CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3705, 31 May 1883, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL REPORT

The first annual general meeting of the Napier Chamber of Commerce Avas held this afternoon Avhen the following report Avas presented: — Tho committee have tho pleasure of prcssixtiixt*- to tlic members tlie iix-st fixxxixxiil x-e----p-H-fc of the Napier Chamber of Commerce. Though only the first year of the Chamber's eristenco, it is not without somo satisfaction your committee are ablo to state from their efforts, all tending to advance the interests of commerce, both locally and generally, results in some instances have boon achieved, which they trust will be viewed as satisfactory, Avhilo as regards other matters that have come under their consideration, though no practical results havo followed as yet from their representations, the groundwork for their practical furtherance ancl accomplishment has been laid. The subjects of interest that haA'c engaged the attention of your committee during the past yoar arc as follows :— The establishment of relations between tho Chamber and the Government, and also with other Chambers of Commerce iv this and our neighboring Colonies.—This was X the first duty undertaken, and the Committee aro glad to be able to report that the Chamber has boon accorded its duo recognition by tho Government as a body representing the commercial interests of Hawke's Bay, that its communications have uniformly met Avith prompt and courteous attention, and that tho Chamber is now regularly furnished, free of charge, Avith tho Government Gazette, Parliamentary Papers, &c, and drafts of all Bill relating to trade aud commerce, to be brought before tho House. Cordial and satisfactory replies of reciprocity from other Chambers of Commerce luia-c also been received, Avhich are gratifying as evincing the interest shared iv the establishment and future success of a similar institution for Napier. The furthor recognition of the Chamber by tho Pross has also been established, and copies of tho leudinsr daily and Aveekly ncAVspapcrs published in the colony are iioav being regularly furnished free of charge. The Time-table arrangements of the Union s.s. Company. --This _ question Avas taken up by your committee for thepurposo df procuring, if possible, tho alteration of %c day of call of the company's steamers at Napier to 'somo other day than Hattu> clay, ou the grounds principally that tho bulk of the goods,'Avhich come from tho .South, have to lie, no matter Avhat their their nature, all the Sunday iv the lighters, and generally cannot ■ be received in town till the Tuesday or AVednesday following. To their last communication ou this subject 1 a reply was received that iv the event of a -\ reconstruction of the time-table, the suggestions of tho Chamber would not fail lobe borno iv mind. Since then, hoAyever, owing to tho use of extensive additions, both of large and small steamers, to the company, this drawback has been to somo BJfty. t * #WinieUed w , regards coastal

imports, but the evil still exists in the caso of intercolonial imports. The re-arrangement of the service so as to moot* the requirements of all the larger ports of call, amongst Avhich Napier ranks, must of course be a matter of somo difficulty, but should such at any time be contemplated, it Avill bo for the committee in .office at the time being to urge upon the directors of the company tho exigencies of Napier to a better participation in such arrangement. The Amendment of the existing Bankruptcy Laws.—The imperative necessity for some reform ou this vexed and all important question has made itself long felt, and the commercial world of this colony cannot but hail with satisfaction the almost certain prospect of some practical legislation on the subject resulting during the ensuing session. The question is beset Avith so many difficulties that tho initiation of any steps toAvards a reform in the law has of necessity been forced to emanate from traders themselves. This could only have found practical effort through the medium of powerful representative bodies, such as Chambers of Commerce, and the much needed work of reform Avas last year energetically undertaken by the various Chambers of the colony. A conference of delegates Avas convened at AVellington, and it is a source of satisfaction to your committee that this Chamber Avas enabled to be represented by one of its members, Mr F. Sutton, M.H.R. As a result of these labours a draft oE a Bill, based on their recommendations, Avas circulated by the Government, at the close of last session, amongst the several Chambers, for the purpose of eliciting any remarks or sugtions their experience might enable them to make. Tho reform contemplated by the now Bill is so sweeping, that its provisions demanded a most careful examination at the hands of your committee. It aims at no less than the entiro swooping a-Avay of tho existing hiAvs, the cardinal feature being to take the control of bankrupts and their estates altogether out of the bauds of creditors, and hand them over to be dealt with by a Government official to bo specially appointed and designated the official assignee —iv other Avords, the institution of the former English system of officialism pure._ By those who have had any experience of bankruptcy business it will be readily understood hoAv responsible, in the face of such a drastic remedy as that proposed, Avas the duty of the committee. They had to consider Avhether they should accept in its entirety the sugge.sti.on_ of the Conference to this effect, aud it Avas not Avithout matured deliberation on the subject that tho conclusion arrived at was, that any new bill should provide for the creditors' trustee or trustees having equal powers Avith the official assignee, in the place of acting merely as supervisors, or more properly speaking, advisers. This main provision being decided on as being, _iv their opinion, essential to a Bill purporting to deal fairly and honestly Avith the various interests involved in the administration of bankrupts' estates, Mr McLean avus asked, and kindly undertook, to draw up a report, embodying tho views of the committee on this point', and the report, which Avas adopted at the last quarterly general meeting, is now in the hands of the Government. AVhcther the proposed Bill Avill bo passed in its present form, or be modified or enlarged in its passage through both Houses, remains yet to be seen, but whatever may bo its fate, it is earnestly to bo hoped that before the coming session closes, some practical and beneficial legislation ou the subject may bo effected. It is interesting to note that in tho Home Bankruptcy Bill, the outline of Avhich has just been published, the provisions regarding official receivers are somewhat similar to those suggested by this Chamber. That official Avill act under the general authority of the Board of Trade; lie will also act as interim receiver of the bankrupt's estate pending the appointment of a trustee, and as manager ay hen no special manager is appointed. His accounts also Avill requiro to bo audited not less than twice in each year by the Board of Trade.

Raihvay Extension : North Island Main Trunk Line.—There seems to be every probability that tho direction aa'hich this line is to take will be decided during the present session. The route suggested by your committee, viv.: from Taupo via Aripa _ A r alley. crossing the upper Mohaka at the junction of the Mohaka through tho Puketitiri Bush, thcucc to Hakuai, Motco, and thence joining tho present trunk line, seemed to them tho most advantageous, as being the best central line from North to South, and offering the greatest facilities for tho junction of feeders from the East and West Coast districts. As members are aware, the surney of this route has only recently been commenced by Mr G. P. Williams, specially deputed by Uie Government for tli« pnriywp, but uo H has been delayed until the worst season of the year, it will be impossible for a complete exploration to be made in time for the submission of the plans and reports to tho House. This negligence ou the part of the Government is greatly to be deprecated, and would seem to point to the conclusion that the direction of the line had been in a measure pre-determincd. One of the routes projected, and which is being strongly advocated in the interests of AVellington, is a line starting from Marton (accessible from AVellington by tho Wcllingtou-Manawatu railway), to be continued through Hunterville and Murimotu Plains, passing Tougiriro and Lake Taupo on the Avcst, and on to Te Awamutu, the southermost point of the Auckland railway. This route, as selected, Avould leave untouched the Province of Hawke's Bay, to the detriment of its best interests and future prosperity. If, however, the route via Napier is to be rejected, there remain other alternative routes, one possessing equal, if not superior, advantages to the proposed line from Marton, and Avhich Avould should secure to ILuvke's Bay somo of the benefits to bo derived from a main central railway. A glance at the map Avill show that Takapau, a station on tho Napier railway, is almost iv the same parallel as Marton, and a line starting from this point would not only be conducive to the further dovclopomont of Hawke's Bay, but it would be a more central one. AVellington is already more than liberally endoAved Avith railways, possessing as it does two lines—ouo in process of construcstruction Avitli Napier, and the other Avith Ta/rauaki, so tkut it would only bo a matter of justico that the line should run through a portion of Hawke's Bay. How deeply the interests of this province are involved in this question may be gathered from tho single fact alone that during the year ended 30th April last, it exported 04,000 sheep to tho Auckland aud AVellington Provinces, the proportion being 04,000 to Auckland, and 30,000 to AVellington. However, the selection of the route rests Avith Parliament, and it will be for this Chamber to adopt such measures as Avill ensure their interests being strictly guarded.

Napier-AVoodvillo Railway.—lt Avill be remembered that last session a sum of ,C 100,000 of the iicav loan was apportioned for the completion of this line. Your committee haviug represented to the Government the expediency of urging on the necessary Avorks, it is satisfactory to note that the construction of the line is being steadily prosecuted, and communication with this rising township may now be looked for a. ith in a reasonable time. Through the courtesy of the Minister for Public AVorks, this Chamber has been furnished Avith a memorandum giving details of the various works under construction between Napier, AA r oodville, and AVellington. Harbor Matters. —Your committee having brought under the notice of the Harbor Board the necessisty of erecting proper receiving sheds at the Spit, two sheds have been constructed on the breastwork adjoining the railway line, each 7)0 feet long_by 15 feet wide, but further accommodation and platt'onns for landiug are still Avanted. Shed Storage Rates.—These rates having been represented as excessive in comparison with those iv force at other ports, the Harbor Board have reduced them in accordance Avith tho recommendations of your committee.

An Improved Harbor for Napier.—Tho export and import trade of this province,_ the natural outlet for Avhich is the port of Napier, has Avithin the last feAV years so enormously increased, ancl is still increasing so rapidly that tho necessity for a harbor Avhich will allow of tho berthing and loading of ocean -going vosscls has forced itself upon public attention and been Avarmly taken up. The matter avus advocated by this Chamber, and prominently urged upon tho attention of the Harbor Board. That body, us will be recollected, took action in the matter, and offered the liberal premium of „ _ 00 for tho best design for a harbor for Napier, expending at the same time XloO on surveys and other necessary data. The plans of the A'arious competitors have uoav been sent, in and forwarded home to the judges. Sir John HaAvkshaAv and Mr James Abern(jtby, and the result of their decision

should shortly be received, the Board at their last meeting having resolved to ask the Government to cable home to the AgentGeneral to communicate the result by cablegram. Representation on the Harbour Board. — Recently, in consequence of the Harbour Board being a member short, the question came under the consideration of your committee as to the desirability of this Chamber being represented on that body by the appointment of one of the members of the committee. On communicating with the Government it was pointed out that this could only be effected by means of an Act of the General Assembly. The attention of Government being directed to the subject, it is not unlikely that our Harbour Act may be amended so as to allow this Chamber to be represented on the Board. Railway Tariff .—Your committee having made strong representations to tho Government last year as to the necessity of reducing the rates of freight on timber and firewood, a reply was received that the matter Avould be taken into consideration. In the recent general revision of the Railway Tariff no reduction Avas conceded, though in consequence of the agitation in the South the grain rates have been reduced. It is also noticed that lately a reduction of 2opcr cent, has been made on white pine timber consigned to AVanganui and Foxtou for shipment direct to Australia, Avhich must act detrimentally on the timber trade of this Province. These arc matters calling for redress, and your committee would commend them to the attention of their successors.

Napier Railway Station.— Ln reply to the representation of your committee urging the necessity for increased accommodation at the Napier station, and the provision of stock-loading platforms at stations Avhere necessary, the Government have stated that these matters are at present under careful consideration.

Native Reserves Bill.—This Avas the most important measure affecting the North Island brought before the House last session. The principle of the bill is to put all native reserves into the hands of the Public Trustee, and so lock up very extensive tracts of country, especially in HaAvke's Bay and Poverty Bay, from settlement. Tho extent of its operations appeared uncertain, and certainly did not appear on tho face of the Bill. Your committee accordingly passed resolutions affirming the principle that it was inexpedient to pass Bill tending- to lock up land in this district, and requiring that a topographical statement of lands to bo affected by the Bill, should be submitted to Parliament before the Bill is further advanced. The Bill has since become law.

Mercantile Charges.—A scale of mercantile charges was drawn up by your committee, and adopted at the quarterly general meeting held on August 31st, 1882. Napier-AVairoa Road.—The necessity for the construction of this road has been fully recognised by your committee, and strong representations Avere made to the G A-ern-ment supporting tho claims of the AVairoa County for a special apportionment of funds for the purpose. The passing of the Roads and Bridges Construction Bill, however, the provisions of Avhich aro fairly liberal, precluded the possibility of this being entertained by the Government, and the only means now left of having the road constructed, is to procure its being gazetted a •'Main Road " under the Act. The necessary application to this end has been made by the Wairoa County Council, and it is to be hoped that ore long the road will be "gazetted," aud its construction entered upon. AVairoa Harbor Board. —As stated in last quarter's report, this body has made application to the Government for an allocation of £12,500 for harbor improvements on condition of a similar sum being raised by the inhabitants, and the Chamber has giA-cu its cordial support to the memorial. Frozen Moat Trade.—There can be now no doubt that this trade has become an assured success, and its deA'elopment cannot fail to add materially to the prospects of both shcepfarmors and farmers, enhancing the value of both live stock and dairy produce. Nature lias been so bountiful to this Province, especially in regard to climate that it should take up a foremost position in the carrying on of this new industry. This Chamber cannot but regard Avith satisfaction the energetic efforts being made by Messrs Nelson Bros, and AVilliams to start freezing operations by December next, and it is to bo hoped, in tho interests of tho Avholo Province, that the enterprise Avill meet Avith the success it so well merits.

Direct Steam Service.—As is noAV knoAvn, no tenders have been received by the AgentGeneral for a direct steam service. Two reasons aro alleged for this: either that the sum voted by the House as a subsidy (£200,000) was"too small, or the conditions attache- .j cue contract A\"ere too stringent. But Avhatever may have been the reason the two companies already trading to New Zealand luiA'e not hesitated to undertake the establishment of a direct steam service irrespective of any Government subsidy.

American AVool Duties.—Though no official intimation, so far as your committee is aware, has been published regarding the reductions recently made in the avool duties by the United States Legislature, late American advices to the southern papers allude to them as folio a.s :—Greasy aa'ools, of less value at port of shipment than Is 3d per lb. Avill be admitted henceforth at a duty of od per lb., and those of higher A'aluc at Od per lb., AAdthout the 30 per cent, ad valorem duty Avhich has theretofore nearly double these rates, and it Avill now be possible to import tho finest grades of New Zealand avool at a profit. This lowering of the avool duty by 18 per cent, will, it is to hoped, lead to the throwing open of an enlarged market for our avool, and help to develope between the United States and the colony a trade Avhich has hitherto been so one-sided.

Postal Union.—The Government have determined not to enter the Postal Union, aud the contract between tho New South AVales and Ncav Zealand Governments and the P.S.N. Company has been renewed on conditions Avliich affect this colony most favorably. One of the stipulations is increased speed, Avhich Avill reduce the time between London, Auckland, and Sydney to 3o and 30 days respectively. Tho amount of contribution of New Zealand is reduced by some XI2OO, thus bringing the net cost of the service down to the small sum of tibout .£4OOO, unci a.s tl.ixlo -svxtlx j_mcx-ica. becomes developed the time must arrive at no distant period Avhen our mails Avill be carried free of any charge on the revenue.

Premises.—ln closing their term of office for the first year of tho Chamber's existence, your committee have to congratulate the members on the possession of rooms so suitably situated. The want of central and commodious offices has in some degree led to a lack of interest at the general meetings in the proceedings connected with the Chamber, but iioav that this draAvbaek has been removed a more active interest has been manifested. The AA'ork that Chambers of Commerce perform is not only important for themselves, but for the country at largo, and the influence a. Inch they exercise through the circulation of information, the discussions aa'lnch take place at their meetings, and the legitimate pressure brought to bear upon members of Parliament in connection Avith commercial questions, is fully recognised. Your committee are glad to state that fifteen new members have been promised for election at this meeting. This substantial accession to its strength is most gratifying, and will add to the Chamber's Avoight and influence in its decisions as a body representing the commercial interests of the Province.

Members. —Your committee deeply regret the loss Avhich the Chamber has sustained in the sudden and untimely death of the late Mr Ramsay Simo. The interest Avhich Mi" Sime took at all times in the business of the Chamber, and the care and attention Avhich he gave to its affairs have ahvays been of the greatest assistance to the Chamber. During the year tAvo members have AvithdraAvn and tAvo have joined.

Committee.—Tho members of the committee retire from office under the rules, but are eligible for re-election.

Statistics.—Appended tp the report Avill b<s found statistical tables relative to the trade of the pdrt of Napier for the tAvelve months ending 30th April, 1883, as avcll as agricultural and other general statistics. I. inds. —Annexed is a statement of receipts and disbursements, aud liabilities aud assets.