Chamber of Commerce.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 34, 9 February 1901, Page 3

Chamber of Commerce.

QUARTERLY MEETING,

The Chamber of Commerce held their quarterly meeting last evening, when the following members were present: Messrs W. Morgan (in the chair), D. Orr, W. Webb, J. Townley, A. F. Matthews, C. H. Ambridge, Rosie, Pettie, Lunn, and Robinson.

As an outcome of the recent Conference of Chambers of Commerce, the secretary of the Wellington Chamber wrote asking the Gisborne Chamber to support a scheme for an Association of Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand. The writer pointed out tho advantages of united action in securing reforms, and stated that it was proposed that tho central Executive should be in Wellington. The proposed memorandum and articles of association were in course of preparation, and would be forwarded as soon as possible to each Chamber in the colony. Members generally sympathised with the movement, but decided to take no definite action until the articles of association came to hand.

On tho motion of Mr Whinray, it was

decided to write to the Secretary of tho Motu Settlers’ Association, asking for a copy of the report shortly to be furnished by Mr Prouse on the timber resources of the Motu, so that the Chamber might cooperate with the settlers in any action they might take in the matter. Mr Whinray spoke strongly on the manner in which the district had in tho past been neglected. He considered that it was rank sacrilege that they should sit quiescent, and not rescue this valuable asset, which was year by year being destroyed. The question of tho rate of progress of tho railway to the Karakawas brought up, and it was suggested that Mr Carroll should be reminded of his promise to push tho lino on with the utmost speed. Mr Matthews pointed out that one reason of the delay was that Mr Stewart, the local engineer, had been laid up. Mr Carroll had promised that in the event of an engineer not being available in Wellington that Mr Stewart would be put on to the survey at the Karaka end, but the illness of the latter had prevented much being done in this direction during the past two months. It was agreed that Mr Carroll should be written to and reminded of his promise.

The slow rate of progress at present being made with the stock track was also touched upon by Mr Whinray, who pointed out that there were only four men on tho work at the present time, and they had only been on since Christmas. He was sanguine that as soon as the track was through to Rotorua a different complexion would be put on settlement throughout the district. It was decided that the Minister of Lands should be written to upon the question. Mr Whinray suggested that the Government should be asked to have a weekly mail service to Wharekopae, but the Chamber decided to defer action until it was known how many settlers would be benefited.