CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Evening Star, Issue 4108, 27 April 1876, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon. Present - Messrs E. B. Cargill (in the chair), R. Wilson, K. Ramsay, Capt. Logan, John Eva, E. J. Spence, and J. S, Webb (Secretary). The Chairman explained that the meeting was called to sanction a contribution of a guinea per member to clear off some small outstanding debts of the Chamber. The meeting was called in accordance with a resolution of the committee, who folt that the Chamber should not con tinue with an un liquidated debt. After paying all debts there remained a debit of about LBO, and the committee thought it as well to have it cleared off.

Mr Wilson moved—“ That a contribution of a guinea per member be made in order to liquidate the debt.” Mr Eva suggested that, in consequence of the weather and the small attendance, the consideration of the matter should be adjourned.

This was not considered necessary, and the motion was carried.

The Chairman stated that it had been intended to consider a letter from the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce re the establishment of a Tribunal of Commerce for the settlement of cases, but owing to the small attendance he suggested an adjournment of the same till Tuesday, which was agreed to.

The Chairman read the following letter from the Secretary to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce :—“ThisChamber has had brought under its notice the question of the operation of the Debtors and Creditors Act, 1873.. In Wellington our experience of its working is happily very limited, only three declarations of insolvency having been filed under it, in two of which the proceedings lapsed through non-attendence of creditors at the meeting. I am therefore instructed to communicate with other Chambers with the view of ascertaining how the Act

ia regarded by the mercantile community throughout the Colony, Could you therefore kindly inform me what views are held regarding it in Dunedin, also whether your Chamber considers it advisable to seek any ammendment of the Act, and if so, in what particulars.” The Chairman went on to say that several suggestions were made by the Dunedin Chamber last year, but the Bill was hurriedly passed through the Assembly very much in the shape it was originally introduced; and the suggestions were entirely ignored. The Bill was generally looked upon as very defective more so, indeed, than any which had preceded it.

On Mr Eva’s suggestion, consideration of this matter was also adjourned till Tuesday next.