CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 968, 14 August 1903, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the above was held

last evening, there being presont : Tbo President (Mr Whinray), and Messrs W.

Pottie, J. Bodstoue, W. B. Common, J. A,

Harding, W. Morgan, F. Harris.

Messrs G. Evans and W. Mackrell were proposed as members. The President urged that a committee should be set up to interview the business

people of the piace, and induce them to come along in order to make the Chamber more efficient.

Mr Harris asked how many members there were.

The Seerotary replied that thoro wero forty.

Mr Harding said that if moro onergy was not put into the Chamber it would virtually pass out of existence. The President remarked that tho Farmers’ Union had taken up a number of the duties of tbo Chamber. There wero too many other meetings. Tho Chamber of Comwerco throughout the colony was a live body, and he thought it should ho supported in this district. Mr Harris said that it showed very poor

faith on the part of tho peoplo of- Gisborne not to support the Chamber. It was much tho same at other, mootings ; there was a considerable amount of troublo in raising a quorum. The election of officers was then proceeded with. On tho motion of tho Chairman, seconded by Mr Harding, Mr W. B. Common was elected President, and on tho proposition of Mr Bedstone, seconded by Mr Morgan, Mr Pettio was elected VicePresident.

The following members of committee wero elected ; Messrs Whinray, Morgan, Kennedy, and Tcwnley, Auditor, Mr O’Meara.

The election of secretary was deforrod, as Mr W. S. Lunn declined to hold oflico for the onsuing year. It was also rocommonded that tho secretary should receive somo remuneration for his duties.

Mr Whinray, in his retiring speech, referred to tho fact that the last annual meeting of the Chamber had not been hold till threo months after tho proper time, and he wished to apologise for not mending mattors. During tho past few years the Borough loan proposals had engaged a certain amount of timo, and tho Farmers’ Union had monopolised a lot of business which the Chambor had previously dealt with. The Bailway League had also takon another burdou off their shoulders. Tho speaker went on to refer to tho deputation at present visiting Wellington, and thought that they could strengthen the hands of the deputation by a wire being sent from the Chamber to urge upon tho speedy construction of tho railway to the Motu. There was also tho matter of generating electricity from tho waterfalls in this district which should bo urged upon tho Government. In Switzerland and Italy the matter was a great success, aDd they were pooror countries than New Zealand. Ho considered that the Financial Statement delivered by Mr Seddon was extremely gratifying, and tho Chamber should communicate with tho Premier and commend the action of tho ’ Government in tho conservation of Now Zealand forests, which was benefioial both from a commercial and climatic point of view. The rotirine President, in vacating tho chair, wished the Chambor every success.

Mr Common, in taking tho chair, thanked tho mombers for electing him to tho position, and stated that he had been, connected with Gisborne for 26 years. Daring that timo it hid prospered, and thoro was every propect of it continuing to do so. Ho urged that more interest should be taken in tho Chamber of Commerce, and stated that throughout tho colony the work of Chambers of Commerce was valued by tho public at largo, and blbo by tho Government. Ho would do all in his power to obtain as good results as possible during tho ensuing year. (Applause). Mr W. Pottie, referring to Mr Common’p election as President for the onsuing said ho was suro that it would moan new life beiDg infused into the Chambor. As VicePresidont ho would bo pleased to do all in his power to assist Mr Common to further the interest of the Chamber. Mr Morgan: Perhaps Mr Whinray can toll us what tho deputation to Wellington are going to advocate. Is it a railway or a tramway ? Mr Whinray said the deputation had a number of matters to deal with. Thoro was the Waipaoa metal and tho prosecution of tho railway to Motu, which he thought they had excellent grounds for urging from the standpoint of the Premier as regards tho forests of tho colony. They could rest assurod that His Worship the Mayor would have his hands full. Ho thought it would help tho deputation to pass a resolution at that meeting. He went on to refer to the card compiled by Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. as re-‘-gards the amount of wool and frozen meat exportod from this district, and considered a copy should be sent to the Premier. The card spoke for itself. Ho moved tho following resolution, which was seconded by Mr Pottio and unanimously carried:— “ That this Chamber desires to record its appreciation of the Premier in his able Financial Statement, and more especially in the recognition of the necessity of preserving our forost and scenic reserves, these being one of our principle assets as attraction to tourists and visitors, a resolution to this effect be sent to the Premier. Also for tho information of the Premier and Ministers Messrs Common, Shelton and Co.’s interesting and concise statement of the exports of the district in wool, beef, mutton, stock, etc., be enclosed so

that the importance of tho district may be the more easily seen. Wo also note with pleasuro the desire of the Government to assist in developing the fruit-preserving,

canning and export, for which this district is admirably suited, and only requires to bo initiated to succeed and be a benefit to all engaged in fruit-growing.” Mr Harris referred to the question asked by Mr Morgan re the railway, and said that tho delegate of the Railway League went to support a railway. Mr Pettie understood that the deputa- / tion went with the grekt object of urging the speedy construction of the railway to the Motu. There woro other minor matters to be carried out. He moved the following resolution, which was seconded hy Mr Whinray, and carired: —“That this Chamber desires to express its entire sympathy with the object of the deputation now in Wellington from this district, viz., the immediate and energetic pushing on of tho railway to tho Motu, and that a copy of the resolution be sent to the deputation and to tho Premier.”

Mr Whioray gave notice of motion that the subscriptions for the ensuing year be 10s instead of 53. It was resolved that the dates of meetings be left with the 'committee to arrange.

Mr Redstone asked if further information had been received re the close settleof the To Arai Estate.

The Secretary replied that he had been unable to ascertain anything, aB it was desired to keep the - matter quiet for the present.

Mr Whmray urged that they should communicate with the deputation in Wellington, and it was agreed that this should be done.