Sn-odgross also offered hi« congratulations to the Minister, and spoke vi support of the. one day service to G>reymouth. He said that 25 years ago the coach k.ffc Nelson throo times a week ,ior Gi'vymouth, and the service then only occupied two days. At the present time, even with the extension of then railway, and a bi-weekly service only, the journey still occupied two days. Tho Canterbury pcoplo had secured a one day service, and a large number of peoplo travelled from Wellington to Lyttolton .md thence overland to GroymouTh. From Wellington via Nelson and a one day Kuvico to Greymouth would be o much bettor route. It would also bo bettor for people travelling to Wo&tp-nrt. / Xii | o in tourist traffic. thr-ro could be no two opinions about t!:e over .and trio from Nelson to the West, .Const. •

Mr. Lock alsf) ,f.pok<\ in support of the one day service to Greymouth. Ho also expressed the- opinion that the Government had the. confidence of the people and would remain in office for a long period. Mr. Kirkpatrick endorsed what Mr. Lucas had said about th© stamp] n<> machines. Ho thought they should also be used for stamping collect telegrams.

Mr. E. S. Pairoy (Brightwator) on behalf of Messrs Newman Bros., coach proprietors. .Paid that they would bo only too pleased to fall in with an> suggestions that wore practicable in regard to the one day service to Greymouth.

Mr. James Hunt (Mayor of Richmond) extended a cordial welcome to the Postmaster-General, and said that a deputation would placo Boveral matters baforo him during his visit to "Richmond.

Mr. Hamp.wn in stipport/nj* the vr.rious matt3-.s brought under 'the nutw of tlio Minister, paid that Minif-t^rr, in the past h;^d not mr.-da ■tlv.'jnmfret; su.Tioiently acquainted with tho grandeur of the sconery in thifi district. Ho K uiig^sted that the oponinjr of the railway to Glennqpe next month should he made the occasion of a Cabinet picnic. Mr. Harry Atmone, M.P., on behalf

of tho Mnrchison people, asked that a telephone bureau be established at Murchison. Ho said that Nelson was their natural outlet, and if ' the telo phpne was put in the benefit to the settlors aiul the business people of Nelsou would bt> very great indeed. The Hon. Mr. Ell in replying thanked tho deputation for the cordial welcome that had been extended to him. In regard to the one day service toGreyinouth, he- said the question of increasing the mail services was commit up this year, and the matter would, then bo taken into consideration. He* pointed1 out that incpca&ed facilities meant increased expenditure. So far as could bo done it was tho intention oE tho Government to do all thoy could to place people in touch with one another-■ by mail, telegraph and telephone connection. In regard to a continuous telephone service he would see what ho could do. As to the stamping machinesit had been found that these were a. great convenience to commercial people,, and were not a great sourco of revenue. The Department cou.d not afford to allow the- machines to be used for telegrams and cables. He could not agree to any alteration being made. As t« Post Office clocks, these- wore- looked upon as a luxury and were generally put up at the wish of local residents. .The Department did not want them and tho 'erection of a tower for tho clock added £tKX) or £700 to the cost of eacli office. In regard to the charge for maintenance- whicli had "been queried in tho Council's balance she of, he was sure tho Audit Department had power to allow it. In regard to the application for a telephone bureau at Murchison ho would a«k for a. report. In conclusion the Minister expressed the hone that his visit would prove profitable to tho_ district, and he thanked the deputation very heartily for their cordial welcome. The suggestion that Ministers did not travel enough was quite true. Although there was not a great amount of joy in chasing from one end of the country to the other, it was necessary that a Minister should see fov himself what was required. Whi> in Nelson he intended to sec- as much of the district as possible.

The Minister was thanked for receiving tho deputation and the proceedirijrsended.