CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 February 1901, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the Harbor Board offices last night. Present Messrs Muthesoa (chair), Young, Parfitt, Kettle, Griffan Hansen, Lord and Petrie.

Mr. Kettle desired to bring under the notice of Government the condition of the Post Offiee.

Mr. Prtrie proposed that in the opini jn of this Chamber of Commerce the Post and Telegraph Office is quite inadequate to the work of the town. That a new building is urgently required, the present structure being quite unsuitable to the requirements of ihc town, injurious to the persons employed therein, and in a dolapidated and leaky condition and beyond repair. Seconded by Mr. Malheson and carried. The Treasurer submitted the following redort

“In addition to ray report of 20th August last, I wish to add as there were no nominations for offices sent in on the last day, viz : the 15th August, I nominated the President, Vice-Presidents and Committee, whose names appear on the nomination paper attached hereto. “ I regret very much to say that the gentleman nominated as President has gone to his long home.

“ As there are only 25 paying members on the roll, I would suggest that for the present year at least, members meetings be held in lieu of committee meetings, and that they meet on the second Friday in each month.

“It will b) necessary this evening to elect a President. “ The financial position of the Chamber is as follows : Credit Balance at Bank ... £27 14 6 Sundry Assets owing ... 23 14 0 Balance ••• £4 0 6 Report recived and adopted. Eesolved on the motion of Mr Kettle, seconded by Mr Parfitt, that in future monthly meetings of all members beheld on the third Friday m the month, and that the quorum be five. Eesolved on the motion of Mr Kettle, seconded by Mr A oung, that Mr Mathieson be elected President. Mr Mathieson accorded his thanks to the members for the compliment paid him. Eesolved on motion of Mr Petrie, seconded by Mr Mathieson, that Mr Kettle be elected Vice-President. Mr Kettle thanked the members for electing him.

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce sent the following circular “At a conference of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, recently held in Christchurch, icsolutions were unanimously adopted, having for their object the formation of an “ Association of Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand.”

“In these days of Federation and Unionism, it .is felt to be imperative that the mercantile community should place Itself in such a position that its needs and its wishes may be made known with promptitude and effect. “An organisation such as is proposed would obviously be most useful in facilitating united and prompt action in case of need.

“ Measures brought before Parliament or matters in any way affecting the trade and commerce of the country manifestly be dealt with by such an Association with au expedition and effectiveness which would be otherwise impossib e.

“It is, therefore, earnestly hoped that all the Chambers of Commerce of the colony will concur in the establishment of the proposed Association. “It is suggested that the Central Executive should be in Wellington, the seat of the Government and the Legislature, and that each Chamber should contribute a moderate sum towards the necessary expenses in proportion to membership.

“ In case of need every Chamber in the Association would be consulted by post or by wire as the exigencies of the case may demand, and the Executive would act in the name of the Association.

“Proposed memorandum and Articles of Association are in course of preparation and will be forwarded as soon as possible to each Chamber in the colony tor consideration.

“As it is most desirable that no unnecessary delay should take place in the formation of the Association, I send this preliminary notification for the information of your Chamber in the meantime, and”should bo glad to hear from you as early as possible as to the probability of securing the adhesion of your Chamber.”

Unsolved on motion of Mr Kettle that Mr Lord apply for further information. Mr Mathieson brought up the wretched arrangements made by the Railway Department in regard to the traffic between Greymouth and Christchurch, and ho moved that representation be made to the Minister of Railways upon the subject.—Mr Kettle seconded and carried.

Mr Kettle moved and Mr Griffen ssconded that the President and VicePresidents interview Mr Cargill, manager of the Union Company, relative to more expeditious shipment of goods.