LOCAL CHAMBER

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 48, 28 October 1925, Page 5

LOCAL CHAMBER

PROGRESS OF DISTRICT. REPORT CONTINUED. “As the result of organisation on the part of the Council of the Chamber, a Christmas Shopping Week was hold, and considerable propaganda carried out, in pursuance of the injunction, ‘Shop in Waipukurau!’ Later in the year, retailers participated in a further community advertising effort incidental to the opening of the new Municipal Theatre, erected at a cost of £lB,OOO. in all. This Shopping Week extended from May 30th to June 6th. The Government Pulbicity Office afforded the Chamber an opportunity of proclaiming the residential, scenic and industrial progressive features of this town and countryside, and a committee was set up to supply the necessary particulars. “Subsequently, the Napier Chamber wrote as to, participation in provincial representation at the' New Zealand Exhibition at Dunedin, but no definite scheme has been brought forward, up to the present. It is to be regretted that Hawke’s Bay is not moving in this direction to the same extent as other parts of the Dominion, but the matter is engaging the somewhat belated attention of commercial men in Napier, from whom we may expect some suitable lead.

“Railway matters have naturally come within our scope of watchfulness, and the various points of view expressed in regard to improvements have received attention. “On the occasion of the visit of Mr Marshall, District Transport Agent, we took steps to invite settlers to meet him, the result being a well-attended gathering, and much useful information as to freights and changes in various phases of railway policy was forthcoming. The opportunity was availed of to bring under the notice of this officer the matter of widening the street leading to the railway station, also improving the trucking yards. At the same time the need for carrying out loading-bank improvements at Hatumn, was brought forward. With the exception of the street-widening proposal, in regard to which essential request an answer is still awaited, the various matters mentioned have received favourable consideration.

“While we have been able to point, to satisfaction being accorded various representations as to postal facilities, it is to be regretted that Waipukurau is not considered of sufficient importance to warrant opening the local office, for the transportation of postal and telegraphic business, between the Kburs of 7 and 8 p.m. “The Chamber, having confidence in the future development of Waipukurau and Central Hawke’s Bay generally, is alive to the call for giving the town and supporting countryside a helping hand along the road of steady progression, and while able to point to several directions in which the value of a body functioning as a “community clearinghouse’ ’is clearly demonstrated, it is evident that its scope of usefulness could be considerably augmented were all business people and leading private citizens to accord the Chamber the’ support we believe to be merited as to increased membership.

‘‘ To business men the Chamber makes a special appeal, of course, because it enables the exchange of ideas to take place as concerning problems of common concern, while through being associated with the Dominion body governing commercial affairs, the deliberations as affecting both local and national questions are given added weight. It should be remembered, too. that by development of a central body of adivsory value, and calculated to promote unity of purpose, the overlapping so evident in most towns as applied to community objectives, can be obviated to a marked degree, thus avoiding diffusion of energy and the added expense attendant upon a multiplicity of organisations. “We gladly record appreciation of the support local bodies and various with which we have from time to time been associated, have accorded community movements in which the Chamber has been interested, and, incidentally, the local and distress Press publicity, animated by a desire to do justice to the community worth and claims of Waipukurau. “It was shown that 31,019 passengers had booked from the local station, the revenue being £8033, a record only exceeded by three other Hawke’s Bay towns. In goods traffic figures, Waipukurau occupied first place for stock outward, with a total of 195,138, second highest position for timber —exclusive of the port of entry, Ahuriri —and likewise for tonnage of goods, 3356. We were fourth as to total revenue produced, viz., £21,826. “Finally, I desire, as president, to thank my associates, both officers' and Council, for. their loyal co-operation throughout my term of office, in the discharge of which I have found compensation in the pleasure derived from attempting to do duty to the objects of the Chamber. ’ ’

Mr J. A. Kerse is the president for 1925-26, and Mr R. W. Carpenter vicepresident.

Messrs W. Johnstone, W. Lourie, J. J. East, F. V. Ward, T. Given and J. E. Hall constitute the Council, while Mr J. Warren is the secretary.