CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2316, 27 March 1930, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

QUARTERLY MEETING.

BEAUTIFYING VICTOEIA STREET.

The quarterly meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce was held in the Power Board Buildings last evening, when there were present: Messrs T. F. Richards (president), J. J. Collis, T. H. Welch, S. R. James, W. J. Ward, S. D. Munn, Davies, A. E. Hill, F. Kingsford, Edgar James, and the secretary, W. H. Woolley. Street Cleaning. In reply to the Chamber the Borough Council expressed the opinion that the present labour used in street cleaning and the time allowed was sufficient to keep the town always clean and tidy.— Received. Proposed Farmers' Excursion. The local stationmaster, Mr S. D. Munn, drew the Chamber's attention to the proposed farmers' excursion to be run from the Auckland Province to the South Island. Mr Munn stated that if sufficient support was forthcoming it was proposed to leave Auckland on May 13 and return to A uc hland on the 25th. Excursionists would be picked up along the line to Wellington, and the itinerary in the South Island would include Christchurch to the Cold Lakes, Dunedin and Invercargill. It was estimated that the cost of the trip, including accommodation and meals, would be £lB 10/7. The Railway Department proposed to limit the number of excursionists to 250. The chairman said the excursion was undoubtedly a splendid one and appeared to be cheap. The stationmaster said that owing to the heavy dairy season the farmers' representatives were hoping that the trip would be put on a month later. The chairman referred to the value of such excursions and gave rather surprising examples of the fact that many New Zealanders did not know their own country as they should do. Mr S. R. James supported Mr Richards' remarks, and thought they should get in touch with the Farmers' Union with a view to making a move in the matter in this district. Mr Munn pointed out that it was not solely a farmers' tour. Business men would be especially welcome. The stationmaster was thanked for bringing the matter before the notice of the Chamber. . Beautifying Main Street. Mr F. Kingsford brought up the matter of the beautification of Victoria Street. He said that in earlier years there was one long row of trees on the western side of the street, but it was noticeable that they were gradually disappearing. Now there were only three left, and it seemed only a matter of time when these would .also vanish. Cambridge, said Mr Kingsford, was famed for the results of the foresight of" the early settlers, especially in the matter of tree-planting. He thought they should look ahead, and it was his idea that the street could b.e greatly improved by the provision of three grass plots down the centre of the street. It might seem a revolutionary idea, and some might think it had disadvantages, but he thought these would disappear when the plots wore a tangible fact. He pointed out that at present an area of ten feet on the western side, of the street was not used by moving traffic on account of the trees remaining. He thought that narrow plots could be placed down the street and there would still be .ample room for traffic. There could be plenty of room left between the plots to facilitate the turning of vehicles/ The narrow plots would have the effect of dividing the traffic and causing vehicles to keep to their correct sides of the street. The chairman said a scheme on similar lines to that suggested by Mr Kingsford had been brought forward in Mr Wilkinson's time as Mayor. At that time the idea did not meet with approval.

Mr James said if there was a town beautifying society he thought it would get reasonable support. He thought if Mr Kingsford's idea met with approval it would have to have the sanction of the Highways Board. Mr Edgar James also spoke" in support of Mr Kingsford's suggestion, and mentioned the beautification schemes in cities in Australia and abroad in narrower street than Victoria Street.

Arising out of the discussion the chairman mentioned that the Domain Board now had power to call on the borough and local bodies in the district to subsidise the upkeep of the Domain. It would mean a slight rate on the borough. Mr S. R. James thought that if the Act was brought into operation locally the ratepayers should have reasonable representation on the Domain Board.