CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12002, 20 October 1906, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon, when there were pesent — M!«isrß G. Caiman (President), the Mayor (Mr C. B. Mackay), W. G. Bassett, J. Brechin, J. T. Stewart, H. Sarjeant, T. B. Williams, H. S. G. Harper, F. M. Spurdle, A. H. Lewis, F. Webb-Jones, R. Yarrow, H. H. Thompson, W. Brown, J. L. Stevenson (Secretary), Lloyd Jones, D. McFarlane and C. H. Walker, the latter being elected at the meeting. RANGITATAU EAST ROAD EXTENSION — The President reported with regard to the deputation' which waited on the Minister of Lands asking for a Government grant to extend the road from the Rangitatau to open up the Crown lands between the Wanganui and Waitotara Rivers. The Minister was sympathetic, and the deputation had great hopes of the road being proceeded with. RIVER TRUST— Mr T. D. Cummins, Secretary of. the River Trust, wrote asking for the co-operation of the Chamber with the Trust \n its endeavours to secure a substantial Government grant for the vigorous prosecution of work in the upper reaches of the river. — In the course of a short discussion the Mayor remarked that, while he sympathised with the Premier in respect to the charges made against him, he thought Sir Joseph Ward should sink his personal feelings when the matter was of such colonial importance. — Mr Harper said that Sir Joseph Ward had done a great deal towards assisting the Trust in the improvement of the river. The greater part of the work had been done, and it would be a very great pity that the "ship should be spoilt for a 'haporth o' tar." — On the motion of Mr Stewart it was resolved, "That in view of the great importance of the Wanganui River navigation, this Chamber hopes that the Government will place a sufficient sum on- the Estimates to enable the work in the upper reaches to be carried on during the ensuing summer, and that a deputation be authorised to bring the matter before the Government." WHARF SHED ACCOMMODATION— The Secretary of the Harbour Board (Mr W. Rodwell) wrote, at the request of the Board, inviting the co-operation of th« Chamber in connection with the Board's application for extra wharf accommodation. — It was mentioned that the District Traffic Manager (Mr W. Stringleman) had admitted that further accommodation was necessary, and it was also stated that in consequence of the lack of room the Kailway Department had to handle th« goods several times. On the motion of *Lr ilarper the- toilowmg resolution waa earned: — "In view ot the scant wharf siie^i. a<:eomm<Mlfltlon a.fc W £LH{££LnUl and. £h& serious inconvenience to snippers and uupoi tere, tai)i Chamber urges the Government to at once «eriou6iy consider this important question, especially as the Han way Department is sunering considerable pecuniary loss by the extra handling ot goods." Ui J oivOfOlTO — Mir P. L. Cameron wiole witii reierence to the roatt opening up tli<) laud on lue ieii Laiut oi tlie n uii^a^iui i.;ver, iii cuxkiuxiion Vila wuiwii iLu i_.u.".UiUCi has becu cUii.gdi.iCiti.ijr ," >i i o '... Cixieluu «iit-luoCCi a, icti/uT • lll l .. "■•_ iluu >\ . Hall-Jones, in rc^lj w .. j.uiiuiu.tuiiou lioui Mr A. hi. Kemuiguu, Ja.ii.ii., iv which tlie Minuter staled Lnii Uic iv^ieacnt^tions of the member lor llangiUkei would receive earneS'c- con-toidci-Jitiou when compiling the Public Works Estimates for tlie current year. " PARAPAKA RoAi>>— The President said that Mr Remington had had several interviews with the Minister for Publio Works on this undertaking; and he had promised that the work- suould be «mtgetically proceeded with. He hoped by the end ot March that the road would be completed as iar as the Parapara, which, would be a very satisfactory progress, breaking, as it would, the heart of the roughest country. He (tho President) had been informed that from the Raetihi end there were three miles of good road, a similar distance being in lair order. I'aen onwards patches of fairly level country were met with, on which, there were no great engineering difficulties. TJaLHfHONU HOURS EXTENSION— Mr McFarlane moved, That representations be made to the Government that the time has arrived when the hours during which the telephone service is open should be extended. — It was pointed out that the extension could be obtained at any time when the subscribers applied for it, and that an extra charge of £2 per annum would be made for telephones in business places if the extended hours were granted, while the fee for private connections would be unaltered. — This was considered an anomaly, as business people who did not require the extension were called on to pay for private individuals who would benefit by the change. — The President and. Mr McFarlane were deputed to wait on the Department with regard to the matter, the motion being held over. DECIMAL COINAGE— On the motion of Mr Sarjeant a motion was passed approving of the adoption of the system of decimal coinage and the metric system when the Empire was prepared to move in the matter. SALVATION ARMY.— Adjutant Dickens wrote asking for a donation on behalf* of the rescue work of tlie Salvation Army.— Resolved, that a reply be sent to the Adjutant pointing out that the Chamber has no funds other than members' subscriptions. MANAWATU RAILWAY.— A letter waa received containing a resolution passed by the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce in requesting the Government to take over the Manawatu Railway Company's line. — Tli© Chairman thought it would be against the commercial interests of the colony. — Resolved that the letter be received.