CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16653, 19 November 1925, Page 11

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU. IMPORTANT BUSINESS. The monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce was held on Tuesday evening, when a fair attendance was presided over by Mr R. A. Coyne (President). An apology was received from Mr W. D. R. McCurdie and Mr W. H. Cullcy. Messrs F. Parsons and A. Rowan were elected members of the Chamber. The President reported that It was impossible to arrange a deputation to the Prime Minister on the occasion of his recent visit to Tc Awamutu. Mr Laurie, the new stationmaster, was accorded a hearty welcome as a member of the Chamber, the president expressing the Chamber's desire to work in harmony with all Government Departments, especially _ the railways. The late stationmaster, Mr A. Fowkc, had been a keen member.' ■ and his knowledge of railway ;..ffairs was of invaluable help in the Chamber's deliberations. Mr Laurie acknowledged the welcome, and said he hoped to at all times work for the good of the town and district. Railway Matters. Mr A. Rowan, spokesman for the i local master carriers, asked for the Chamber's co-operation in making representations to the Railway authorities to obtain better equipment at the local railway station. The volume" of business had grown appreciably and steadily, and the equipment and staff in his opinion were quite inadequate. The present staff was doing its best ' under difficult circumstances, but the work was getting beyond it. Carriers were unable to get clearance for goods for distribution all over the country side without long delay, this entailing added expense to customers. He considered there was a clear case for asking the railway authorities to provide a large staff, an additional loop line for shunting, and an extension of the goods, shed accommodation. Speaking in support, Mr 11. Andrew referred to the development of the district. Much new country had been I brought in. and this entailed extra railway work. There are now three dairy companies operating, with Te Awamutu as their headquarters. The Power Hoard was dolus a big business at the railway station. Further, the railway buildings were small and out of dale. In fact, there was no decent sanitary' service, and no electric light. The sanitary arrangements were deplorable, for the present system was required lo serve sonic :t0 employees and their families, in addition to the general public doing business at the station. The goods shed was far too small for the business done, and this caused congestion, resulting in much delay and confusion in the handling of goods. He believed the stationmaster was doing his best j to work his staff advantageously, but it seemed to him that a larger staff was urgently necessary. The trouble had become accentuated during the past twelve months. Mr Rowan was assured by the president that the Chamber was keenly desirous of assisting to obtain better facilities at the railway station. They realised that there was congestion there. Mr Laurie said that he, of course, was new to the district, and a new timetable for extra trains had just been introduced, necessitating a reconstruction of the staff duties. He proposed to give the new staff alterations a week's trial, when probably he would need to make further alterations He could not promise this would be effective, but he coujd give an assurance that the facilities would . be improved. At the stationmaster's suggestion the matter was deferred for a month. The Booklet. The secretary reported that in connection with the proposed booklet the Borough Council was contributing £2O, the Te Awamutu Power Board £2O, and the A.P. and 11. Association £2 2s, while the Waipa Racing Club had left the matter of contributing in the hands of the chairman, Mr. A. S. Wallace, for favourable consideration. The Te Awamutu Development League was apparently not functioning, but he understood it had funds in hand, and no doubt would assist with the booklet scheme, as this would forward the object of the League. Ofilcial notification was received from the Railway Board of railway-time-table alterations, including the inclusion of Te Awamutu as a slopping place for the new daylight Auck-land-Wellington express trains. The president's reply, thanking the board for the very evident recognition of the requirements of Te Awamutu, was approved. General. Mr. Jourdain explained the proposal to establish a Junior High School in Tc Awamutu, and detailed the result of the recent conference of committeemen from the schools !n Te Awamutu and neighbourhood. As secretary of the Te Awamutu District High School Committee, and acting at the request of the recent conference, he had written to Mr. E. C. Banks, of Matamata, asking if he can spare the time to address meetings in several of the country districts in support of the proposal. No reply from Mr. Banks had vet come to hand, but if he would not come a delegation of Te Awamutu residents in favour of the proposal would address meetings arranged by country school committees. A sub-committcc-had been set up by the conference to arrange details. , A circular letter from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce on the subject of immigration was received. The risk to public health and of fire caused by the railway authorities' failure to equip railway houses in Te Awamutu with electric light in place of the present lamp and candle methods was referred to, when it was stated that the three new railway cottages on Palcrangi Road and railway cottages at Tc Kawa and Ohaupo and other places have electric light installed, yet the four older houses have no such installations. The sewerage position was a menace to public health and the attention of the authorities ■should be called to this fact. Mr. Warhurton referred to the insurance premium rates-on lire risks, and asked what was the position bearing on the promise made on behalf of t-ho Fire Underwriters' Association that as soon as the fire-fighting equipment of the borough was brought up-to-date insurance rates would be reduced by to per cent. He had made inquiries and could not find that the promised reductions had been made, fie thought, that some enquiry should be made for a definite, pronouncement upon the subject. There was a good deal of feeling among the residents Who had sanctioned a loan of £ISOO for adequate flre-flghtlng apparatus in anticipation that the promise would be fulfilled. The Flro Brigade is now equipped efficiently, yet no reduction in premiums had been made. Mr. Haseidon gave his version of a

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(statement made by Captain Watts, of the Fire Underwriters' Association, to the Borough Council, to the effect that if the fire fighting apparatus is not brought up to date there would be no reduction. It was remarked that some agents of insurance companies were maintaining that a reduction of 10 per cent, had been made, but this reduction was universal and not confined merely to Te Awamutu. The secretary was instructed to write to the Fire Underwriters' Association, asking for a clear and concise statement of the position. Mr. Oltphant gave notice to move at next meeting that the secretary's salary be fixed at £ls per annum. lie oxplained that the work of an efficient secretary was so great that £ls was I lie least that could reasonably be offered, and he thought the Chamber could pay that sum.