MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10437, 30 September 1911, Page 5

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING

The adjourned annual meeting of I the Masterton Chamber of Commerce . was held in Murray's Hall, yesterday ,' afternoon, there being present:—' Messrs F. W. Carey (President), A. Henderson, D. Donald, J. B. Keith, W. Chamberlain, R. W. Robson, G. W. Seflar, J. Caselberg, H. G. Perry, J. Brown, J. C. Ewington, C. P]. iell, V. Donald, R. Brown, and G. C. j Summerell. i

Apologies for absence were received from Messers J. B. Moodie a'nd W. B. Chennells.

ANNUAL REPORT,

The annual report (already published in the Age) was taken as read. In moving the adoption of the ieport, Mr Carey iaid they had not been quite as successful in railway matters as they might have been. Tins was no fault of the Chamber. Th-3 Government had been hard to move. The northern approach was being widened, and the stock bridge was tinder way. The railway time-table was a very vexed question. A deputation had waited upon the Minister, and a trial had been given of the four o'clock train. This, however, had been taken off. He had reason to think that this train had been deliberately starved. At any rate, they had to put on two engines to take the six o'clock trains at times. The Rimutaka deviation was toeing pushed on. The petitions had been fairly well signed, and would ibe presented to Parliament. He hoped that something would be done during the coming year which would be for the good of the whole community. Concerning the Waipukurau railway, not much had been done, and there seemed very little hope for the present. The effort in regard to the new street had failed. The congress of Chambers of Commerce would be held! in June next, and it was hoped that this Chamber would be represented. In conclusion, Mr Carey thanked members for the assistance rendered him during the year.

Mr J. B. Keith seconded the resolution.

Speaking to the motion, Mr Daniell congratulated the Chairman upon the good attendance. This showed that the Chamber was alive. In regard to the northern approach, a. deputation had been appointed by the Chamber, but its assistance was not sought, with the result that matters had got into a muddle. In reference to the Woodville railway, the Chamber coul3 do a good deal. The Minister took great notice of Chambers of. Commerce,' and tftis Chamber should >ndeaVour to push him along. , The Rimutaba deviation was another important matter, which should be pushed as a 'business proposition. The Waipukurau railway was also a matter of considerable importance. He (the speaker) had been in Auckland lately, and he was surprised to see where a northern railway was being taken. The Waipukurau service would be of much greater importance. The Auckland people, however, were alive. What they required to do was to shake the Wellington people up. A local paper had been doing something in this matter, but had been charged with being parochial. The Wellington tradesmen should wake up. It was a fact that 'business was being diverted to Auckland from the Wairarapa. In conclusion, Mr Daniell congratulated Mr Carey upon the success attending his effsrts'during the past year. The motion for the adoption of the report was then put and carried.

OFFICERS

On the motion of Mt- Carey; seconded by Mr D. Donald, Mr Alex. Henderson was elected President for the ensuing year.

Mr Henderson thanked the members for the honour conferred upon him, and expressed the hope that good work would be done during the coming year. On the motion of Mr G. C. Summerell, seconded by Mr Keith, Mr 0. E. Daniell was elected Vice-President.

In accepting the position, Mr Daniel! said/ that the members should be active during the year. He pointed to the success which, had attended the efforts of the A. and P. Association and the Caledonian Society. He hoped that the Chamber would do something in the coming year. Personally, he shoukThave liked to have seen a younger man filling the position. He would, however, do his-best to assist the President, and he hoped to see good work done. - The following were elected a Council for the ensuing year:—Messrs R. Brown, J. Caselberg, W. E. Chamberlain', W B. Chennells, F. W. Carey, D. Donald, V. E. Donald, G. H. Perry, R. W. Robson, Jas. Brown, J. C. Ewington, J. B. Keith, J. B. Moodie, G. W. Sellar and G. C. Summerell.

Mr E. H. Waddington was elected auditor for the Chamber. THANKS.

On the motion of Mr R. W. Robson, a 'hearty vote of thank's was accorded Mr F. W. Carey, the retiring President for the able manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the Chamber during the past year. Mr Carey suitably acknowledged the compliment.