CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144854, 4 December 1915, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE QUARTERLY MEETING. The Taranaki Chamber of Commerce met on Friday night. Present: Messrs. W. J. Penn fin tlie chair), C. H. Burgess, S. W. Shaw, S. Teed, J. U. Sole, O, N. Firth, T. Avery, A. Goldwater, F. S. Johns, M. Fraser, H. Baily, R. C. Hughes, J. Patou, D. lx. Morrison, H. Coc-Ker, J, Clarke, and H. Stocker (secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr. Newton King. GOODS SHED ACCOMMODATION. The President reported that several members of the council had interviewed Mr. Waite, commercial agent of the Railway Department, and brought two or three matters before him. One of the principal questions dealt with was the matter of providing more accommodation, especially for bonded goods, at the goods shed, where there was constantly congestion, which was likely to become greater when trade resumed normal proportions. Mr. Waite ap poared to agree that more space was needed at the shed, but thought it ,waa the duty of tho Customs Department to provide its own special requirements. Mr. A. Goldwater pointed out that the scales at tho goods shed registered incorrectly. He recently had occasion to have a case of Bolb. weighed there, and on one scale the weight was given as S7ib., on another 881 b., and on a third 021 b. This affected consignees, and, further, the Railway Department received more than it was entitled to because of incorrect weight of exports. The President said the matter of the bond store would not bo lost sight' of, though they would probably have to wait some time before the work would bo done. The complaint made by Mr. Goldwater would be brought before the stationmaster.

THE TOWN CLOCK. Mr. Paton brought up the question of having tho town clock chimes stopped at night. He said a gentleman had recently conic to New Plymouth with the idea of staying a fortnight, but as lio could not sleep at night owing to the chimes, he left tho town after a day or two. Wanganui and other places had stopped their clocks striking at night, and Mr. Paton thought-New Plymouth should not bo behind other towns. The cost of a silencer would be from £ls to £lB.

Several speakers expressed opposition to tho proposal, pointing out that the chimes rang in all the cities, and in some places there was more than one clock with Chiracs. ME Eaton thought, a change would be for the public good. “I don’t think it vitally affects the public at large.” said one member, “and is rather a matter for those intimately concerned to take up.” Mr. Shaw moved that the next business should be proceeded with, and the discussion dropped. Tho President reported that tho slot telephone had been installed, also a receiving box for telegrams. This would be cleared frequemly. and thus save business people the trouble of sending up to the post office every time they wished to dispatch a telegram.' In connection with the matter of coal weights, discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Penn said a bettor system of weighing bad now beeir adopted, and he was informed by coal merchants that there was now little or no cause for complaint. D'sciifsions on other matters dealt with are reported elsewhere.