WORK FOR DISTRICT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1925, Page 10

WORK FOR DISTRICT.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. PAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES. THE COUNCIL’S REPORT. The annual report of the council of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce for 1925 to be presented as follows at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-night, states: — In placing before you the annual report and statement of accounts, the council reports a busy year. The attendance of members at general meetings has been excellent, and interest in the work of the chamber has been maintained. During the year we have lost by death the Hon. Oliver Samuel, K.C., M.L.0., one of our original members. Finance. —At the close of last year, we had a credit at the bank of £59 Is 9d. This year the credit is £2 Ils Bd. However, our liabilities were £192 3s 8d and assets £l3O Ils 9d, a deficit of £6l Ms lid in 19124, against liabilities nil, and assets £73 10s 2d in 1925. Thus, in the last twelve months, our financial position has improved by £135 2s Id. In addition to the usual statement of receipts and expenditure, the secretary has taken out a return of revenue and expenditure, covering the period of this year only. It shows receipts £2BO 2s 3d and expenditure £199 13s sd, a surplus of £BO 8s lOd. We also hope to get a refund from the Government of £6O, spent in immigration expenses. Old liabilities which had accumulated over a period of years were liquidated, chiefly by a “windfall,” which will be explained to the meeting. Membership.—For the year 1924 this was 118. In 1925 it had increased to 14s 6d. After purging the list of those who were in arrear wiui their subscriptions, the membership committee, under the able guidance of our vice-president (Mr. James McNeill) brought in 40 new members. Public School Boys’ Immigration Scheme.—A very considerable amount of work has ben done in this connection. The immigration committee will submit a separate report to you. New Plymouth Harbour. —By the courtesy of the board, the chamber has on several occasions been taken into its confidence, and our members assisted the board in connection with the poll on the loan proposals, which, as you know, were carried by a big majority. RAILWAYS AND ROADS. Railway Matters.—During the year the chamber associated itself with a deputation truly representative of Taranaki, that went to Wellington to urge concentration on the western end of the gap in the Stratford Main Trunk Railway, and we are pleased to report that there is every sign of acceleration on this important work. The longstanding grievance of congestion at the goods-shed has been dealt with by extensions increasing the space by about 25 per cent., and alterations to the yard, involving in all a cost of £19,000. While we do not consider this a solution of the difficulty, it will be a distinct help. An improvement in the mail train service between here and Wellington has been carried out, the journey being reduced to 9 hours 40 minutes. The chamber is now seeking the co-operation of sister bodies, - in obtaining a night express, both from Napier and New Plymouth, joining at Palmerston North, and reaching Wellington early in the morning. This would reduce the time a visit to the capital city takes from three days to one, with a similar advantage to business men in Wellington who wish to go to Taranaki or Hawke’s Bay. A suitable railway connection with the motor service at Te Kuiti, and so shorten the journey to Auckland to eleven hours or under, has been constantly urged on the Railway Department. The Minister is quite sympathetic, and he promised that a trial would be given after last Easter. He has since explained to us the difficulties that necessitated a postponement until the summer, but w r e are confident that this service will come, and be most impor- 1 tant to Taranaki and to Auckland. Taranaki-Auckland Road.—The completion of the’ metalling of the road between the two provinces has been a most important event in the year. The officers and men of the Public Works Department are entitled to the greatest credit for the excellency of the w r ork, and the rapid manner in which it was carried out. A metalled road from Auckland to Wellington, via Taranaki, is now an accomplished fact. For very many years this has been one of the hardy annuals for members to urge upon visiting Ministers of the Crown. The Mokau bridge has now been started and its construction being in the hands of those who had charge of tire road, members may view its early completion with confidence. SHIPPING MATTERS. (Lectures.—‘Under the auspices of the chamber, lectures were given by Mr. R. H. Quilliani on the “-Bankruptcy Act,” Mr. E. Maxwell on “Forestry,” and Mr. W. A. Sheat on “Mechanism of Exchange.” They were all greatly enjoyed by the large numbers present, Members ot our council have given addresses to the Waitara, Inglewood and Te Kuiti Chambers of Commerce on various matters of mutual interest. Shipping.—Dur committee w r as successful in obtaining a reduction of 5s per ton in freight rates from Australian ports to New 7 Plymouth. Unfortunately after two shipments this charge was reimposed owing to delays due to certain causes, but it is hoped to again obtain this concession from the companies operating. We have also interested ourselves in establishing trade between Taranaki and other ports on the West Coast of the North Island, with a certain amount of success. It is hoped to do more during the coming year. At the request of the Department of Industries and ‘Commerce, the chamber acted as its honorary local agent, in the arrangements for bringing Government wheat direct to New Plymouth from Australia. During the recent labour troubles on the local wharf, the chamber endeavoured to protect the interests of the public to the best of its ability. The difficulty of obtaining definite Information as to whether the Rarawa had crossed the Manukau Bar, and at what time, has been the subject of our attention. The postmaster has now agreed that the attendants at the telephone exchange will give to subscribers, upon request, any information on this head that we arrange to be placed at their disposal. We are now asking the Marine Depart- I

ment to telegraph from Manukau Heads the movements of the Rarawa, and the nightwatchman on the wharf is to be instructed to telephone the exchange when he first sights the vessel,, giving his estimate of the time of arrival; also, when the ship berths, to advise at what time this occurred. Captain Pearse, representative in Australia and New Zealand tor the Port of London Authority, visited New Plymouth during the year, and a capacity audience in Everybody’s Theatre listened to his address and watched with keen interest the excellent film that was exhibited on the working of the port of London. Endeavours have been made to arrange direct shipment to New Plymouth from India and other Eastern ports, but so far nothing definite has been fixed. As a result of the efforts of the chamber, importers of fresh fruit and vegetables from abroad have been greatly helped by the modification of the regulations that previously applied to New Plymouth. POSTAL FACILITIES. . Postal matters.—At the request of those interested, we have arranged for slot telephones at the Breakwater and at Westown. We were also able to help the Okau Settlers’ Association in connection with their telephone facilities. We are now assisting the Moturoa Progressive League to get a full time post office at the port. The confusion to strangers, Irom the fact that the post and telegraph office at Mt. Egmont is listed as Tahurangi, has been the subject ot representations. Mr. Bree, chief postmaster, and also a valued honorary member of our council, was promoted to Wanganui this year. Mr. Bree was a great acquisition to the council, especially in postal matters. We have also been engaged m various other works, among which may be mention:—The obtaining of extra police protection, on account of the growth of the town; the joining in a deputation on the “Daylight Saving Bill”; assisting the Government Publicity Department, with photos of the district and reading matter for inclusion in their booklets; taking its cinematograph ‘operator through the district, as far north as Mokau, where we arranged for him to be met by the Te Kuiti chamber; supporting the North Taranaki farmers in their opposition to the Dairy Control Bill; aiding the settlers at Mangorei in getting their road metalled; supporting the efforts of the Agricultural Department in the opposition to their regulations re foot and mouth disease; the encouragement of instruction in agriculture in our primary schools; supporting the efforts of the Kohuratahi Settlers’ Association and the Tangitu settlers in their efforts to get better road access; improving the lighting oc the town clock; protesting at the growing tendency of the Government to continually alter the Customs tariff and to prohibit import of certain everyday commodities by Order in Council; assisting in entertaining Ministers ot the Crown and other distinguished visitors to the town.

The council wishes to take this opportunity of thanking the member for Taranaki (Mr. 8. G. Smith) for his whole-hearted efforts to further the work of the chamber. Both when m New 7 Plymouth and in Wellington, Mr. Smith had gone out of his way to h*dp us, and those members who have ooen in Wellington on deputations speak of him in most eulogistic terms.

Finally we extend our thanks to the press, for we frankly acknowledge that to the publicity so freely given us, we owe almost the whole of what little success has attended our efforts during the year.