Annual Meeting.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8279, 21 October 1905, Page 6

Annual Meeting.

At the conclusion of the meeting of the Council, the annual meeting of members was held, when Messrs J. C. Ewington, G. C. Summerell ancl B. J. Dolan were also present.

The balance-sheet, which was presented, showed a credit balance of £62 8s Id (including £50 on deposit in Building Society.) The following report was presented : — Means of communications are a first necessity in commercial enterprises, and during the five years of its existence this Chamber has persistently urged on the local bodies, and the Railway Department, the needs of the district. This year we have the satisfaction to report that the road through Te Whiti towards Te Wharau and East Coast is so far improved as to permit regular traffic, and a regular bi-weekly brake service is now maintained to the advantage of both town and country interests.

Our experience with the Railway Department is hardly as satisfactory. We have urged that better yard and goods shed accommodation be provided. The authorities admit the need of the work, and actually started operations, but though some months have passed no real progress has been made, ancl there is reason to fear that the busy season will bring with it the usual congestion in the station yards, with its attendant annoyance and loss. Neither the promised weigh-bridge nor the improved crane is yet available.

Secondary Education—Our last report referred to efforts being made to get improved facilities for the advanced classes, at our District High School. It is satisfactory to report that a contract has now been let for building the necessary rooms, while tho local Trust Lands Trust is subscribing liberally funds for equipping the chemistry and cooking classes, proposed to be located in a portion of the new building.

Technical Education. —Desiring to encourage our young citizens who study at the Technical School, this Chamber after conferring with the Technical School Managers, has allotted a sum of money for prizes to students who are shown to apply their talents.

Approaches to Masterton.—ln the matter of the improvement of the northern approach to the. town. After some correspondence with the local authorities and deputations to the County Council, a representative committee from the local bodies met, and discussed the proposal made by this Chamber, when it was determined to direct tho Engineers of the Masterton County and Masterton Borough Council to report on the practicability and cost of the work. We await the engineers' report. Other matters now interesting the Chamber are electric power generated by pur local streams, the keystone of local industries, telephone communication with Wellington, and fast passenger and light goods service between Masterton and the outlying districts.

Th 3 Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said that the question might be asked as to whether the Chamber, since its inception five years ago,

had justified its existence. They were, no doubt, looked upon by some as a body of irresponsible agitators; but as business men ancl citizens they had responsibilities to face, and_it was gratifying to know that they had done some good in the past. There were still many tilings to which they might turn their attention, one of the most important being to give outlying farmers and settlers proper facilities for bringing their produce to Masterton, and making this a distributing contre. In this connection he referred to the proposal of the County Council to indirectly tax produce coming from the Mauriceville County to Masterton. The same thing had happened with regard to the Castlepoint County, and Masterton suffered loss in consequence. Tho farmers were the mainstay of the town and district and they should be catered for as much as possible. Mr Daniell referred to tho railway returns, from tho year 1900 to the present period, showing that while on the whole there had beon an advance, yet in rainy particular lines there there had been a falling oil The quantity of wool shipped, for instance, showed a decrease of about 450 bales, due to the fact that better facilities were given for carting it to Castlepoint and shipping it there.

In referring to the grant made to the Technical School, the speaker said the moral effect,of the Chamber taking an interest in the,institution would be very great. They should do all in their power to further the education of the young men and women who were growing up in the town.

Mr Daniell also referred to tho other matters mentioned in the report, and concluded by thanking the Press for the assistance rendered during the year.

Mr Chennells seconded the motion to adopt the report and balance-sheet. He referred to the excellent work done by the retiring President. He was, without doubt, the most energetic and observant member of the Council, and was also gifted with much initiative. The wonder was that he could find so much time to devote to affairs outside his own business. Mr Chennells said he sincerely hoped that, while Mr Daniell was retiring from the office of President, they would still have the benefit of his advice ancl energy on the Council.

The motion was carried

On the motion of Mr Dolan, seconded by Mr Caselberg, it was decided to urge upon the Minister for Justice the desirability of proceeding at once with the erection of the new Courthouse at Masterton, which work had already been sanctioned and an amount placed on the estimates.

Officers were elected as follows : President, Mr Donald Donald ; vice-president, Mr J. D. Cruickshank ; Council, Messrs J. C. Ewington, C. E. Daniell, F. W. Carey, J. B. Moodio, M. Caselberg, E. E. Chamberlain, W. B. Chennells, B. J. Dolan, J. Elliott, J. Graham and R. T. Holmes.

A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring President and to Messrs Lowes and lorns for the use of the room.