CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 86, 16 February 1912, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The regularly monthly meeting of the above Chamber was held at Bockett's Buildings on Tuesday evening, at which some 20 members were present. Mr G. M. A. Ahier (vice-president) presided. The minutes were duly confirmed, and the outward correspondence was read. Telegraph Office Hours.

The Chief Postmaster wrote stating that the representation of the Chamber had been favourably considered, and that arrangements would be made at an early date to extend the hours of the Telephone Exchange from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the telegraph office from 8 a.m. to 5 P-m- and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Railway Facilities.

The District Traffic Manager at Auckland wrote stating that it was regretted that the traffic at Te Awamutu railway station did not warrant the appointment of a "clerk at the goodshed. Apart from a formal acknowledgment no reply was received to the request to have a fireplace provided in the ladies' waiting room at the local station. After considerable discussion it-was resolved that the secretary be instructed to again bring under the notice of the Department the need of a fireplace in the waiting room and for telephone communication with the goodshed.' Mangaronga Road.

Mr M. C. Lawson wrote stating N that the work of forming the above road had been suspended indefinitely, and asked the Chamber to urge upon those responsible the need for immediate action.—lt was resolved that a letter be sent to the resident engineer asking that -steps be taken to comply with the request. Workers' Dwellings. Messrs J. Middlebrook, W, F. Stewart, and A. G. "Warburton, a committee appointed at a former v meeting, handed in a report of the available land for workers' dwellings. The report showed that four different sites had been offered at prices ranging from £6O to £2OO per acre.—After considerable discussion,,, during which it was suggested that the matter be 'delayed until after the valuations for the ensuing term were made known, it was resolved to forward the report to the authorities, and ask that steps be taken to introduce the Workers' Dwellings Act to Te Awamutu.

Holidays

Messrs Fear, West and Warburton, a committee appointed to * submit a list of holidays, for the current year, handed in their report, which showed that some ten days were provided for in the Shops and Offices and Factories Acts. Another four days namely Feb. 2lst, Combined Trades Picnic : March 6th, Cambridge Show; March 17th, Ngaruawahia Regatta ; and Nov. 6th, Hamilton Show, were proposed. It was suggested that Feb. 15th (Te Kuiti Show) be added to the list. Messrs Goodfellow Ltd.

(Mr Fear) wrote stating that the present system of arranging special holidays was unsatisfactory to business men and public alike. He pointed out that

several who had signed'the list asking the Town Board to proclaim a holiday had expressed the intention of working with closed doors. This was a principle to be discouraged. He also objected to the threat made that he would be compelled to close, which, in his opinion was carrying things too far. In conclusion he suggested that it would probably be advisable to call a special meeting of the Chamber *~ in the event of a special holiday, and if deemed advisable, to ask the Town Board to arrange"for the closing of business premises on the recommendation of the Chamber. Mr Bockett explained that the secretary, Te Kuiti A. & P. Association had written asking the Town Board to ascertain if it would be possible to arrange a holiday for the first annual show at that town. As secretary to the Board he had been instructed to interview the various business people, and the suggestion, with the exception of Mr Fear, had met with general support. He submitted details up to the signing of the petition by other business men. Mr Teasdale considered that the Board had acted reasonably in endeavouring to arrange the holiday. 'Te Awamutu had always received unlimited support from 'Te Kuiti, and it was onlv right we should reciprocate as far as possible. It was absurd to think that one man could govern the whole town in a matter like i Spinley explained that it was practically ! impossible for him to comply with the frequent requests for local holidays on account of the stringent regulations of his arbitration award. Mr W. J. Phillips : If the holidav for the Te Kuiti Show is not arranged, it would probably be advisable to delete all the show davs from the list submitted. Mr Stewart favoured every opoortunity being taken full advantage of to support agricultural shows. Although not directly interested in holidays, it had freciuently occurred to him that the practice obtaining in Te Awamutu of allowing only a matter of hours and sometimes minutes between the time of deciding Jon and the closing business v - premises was most unbusiness-

like and unsatisfactory to both the .tradespeople and the public.

After further discussion it was duly proposed by Mr Blennerhassett that the date for the Te Kuiti Show be added to the list. Considerable discussion followed the whole of which showed the most sincere sympathy in the proposed holiday. It was ultimately resolved that the committee be thanked for drawing up the report and that the matter be referred to a special meeting of the Chamber expressly called to consider holiday proposals. Messrs Middlebrook, Bockett, and Warburton (together with the chairman of the Town Board) were requested to interview the business people and endeavour to arrange the holiday as from 10 o'clock on Thursday to allow a full attendance at Te Kuiti's initial A. and P. Show. Hedges.

It was resolved that the Town Board be asked to enforce the By-law respecting overhanging trees and hedges. Fire Escape at Town Hall. Mr Spinley pointed out that there was very inadequate provision made for patrons at the Town Hall to escape in the case of fire. He suggested that the Town Board be written to and asked to provide better means of exit. A resolution to this effect was carried unanimously.

School Site

Mr Spinley stated that it was already well-known that the present school grounds were most unsuitable and dangerous for the children. ■ He considered that some provision should be made for future improvements which would sooner or later have to be effected, and suggested that the Education Department be requested to acquire the site laid off for a cemetery, but was not to be used for that purpose. Mr Teasdale ' considered that the need of better grounds was not so important as some people considered. He suggested that the native property would be a more suitable site. It could be acquired by the Government for that purpose without very much difficulty, whereas, owing to the uncertainty of the title it was a difficult matter to arrange for private disposal. If the Government acquired this site it would be possible to run a road through to the domain property, which was an important consideration. tt only requires taking in hand and something could be done. Mr Stewart considered the site suggested by Mr Teasdale a most valuable one, and amply large for extensive recreation purposes. He referred to the many difficulties before the school committee in improving the present school site, and pointed out the absolute impossibility of ever providing reasonable recreation grounds for the children. A considerable expenditure on improvements was contemplated by the school committee, but he was of opinion that the committee would be wise in gettimg the whole town behind it in a movement to induce the Education Department to acquire theArawata street property. After further discussion a resolution favouring the proposal was most unanimously carried.

Teasdale Estate

The secretary reported that no reply had been received from the Crown Lands Department respecting sections 28, 29 and 30, Teasdale Estate.

Notice Cards. The secretary stated that only financial members would in future- be advised by card of meetings. The meeting concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair and to Mr Bockett for the use of his rooms.