BUSINESS INTERESTS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1935, Page 7

BUSINESS INTERESTS

INGLEWOOD CHAMBER MEETING.

ACTIVITIES OF YEAR REVIEWED. z The annual meeting of the Inglewood Chamber of Commerce was held last night. Mr. W. J. Smith presided over a poor attendance. The president’s report stated that as in the past the faithful few had stuck together and done their best for the town. The chamber had held its monthly meetings and always Had something of interest to debate. It was the committee’s intention to have three lectures during the winter months but owing to the death of Mr. T. C. List and the inability of Inspector Rawle to find time, only one lecture was held. This was given by a motor representative on “sates talk.” This was enjoyed by a large number of the Inglewood people. With regard to the nightwatchman, the chamber found that he was not sufficiently paid for his labours and Sb several shopkeepers were interviewed and contributions were obtained, so placing him on a better financial footing. The watchman’s work had been very satisfactory and all would agree that it had been necessary to have one, especially during the past few months. Mr. Seymour, secretary of the band, had waited upon the chamber and explained the band’s financial position. Each individual member promised to help and the chamber voted £1 Is from its funds. The chamber congratulated the band on its performance and appearance during the year. There was- another big effort made by the Matau residents to have their roads improved. They sent a strong deputation to place their views before the Tarhnaki Chamber of Commerce. The Inglewood secretary and president were invite dto attend the meeting and every effort was made by the two chambers on the settlers’ behalf. The Inglewood chamber sent a deputation to Stratford to interview the clerk of the Stratford County Council and' he explained the position, giving little hope of anything being done at present. The chamber was still prepared to do all in its power to assist Matau settlers in their requests. A fetter was received from the Farmers’ Union, asking for the chamber’s support for increased facilities for motor licenses and unemployment tax •payments but, being assured that the Government would not set up a separate office for this purpose, nothing was done in the matter. The secretary had had further communication from the Farmers’ Union ■on the same subject. FINANCING NEW SCHOOL. Throughout the year the school committee and a special committee had. been very busy financing the new school and their efforts had been crowned with success. The school was in full working order and was a credit to all those who assisted. The chamber voted £2 2s.towards the fund and individual members had done their best .to forward the work. There had been much correspondence about air' mail routes. The chamber ■ strongly supported the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce’s proposal that Taranaki should be included in the air trunk service, and a tetter was sent to the Minister of Transport. The usual Christmas celebrations were carried out in the best possible manner/ The different women’s organisations ’ did' their best to make the gathering the: success it was. There Were toys enough and there was a fine Christmas tree' given by Mrs. Gamlin. With good v/ea- ; ther over 1000 children and none' was disappointed. The chamber’s thanks were due to the Mayor, the Mayoress, the chairwomen of the women’s committee," Mrs. H. Marsh (secretary) and' all who assisted. Thanks are also due to Mr. Spurdle, who so ably superintended the fixing of the extra lighting. The chamber was sorry to Ipse Mr. G. Tait from Inglewood, as he was a keen supporter of the chamber and had been, missed by the committee. The chamber wished him every success in his new, venture. Thanks were due to the borough council for the use of the council room. The balance-sheet showed that the expenditure for the year was £l3 17s 2d'. The nightwatchman’s insurance was paid by the chamber and cost £2 ss. Receipts were £l9 9s sd, of which the main item was subscriptions £l3 15s. The balance-sheet showed a cash credit of £2O Is Id, white assets totalled £2O 11s 3d, making a total credit of £4O 12s 4d. OFFICERS FpR YEAR. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. W. J. Smith; vice-president, Mr. W. Moir; secretary, Mr. E. Maetzig; committee, Messrs. A. Gamlin, S. Winfield, J. Burnip, H. Trigger, Somerton, T. Drake, F. Spurdle, N. Crossman, E. H. Braybrooke, J. Eversfield, E. Crossman and P. Basham.

It was decided that the meetings be held on the third Tuesday of each month. -

The president stated that the chamber of commerce agreed that the camp site had not been satisfactory, as the receipts had diminished each year. The borough council had been interviewed about a

new site and consequently one near the convent school had been selected, Several present" thought that Inglewood did not need a camp site as it was so poorly supported "while others thought it was an asset to the town and, if properly, managed, would induce people to camp at Inglewood. It was decided to wait till the election of the new borough council to ask its attitude to a camp site. - ■ It . was decided that the business people be asked to close their premises on May 14 for the sports day and procession in the school jubilee. < Sympathy with the Mayor in his illness was expressed. Considerable discussion took place on the half-holiday question. All present agreed that there should be a universal half-holiday and it was decided that candidates at the next general election should be approached to take the matter up. A tetter was received from the Inglewood branch of the Farmers’ Union asking the chamber's support in requesting that a penny-in-the-slot telephone should be installed and also that a ate office be opened for motor registration. Both suggestions were unanimously supported by the chamber. The following motion was carried: “That the chamber make representation to the Minister of Justice to revert to the system of having a magistrate’s court sitting presided over by a magistrate monthly instead of bi-monthly as at present and that a request be. .made to the department to appoint a further number of justices of the peace in-the borough of Inglewood.” Votes of thanks were, accorded - the borough council, Mr. Messenger (auditor) and the Press. The secretary .was voted his usual honorarium.