PATEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 203, 29 August 1940, Page 2

PATEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

HALI-YEARLY MEETING. PATEA, Aug. 27. The Patea Chamber of Commerce celebrated its first six months of activities when members attended a dinner at the Central Hotel, last evening. Later members retired to the hotel lounge where the half-yearly meeting was held. Mr. D. G. O’Toole, Wanganui, member of the Council of Associated Chambers of Commerce, was welcomed and introduced to members by the president, Mr. F. Ramsbottom. Mr. O'Toole had, at the request of the Patea Chamber of Commerce, come from Wang’anui to give an address on chamber of commerce matters.

Mr. O'Toole congratulated the Patea Chamber on its advancement during the past six months and expressed the opinion that Patea itself woul(i greatly benefit through the activities of the Chamber. Mr. O’Toole briefly outlined the history of the chambers of commerce and dealt with their functions and objects. To become affiliated with the Associated Chambers of Commerce, as Patea had done, was a wise and desirable move. Mr. O'Toole emphasised the necessity of every chamber of commerce adopting a policy in dealing with all issues, that would suit the Dominion as a. whole. Mr. O'Toole was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his most comprehensive and interesting address. The chairman. Mr. F. Ramsbottom, reporting on the activities of the Patea Chamber during the last six months, thanked members for their attendance and co-operation. The total membership of the Patea Chamber of Commerce was now 43. which spoke well for the enthusiasm of the people in the district.

Thanks were due to the secretary, Mr. J. Cunnison, for his efforts during the last six months, also to the committee, who had worked in the interests of all. The election of officers, which will now be for the period of 12 months, resulted: President, Mr. F. Ramsbottom (re-elected); hon. secretary, Mr. J. Cunnison; hon. treasurer, Mr. W. Bargrove; Inner council, Messrs. F. Mairs, C. R. Honeyfield, D. Roots, G, Francis. S. Cathro. L. Austin, G. Pettigrew, J. Bates. H. A. Boswell, C. P. Bates, Mrs. R. W. Haddon. Delegates to attend the annual conference of the Associated Chambers to be held in New Plymouth in November, are the president. Mr. F. Ramsbottom, and secretary, Mr. Cunnison. The latter will attend even as a non-voting member should the members of the Patea Chamber not exceed by November the 50 mark in membersnip, which allows two voting members. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £8 16s lOd. It was stated that a further £3 had been placed to the credit of the chamber with the Associated Chambers. Mrs. Clarke and Mr. L. Austin were new members elected, bringing the membership up to 47 financial members.

A suggestion put forward by Mr. O'Toole that various sub-committees be formed, was adopted and the formation of sub-committees will take place at the next meeting. It was decided to hold a general meeting next Monday to consider anything to be dealt with in connection with the annual meeting. It was also

decided to hold over the bulk of the correspondence until this meeting. In reporting the result of a deputation who met Mr. Haise of the Railway Department engineering staff to discuss the project of making a ramp in place of the present steps, which were considered dangerous, Mr. Ramsbottom said the result was most favourable and it would not be long before the new approach was an accomplished fact. A committee elected to deal with any emergency in connection with the new approach comprised the president and secretary, and Messrs. G. Francis and F. Mairs.