CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7966, 17 February 1906, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE COUNCIL MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday aftertijou. The members present were:— Messrs D. Donald • (chairman), J C. Ewington, E. 11. Waddngton, T.k G. ivjason, F. W. Carey, 0. E. Dauiell, R. T. Holmes, G. C. Summerell, and E. Hecksher. • Apologies for absence were received from Messrs B. J. Dolan, J. B. Keith, Jas. Elliott, E. E. Ch&mbeilain, M. Caselbarg and W. B. Chenuells. The Treasurer reported a credit bnlance of £6 10s 3d. Messrs Abraham aud Williams wrote stating that the members of the Chamber could still continue to use their Farmers' Rooms, as formerly, for meeting purposes. U was decided to thank Messrs Abraham and Williams for their offer. A letter was read from the Chairman of the District High School. Committee, asking the Chamber to help in tde movement of forming agricultural classes in Masterton by appointing a committee to meet a committee from other local bodies to consider the proposal. Mfissrs D. Donald, J. D. Cruiokshank and E. ill. Waddingtou, were appointed a. ' oommittee for the purpose men- ' lioned. Regarding the question of improving the northern approach to Masterton, and about which the Chamber wrote to the Borough and County Couucils to enquire what had been done in the• matter, '» letter was received from each of the-bodies stating that the Engineers bad not yes > conferred on the question, and nothing had been done iri the case of the former body on account of pressure of work. • The Chairman read the report appearing* in the newspapers of the manner in wnich the Chamber's letters.had been received at the meetings of the Borough and County !members, and stated that it was not lafcalt courteous. Tfan fact of the i Mayor siguifying hia intention of waiting on the County Council at their next meeting to enquire as to how tney intended to act on, the i matter demonstrated that the (Borough Council, were prepared to admit that the suggestions offered by the Chamber were useful ones. The improvement of the northern approach was one of the most important local questions of the day, and to have the approaob improved would be a great benefit to the County ratepayers. The state of the road in winter was a disgrace and-the Chamber only the assistance of the County Council to improve it. Ele moved a resolution to the effect that the County Council be asked to move back the fences on either side of the road. t> ' Mr Ewington did not think that the Council would put back the fences, but the Cbamjber Bhould keep on agitating, if they wanted the approach improved. Mr Carey drew attention to the inefficient manner in which the Waipoua Bridges were lighted at night, and stated that it was a most dangerous place* for when coming from the north it was impossible to see £my vehicles, bicycles, etc., without lights, coming in the opposite directiun. Finally, Mr Daniell moved, and Mr Ewington- seconded, "That this Chamber, representative of business interests* in Masterton, regrets to hear that the Masterton County Oouacil fails to recognise the urgent need of improving the northern approach to Masterton, as evidenced by their reply received to-day, and again urges that the risk of serious accident on and near the narrow bridges is such as to califor the immediate attention of the responsible body. Further, the lighting needs prompt attention." This motion was carried. The resignations of Messr3 J. Graham and E. Hecksher were accepted, and Messrs 0. Graham and R. E. aowell were elected to fill the vacancies. . Messrs D. Donald, J. 0. Ewington, G. C. Summerell, F. W. Carey and J. B. Mopdie, were appointed a committee with power to add*to their number, to work in uohnention with the home industries portion of the coming International Exhibition, at Christchuroh. The resolution was passed in response to a letter from that department of the Exhibition.