CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 61, 13 March 1901, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The ordinary meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held last evening, when the following members were present: — Messrs Morgan (in the chair), Townley, Lunn, Wliinray, Matthews, Hennessy, and Rosie. HANGAROA-TINIROTO ROAD.

Mr D. Whyte, of Tiniroto, wrote as follows with regard to the Hangaroa-Tiniroto Road:—“l have to-day gone over the above-named road, in so far as it has been made from this end, and the following details may assist you in understanding the nature of the road and work done, also what has yet to he done to complete it. The road leaves the present Wairoa road at Mr W. E. Harris’ corner. It goes duo north for a quarter of a mile, then turns westwards. From here to Mr

Burgess’ (where the Tiniroto road leaves or branches from the Waikaremoana road) is about six miles. From there to the end

of where it is at present made is about two miles, and drays and waggons have been down to Mr Peddle’s this

summer, which is within a mile of whero the road is completed to at present. There are about two and a-half miles of the road

yet to make to join it with the road at Mr Richardson’s house, where it would join the road leading to Tiniroto. If this was completed the only hills of any note would bo the Gentle Annie, a very slight rise on the Waikarejnoana road approaching Mr Watts’, and another on the present road from Mr Richardson’s to Tiniroto. The road along the side of the Hangaroa river is practically level, and would be a beautiful drive through good

land and splendid scenery, and Mr St. Ledger’s house would be about the same distance from Gisborne as Mr Lysnar’s, of Parakanapa, minus the high hills to be continually going up and down. I hero note that the portion of road from Mr Harris’ corner aforesaid, to Mr Burgess’ connects with the upper Hangaroa road that leads to the Hangaroa village and Waikare-Moana. The upper Hangaroa

road is made to Mr Tombleson’s, but I understand it is surveyed as far as Mr Steele’s run, thonco to the Tahora Block. This will give you an idea of tho importance of this road being completed, and of tho portion from Mr Harris’ corner to Mr Burgess’ metalled. If this was done it would bring Tiniroto seven miles nearer Gisborne, and cause an increase of population in the whole district. Permit me also to stato that the surveyors have not yet resumed work on the unfinished portion of tho Napier-Gisborne railway survey from Mr St. Ledger’s run to Gisborne. I do not think this matter should be allowed to rest one day longer.—l am, etc., D. Whvte, Tiniroto. Mr Townley thought they should urge

the completion of the link of tho road referred to. It was a most desirable work.

Messrs Matthews and Whinray spoke in similar strain.

It was decided to refer the matter to the Minister of Lands when he visited the

TIMBER IN THE MOTU,

A copy of Mr J. Prouso’s report regarding the timber resources of tho Motu was rend by the President. Mr Whinray complimented tho Motu settlors upon the enterprise they had shown in obtaining tho report. It was a most important matter, and did away with a great deal of the scepticism that had existed regarding the timber in the district mentioned. There was no doubt

that it would in time bo one of the most valuablo assets in tho district. Although tho report was a very favorable one, it by no means dealt with the subject in a comprehensive form. Mr Prouso had simply

taken his views and based his calculations upon tho little country he had travelled through. Thoro could bo no doubt that tho residents of tho district and members of public bodies did not sufficiently recognise the importance of the matter, and the Chamber of Commerce should frame a strong resolution on the subject. It would be a great incentive to tho Government to push on the railway. The timber of tho Motu would furnish freights for a railway for the next ten years. There wore vast areas beyond the Motu which had not yet boon explored. He hoped to seo tho mattor placed beforo the Ministers upon the occasion of their visit to the district, and he would like to seo tho Ministers visit tho Motu, If the weathor was favorable tho trip would be a very enjoyable one. Mr A. F. Matthews thought they were all agreed that there was plenty of timber in tho Motu. He referred in praiseworthy terms to tho services rendered to the Railway League by Messrs Rees and Crawford, who furnished an exhaustive report some years ago regarding the timber resources of the Motu. It was certainly one of the chief points to place before Ministers. Tho quality of the timber was far superior to that of Hawko’s Bay. THE WANTS OF THE DISTRICT. A general discussion followed ns to what wore the most pressing requirements of the district to bo brought before Ministers upon tho occasion of their visit next month. The President suggested that the other local bodies should be approached and invited to fall into line with the Chamber, so that one large deputation might wait upon Ministers. Mr Townley thought that was the proper course. Tho most urgent want at the present time was to get the interior of tho district opened, and in order to do that they should bring under tho notice of tho Ministers the necessity of the railway being pushed on. The Motu district should be opened, but if the matter was to remain in abeyance until the railway was completed, it meant some years to wait.

On the motion of Mr W. J. Hennessey,

t was decided to appoint a sub-committee ;o draw up a list of the requirements of

the district and represent the same to Ministers. The President and Messrs Whinray and Matthews were appointed a committee, and it was doeided to submit the list to all local bodies and to ask them to appoint representatives, so that one large deputation might be formed. The Ngatapa stock track, and Mr Whyte’s letter with regard to the Han-garoa-Tiniroto road wore included in the list.

A GEOLOGIST REQUIRED. Mr Whinray said that Mr Carroll had promised to send them a geologist to report on the district, as to whether it was likely to he coal-bearing or not. It was an important matter, as it was believed by many that there were coal deposits in the district. The district was a most important ono, but somehow or other it had been loft out of reckoning for a long time, but no doubt now that there were important developments taking place they would receive more attention. Mr Whinray also thought that a report should be obtained with regard to the oil deposits and natural gas. Mr Matthews said it was advisable for the Committee to go to the Survey Office and find out the position of the various roads, so that they would be up-to-date in placing all such matters before Minsters. He was willing to get this information for the Chamber.

The offer was accepted, and it was also lecidcd to obtain a nyip of the district for the use of the Chamber.

Mr Townley said that recently two lumps of coal had bean brought in from a tributory of the Waikohu river, and the person who brought them was confident that much good might be done by prospecting. The suggestion that an expert should visit the district was a proper one.

TELEPHONE EXTENSION*. One important matter referred to by Mr Whinray was the extension of the telephone lino to Motu and Timroto. He pointed out that the expense would be trifling, and the advantages considerable. He thought the matter should he brought under the notice of the’ Postmastcr■General. Mr Townley strongly supported Mr Whinray in this matter, and considered that it would be a reasonable request to make. Mr Morgan quoted a portion of a letter he had received from Mr Whyte, of Tiniroto, upon this subject. It was as follows :—“lf the telephone and the road referred to in the letter could be completed to Tiniroto a vast area of country would be opened up by telephone, and eventually by road and settled. This means increased income to local bodies, trade, and government, and-woiUd greatly advance {ho social and,' moral standing of

the whole district. The telephone should be taken out of the arena of departmentalism and made a national affair, and the only way to do that was for the local bodies to take the matter up and make it a platform.”