CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Globe, Volume I, Issue 88, 11 September 1874, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The usual monthly meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. Present —Messrs L. E. Nathan (chairman), W. Dymock, W. H. Lane, H. H. Hennah, H. P. MurrayAynsley, T. M. Hassel, and J. A. Bird (Iron sec). The minutes of the previous committee meeting were read and confirmed, after which several accounts were passed for payment.

On the motion of Mr Hassal. seconded by Mr Lane, it was resolved —“ That Lloyd's Register be added to the list of papers in the Chamber.” The Chairman mentioned that the Chamber had a credit balance in the Bank of £333 Is 7d. Since they had last met an amendment to the new Licensing Act had been brought into operation. The clause to which the Chamber had taken exception had been removed, and wholesale licenses could now be obtained on application to the Provincial Treasurer, They would no doubt agree with him that this was very satisfactory. An alteration had also been made in the railway tariff, a copy of which alterations might be seen in the Chamber; and public convenience had also been studied in permitting passenger tickets to be obtained in town. There was, however, one matter in connection with the railways, which he thought might be remedied. In rendering monthly accounts, very little information was given to consignees, as the accounts only stated so many packages, making so many tons, without any reference to marks or description, thus preventing the measurements in the accounts being checked, and no opportunity was given of correcting any inaccuracies until the accounts for the whole shipment had been rendered. He merely mentioned this matter as a suggestion for the committee to act upon if they deemed it necessary. His attention had been called by a member to a custom that prevailed in this province different to that which obtained in the others, in the levying of Customs duties on bottled beer. This gentleman had told him that 5 per cent, discount was everywhere allowed in the Colony but here. He (the Chairman) had an interview with the collector on this subject, and he informed him that this must be a misunderstanding on the part of those who paid duties, as 5 per cent was allowed to all who passed entries on bottled beer for the whole shipment, and it was only those importers who took delivery of a portion of a shipment, and threw the re-packing of the balance on the Customs, to whom this allowance was not made. He (the Chairman) did not think that this was generally known among members. There was one other subject of importance to the province to which he desired to allude—a question relating to an item that reached large proportions here —and that was the export of grain from the colony. Purchasers of grain for export were in the habit of buying it in whatever condition they could get hold of it, shipping it as purchased. Such a practice he considered was likely to prejudice the name of the colony. If a system were instituted of having grain inspected before being shipped, and if a mark of clean or whatever condition they were in, were placed on the shipments, it would he thought have a good effect with the home country, so far as the name of the colony was concerned. Such a practice obtained with butter exported from Ireland, and might be adopted in this colony with advantage. No doubt they had read that New Zealand grain had fallen in value at home, which he thought was in a measure to be attributed to its having left the colony in bad condition ; and though in every instance such a result might not be obviated—even if inspected before leaving—the probabilities would be greater that if it left the colony sound it would arrive home in a similar condition. He felt that this matter was worthy of the consideration of the committee. The committee then adjourned.

The general monthly meeting of the Chamber was then held. Present—Messrs L. E. Nathan (chairman), Dymock, Lane, Hennah, Murray-Aynsley, Hassel, Gould, Jamieson, Anderson, D. Davis, Inglio, Stead, D. Connal, and J. A. Bird (hem sec). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The chairman said that since they last met, the proceedings of the Chamber for the last term had been printed and distributed among the members. The funds of the Chamber were in a very prosperous state, and it would be for the Chamber to say whether a portion of the money should be invested. Mr Nathan then reiterated what he had said at the committee meeting. Mr Lane said that the funds in hand might easily be invested in the Loan Societies, some of which would give five or six per cent on call. That course, he thought, would be better than permanently investing it.

Mr Jamieson considered that some of the money might be usefully employed, in erecting a flagstaff, to run up the colors of a ship when she arrived, so that the public might know the name of the vessel. The result would be more useful, both to the Chamber and the general public, than investing their money at a small rate of interest. He would move—“ That the committee be authorised to erect a flag-post, and to procure a supply of signals for the purpose of publishing the arrival of vessels in ihe Port, a central and convenient site being secured, and an attendant to work the signals,”

The motion found no seconder, and fell through. Mr Hassell quite agreed with the suggestion that had fallen from the chairman, and considered it would be judicious to invest a portion of the money. lie would move “ That the committee be authorised to invest such portion of the Chamber’s funds as they may think fit, either through the loan societies, bank, or in any other way that may appear to them advisable.” They might require their funds to build a chamber at some future day; and he believed that it would be a better course to adopt than by laying them out as proposed by Mr Jameson. Mr Lane seconded the motion.

Mr Murray-Aynsley had no objection to the motion as it stood, but would not approve of the money being locked up, as from time to time it might be found of use to the Chamber.

The resolution was put and carried. Mr Murray-Aynsley moved—“ That the chairman be requested to see the Chief-Post-master, and see if more time might not be obtained by the public for posting letters by the mail, and, if necessary, communicate with the Government.” He moved this resolution, as on a late occasion the mails closed on Saturday evening at 5 o’clock, though the steamer was not leaving until Sunday afternoon, and only three or four hours had been given to reply to English letters. Very great inconvenience had resulted to the public, and his messenger had been distinctly told at the post-office that no letter would be received after 5 o’clock. Mr Hennah remarked that after he represented to the Chief-Postmaster that the steamer would not sail until Sunday, he gave instructions to receive letters until twelve o’clock that day, and this had been done. The resolution was seconded by Mr Inglis, and agreed to. Mr Davis said before the Chamber adjourned, he desired to thank the chairman for the information he had given them respecting the discount obtainable on shipments of bottled beer.

Mr Connal also felt obliged to the chairman for the information. As he was no doubt the member referred to by that gentleman, he might say that in one instance he was allowed no discount, and in another 2J per cent. The collector would, no doubt, be able to explain to him how this arose.

The Chairman referred to the inconvenience that existed of the committee meeting being held on the same day as the general meeting. While speaking, he had, however, been informed that the remedy was in the committee’s own hands. The Chamber then adjourned.