CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12257, 3 July 1909, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Tho usual monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday morning, there being present:—Messrs J. H. Keesing (chair), J. T. Hogan, M.P., H. S. G. Harper, A. Barnes, S. H. Manson, W. Brown, T. B. Williams, A. .Robinson, D. McFarlane, E. A. Campbell, A. Burnett, C. H. Walker, and J. L. Stevenson (secretary).

MINUTES.—The minutes of the previous meeting and of a special meeting were read and confirmed.

CONGRATULATIONS.—The members of the Chamber congratulated Mr T. 13. Williams on his recovery from his accident.

RIVER BANK ROAD.—The following letter was read from the Waitotara County Council: —"The Chairman, Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. —Dear Sir, —I am instructed to send you a copy of a resolution passed by the Waitotara County Council in reply to the deputation that waited on the Council yesterday to ascertain what support the Council would give to the proposed road to the back country through Messrs: Cave Bros.' property:—' That a letter ! bo sent to the Wanganui Chamber of ■ Commerce, stating that the Waitotani ~\ County Council have no direct interest in the proposed road, as they are not de- j riving any rates from the lands bene- \ fited, and are not likely to ; and that as these sections were loaded when leased for roading purposes, and there j is no legalised outlet, the Council con- j siders it a purely Government matter.' j —Yours faithfully signed) H. E. Dymock, clerk." —A brief discussion followed, and it was ultimately decided to again urge the Government to take the necessary steps to acquire the land necessary for this short connection of road.

GENERAL CONFERENCE. The following letter was read: —

Wellington Chamber of Commerce Wellington, 28th June, 1909 The Secretary,

Chamber of Commerce, Wanganui.

Dear Sir, — You will probably be interested to know that an organising committee has been opened in Sydney in reference to the Conference of British Chambers of Commerce to be held in that city from September 14th to September 23rd. Of this committee, the Hon. Mr William Knox is chairman, and Mr Alexander McMorland is secretary, the office being at the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, Royal Exchange, Sydney.

From the offiial programme issued by the London Chamber of Commere, I learn that specific invitations have been issued to the following New Zealand Chambers, namely :—Auckland, Canterbury, Dunedini, G'isborne, Greymouth, Hokitika, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, Palmerston, Taranaki, Wellington, Westport.

I am writing the organising secretary as to representation of other chambers, but of course it is open to you to communicate direct on 'any point. I learn also under the rules adopted, Chambers, "representing towns with a population of under a quarter of a million " aro entitled to nominate two delegates, and to exercise one vote.

I have received a letter from the Organising Secretary asking to be informed of the names of delegates as soon as possible, and offering to meet them on arrival, if advised of the date, also furnishing lists of hotels, lodging houses, etc., for information of delegates.

I have also to inform you that the Intercolonial Steamboat Companies have agreed to grant passages to Sydney to delegates and their wives and members of their families at a discount of 20 per cent, on ordinary fares. Delegates to produce certificate from the secretary of the local Chamber of Commerce. —Faithfully yours,

E. CARROL,

Secretary

The Chairman's suggestion that the Chamber should secure right of representation was adopted.

ADVANCES TO SETTLERS.—The subject of Advances to S&ttlers was introduced by Mr E. A. Campbell, who referred to a. recently published telegram stating that a million and a half would ba available for settlers under tho Advances to Settlers Act. Mr Campbell said that a great part of the land around Wanganui was leaseholdnative lease especially—and not a penny of tho money referred to was available for this land. Money was urgently required for the development of native leases and he understood that the people who took up those leases had boen lod to understand that they could procure loans from tho Government. He suggested that the Chamber (should urge on the Government the necessity for remedying the position. Mr Hogan said it was hoped that an Oi der-in-Council would soon, be issued to make tho provisions of the Act apply to leases granted by the native Councils.

CONFERENCE.—On the motion of Mr Campbell it was resolved to hold a special meeting to receive the report of Mr Campbell, who was the Council's delegate at the Conference of Chambers of Commerce held some time ago.

RAETIHI RAILWAY .—A letter .was received from the Itactihi Progressive Association asking for the Council's co-operation in regard to a branch railway from the Main Trunk to Raetihi. —Mr Hogan said he though this had been authorised, but the changes of Ministers had caused the matter to be hung up. So far as a line from Raetihi to Wanganui was concerned, the Minister was disinclined to proceed with the survey, winch he {the Minister) estimated would ccst £60 per mile.—lt was resolved to inform the. Raetihi Association that the matter is receiving the attention of the Chamber and the member for the district.

Of the great piano makers, there is always one that can be most safely trusted to furnish the instrument required in any single case. The Dresden Piano Company stocks the instruments of all the great houses. Before you buy a piano you will do well to profit by the Company's experience. And if you want to buy on easy terms, the company will arrange the matter for you without any embarrassing conditions. In a wellordered house of this century a piano is as necessary as a sideboard. Local lepresentative, Mr L. W. W. Brown, Salek's Buildings, Guyton Street.

PIANOS AND ORGANS: Dresden Annual Sale now on at Wei lington and at all branch&s.