CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 242, 19 March 1875, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The usual monthly general meeting of thfi Chamber was held yesterday afternoonPresent—Mr L. E. Nathan (chairman), Sir Cracroft Wilson, and Messrs W, Montgomery, M urray-Aynsley, Dymock, Hassal, Hart, Macpherson, Stead, Revans, Connal, Inglis, Booth, Goss, Robison, and Bird (boa The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Sir Cracroft Wilson, if in order, would suggest that the new Bankruptcy Bill should be brought in not less than three days after the meeting of the Assembly. The chairman trusted it would be brought in at an early stage of the proceedings of the Assembly, as the Bill was most urgently required , Since they last bad met the committee

had nothing of importance to report, but he would be glad if as usual any member would refer to any subject they might think necessary to bring before the Chamber It would be gratifying to members to learn that the suggestion of the Chamber had been given effect to by the Government, and now notices were sent to consignees by the railway department of the arrivals of goods at the slicdSt Mr' Connal said that the consignments notices were issued by the railway, as mentioned, but he also thought that on the railway waybillsthe numbers might be entered, so as to allow them to be an exact counterpart of the carters’ receipts. He felt, if this were done, it would prove a great convenience to the community, and the Chamber might, he thought, ask to have his suggestion carried out. If it were put into practice, consignees would then be able to check the railway receipts, as a discrepancy in one number often gave a great deal of trouble. The Chairman would like that some instance of the inconvenience could be cited before a representation was made to the head of the department. It was a mere question of detail, and he thought that it would lessen the influence of the Chamber if they were to move in every little grievance that might exist. If some tangible inconve’ nience could be adduced he then felt they might move in the matter. Mr Montgomery believed that any member finding the present arrangements inconvenient should submit the matter to the traffic manager. The Chairman said he had had an early interview with the traffic manager after his arrival, and had found him willing to adopt any alterations which it could be shown would be to the general advantage. Mr Stead said they could hardly expect the railway to keep their books, Mr Connal did not want the department to do that, but when a receipt was taken for a specific number he considered the counterpart should also contain that number. He thought this a far more important matter than the sending out notices, which had been considered by the Chamber. He would move a resolution later on.

Mr Macpherson desired to say that a very great deal of convenience would be given to the public if there was a later train than the present one to and from Lyttelton. He had spoken of this to Mr Maude, and that gentleman thought that the Chamber might express an opinion on the subject. If a later train were put on, passengers would not as now be compelled to wait for hours at Lyttelton, awaiting the departure of a uteamer. Letters could also be written later to catch these boats ; and besides the business connection between Christchurch and the port, the 3000 inhabitants now in Lytitelton would be considerably convenienced. As there must be nearly 20,000 inhabitants now in Christchurch and suburbs, he considered that a later train should run from the port than six o’clock. He would like the Chamber to express an opinion on this matter, and would move—“ That this Chamber. in view of the increased population and traffic, and mercantile requirements of Christchurch and Lyttelton, desires to offer an opinion that it would be desirable to run a. train every day two or three hours later than the last ordinary train now running between Christchurch and Lyttelton.” Mr Stead seconded the resolution.

Mr Montgomery said that though some would no doubt receive an advantage if a later train were run, still it would be desir;able to consider whether the cost might not be greater than the advantage received. It would involve very great expense if an additional train were put on, as more men would have to be employed, or the working hours of the railway employees increased, and he felt they already worked long enough. There was no doubt that an additional train would be a convenience, but before they asked for it should well consider the question of cost.

Mr Hassal was of opinion that the Chamber had not sufficient information to go upon, and should be better posted up before passing the resolution. Besides, it being a question of railway management a great deal of expense must be incurred, and before asking that this should done they ought to have something more definite to go upon. Though a later train would no doubt prove a great convenience, it might interfere with the work of the tunnel. Mr Eobison believed this to be merely a question of railway management. They had not sufficient information before them to suggest such a course. If the resolution were put in the form of a question to the Government he would like it better. [Hear, hear.] There could be no harm in the Chamber making any suggestions, which were for the public convenience, but as a great deal of additional expense would be involved without paying returns, he would like to see the resolution worded less peremptorily than at present. Mr Macpherson, with the permission of the Chamber, would amend his resolution to read as follows: —“That this Chamber, in view of the increased population and traffic, and the mercantile requirements of Christchurch and Lyttelton, request the chairman and mover to wait upon the Secretary of Public Works, to ask if it would be suitable to run a train every day, two or three hours later than the last ordinary train now running between Christchurch and Lyttelton.”

Mr Murray-Aynsley would merely mention that considerable data would have to be got up before the deputation waited upon the Secretary for Public Works. At present a special train could be had for £5, and it was found that even this money did not pay. If the request of the Chamber were granted, it would entail a very great additional expense, in all the classes of hands employed on the railway, and it would be necessary for the mover to go prepared with data, to show that the returns might be expected to cover the increased expenditure. He had heard that the hotelkeepers at Lyttelton were crying out against the special trains, as causing an expense to them which resulted in a loss. The chairman did not think that the interest of a few hotelkeepers should be allowed to weigh in comparison with the convenience of the general public. He was of the opinion that if the concession were granted it would shortly be found to be a source of revenue to the Government.

The resolution, as amended, was put and carried.

In reply to Mr Booth, Mr Murray-Aynsley said that a deputation had waited upon the Government with reference to the formation of a graving dock at Lyttelton, and this subject was still under their consideration. Mr Booth felt that this was a most important matter, and if carried into effect would prove a very great advantage to the province.

A resolution was ultimately carried that the chairman wait upon the Government, and see what has been done in this direction. The Chairman desired to tell the meeting that he had just been informed that there were two steam barges of 35-horse power each, which would leave England in April next for Lyttelton via the Suez Canal, to be employed for towage purposes. Mr Connal moved—“ That the chairman communicate with the traffic manager, and represent that this Chamber is of opinion that the waybills to consignees should be a copy of the receipts taken by the railway department from the carriers. Mr Robison seconded the resolution, and felt it would be an advantage if greater care were taken in the numbers of packages. To his own knowledge through laxity in this respect he had been unable to trace the whereabouts of several bales of wool.

Mr Montgomery—Can you give an instance ?

Mr Robison could. A truck load of wool on one occasion was sent into a store in Lyttelton to be dumped, and as the numbers were not taken great difficulty had been experienced in tracing the bales. Mr Inglis gave an instance where the value of a certain cask of seeds could not be claimed for, through two of the consignment ordered up country being allowed to go without their numbers being taken. Mr Montgomery thought that all questions of detail which might involve a conference with the railway authorities should be left to the committee. Both for the efficacy of the suggestions, and the dignity of the Chamber, he felt that it would be better to leave this matter to them.

Mr Hassal agreed with the remarks of Mr Montgomery. He thought it would no doubt be a great convenience if the railway authorities gave an exact copy of the receipt given by the carters to them. He was credibly informed that the present practice now in force here was the same as that in use at the M. and 11.8. U. Railway, where they had had many years of experience. After some further discussion, it was decided to leave the resolution in the hands of the committee. The Chamber then adjourned.