HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 71, 17 December 1917, Page 19

HASTINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A live, watchful body of business men is the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, which was established practically simultaneously with, the raising of Hastings to the status of a borough. Any that arises which is likely, to affect, the interests of Hastings or the surrounding district is always given tho most careful consideration, and many of the forward movements which have been for the betterment of the town and its business people have had their genesis in the Chamber of Commerce, and have been successfully carried through by the weight of influenco the chamber carries. ° When it is appreciated that the chamber is imbued with tho loftiest ideas and ideals that mean the advancement of the people as a whole, and not tho individual, the chamber must be given an honourable niche in tho regard of every resident in tho district The chamber keeps a sharp eve on what is going on elsewhere, and therein- is able to supply a fund of information to its members. The present chairman is Mr. J. A. Miller, a go-ahead gentleman with good notions that often hit the high spot of achievement. It was Mr. Miller who declined nomination as Mayor until he persuaded his supporters to_ back him up in raising a loan of £85,000 for a hi<rli-prossurc water supply, extension ofthe drainage scheme, and the establishment of an electric light system. Tie obtained the promise, was elected, and within six months had pulled off tho'big loan, the spending of which has meant <?o much to the municipal advancement of Hastings. Mr. Miller comes of good pioneer stork. His father acted as auctioneer when Hastings was first put on the market as a town site, away back in the 'seventies. In Mr. V. M. Oui?lev_the chamber has a courteous and obliging secretary.

The retail price for petrol in.Fastings is As. a gallon—and ihe motorcars ar" thicker than over mi the Napier Hoad. Messrs. Kendall and Holmes, fcatty crston, hnvc an advertisement m ihis issue relating to their soldiers' camp stores at Feathcrston and Tnnherenikan. The firm have commenced extensive miildinu; operations at their Kcatherston town shop, and will shortly oneira'hig showroom. Lnri'.e slocks of toys for"the Christmas trade lire cn hand! mid 'A'airiuann residents are promised every satisfaetion_whe.il dealing with this progressive firm.