CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 180, 17 January 1913, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The regular monthly meeting of the above Chamber was held in the Cosmopolitan Club Room on Tuesday evening. This was one of the most fully representative meetings the Chamber has yet held.

Minutes,

The minutes of the previous neeting were read and confirmed.

New Member

Mr F. H. Vile (saddler) was unanimously elected a member of the Chamber.

Outward Correspondence

The outward correspondence was read and confirmed.

Inward Correspondence. A letter was received from Mr Edwards, secretary to the Fire Brigade, asking the Chamber’s assistance and support for the newly constituted brigade.—it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to inform the Brigade that the Chamber expressed its appreciation of the efforts of the promoters of the Brigade, and pledged itself both individually and collectively to support them. A letter was received from the Secretaiy of the G.P.0., Wellington, stating that to give tele'phoiiic communication between Te Awamutu and Kawhia it would be necessary to erect 18 miles of new line from Te Rau-a-moa to Kawhia at‘ an estimated cost of £750. The Department would erect the line when the funds were available, conditionally on the Chamber guaranteeing the estimated annual deficiency of £24 5s. —It was resolved that the secretary be asked to wait on the Secretary to the Postal Depaitment at Wellington with a view to obtaining further information on the matter. A letter was received from the Postal Department, stating that the erection of four posting boxes in the town had been‘approved. Business Holidays.

The secretary reported that he had submitted the list of holidays to the business houses for signature, and published it together with a list of signatures obtained in the WAIPA POST. Mr Fear mentioned that when

framing the list the committee had not noticed that the Ngaruawahia Regatta occurred during Easter week, and suggested that this day be deleted. On consideration, however, it was decided that it was too late for the Chamber to do anything in the matter. Booklet. The secretary reported that the sum of £7 lOs had been received towards the booklet fund, and regret was expressed that this most commendable suggestion had not met with a more ready response. Fruit Culture. The secretary drew attention to the desirability of encouraging fruit culture in the district. Te Awamutu and district was par-

ticularly well suited to fruit growing, and he thought the Chamber should take the matter up. Mr I. Jones mentioned that he had had some experience of fruit-growing in Nelson, and was much surprised at the lack of orchards in the districts. He himself had planted 1% acres, and the trees were doing splendidly —quite as well as they did in Nelson. He thought the Puniu flats, were well suited for apples and all kinds of stone fruit. He had known as much as £IOO an acre to be received frOm apples in Nelson. It would of course be necessary to establish a cannery for dealing with stone fruit. He would very much like to see the Chamber take the matter up.

Others also spoke in favour of the'proposition, and it was finally resolved that the Agricultural Department be asked to send an officer to report as to the suitability of the district for fruit growing.

Telephones. The telephone committee reported that applications! had now been received for about 60 phones on the party system. The committee would be visiting Te Tahi on Thursday and Te Rore on Saturday, 18th inst. Mr Stewart reported that an engineer had visited Te Awamutu last week and inspected the routes of proposed new lines. The Department would start the work of construction immediately gangs were available, but it would be necessary for subscribers to get to work on their own private wires, as the Department expected the private lines to be completed before commencing construction from Exchange outward. On completion of the telephones ordered the hours would be extended from 8 to 12, or 7 to 11, which ever was found most suitable. Dairy Factory.

Mr Lawson stated that a cooperative dairy factory would be started locally before long, and he thought the members should do everything they could individually to assist in the matter.

Town Hall Exits,

It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to write the Board thanking them for agreeing to attend to the matter of emergency exits. Mr Massey’s Reception.

At the request of a member, Mr von Stunner explained why the Chamber had not participated in the welcome to the Prime Minister. Beyond a personal invitation by the chairman to the breakfast, the Chamber had never been invited ‘to co-operate

with the Board. The Council was of opinion that the Chamber had been insulted, and the resolution was the upshot. After some further discussion it was proposed by Mr I. Jones, seconded by Mr Middlebrook that the acdun of the Council in the matter be approved. Oa the motion being put by Dr Henderson, it was unanimously carried, and with acclamation.