CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 294, 21 May 1875, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The usual monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday, at 3 p.m. Present—Messrs L. E. Nathan (chairman). Blakiston, Booth, Lane, Duncan, Craig, Connal, Murray-Aynsley, J. A, Bird, Davis, Gould, Goss, Macpherson, Dymock, Sawtell, Montgomery, Saunders, Coates, and Robison. Messrs A. Saunders, J. C. Morris, and F. M. Rickman were elected members of the Chamber. The Chairman referred to what had taken place at the last meeting with reference to the running of a late train to Port. Owing, however, to a change of Ministry shortly after the interview with the Government, the Chamber had not been furnished with a reply. He had, therefore, instructed the secretary to write to the present Government on the subject, and had received a reply to the effect the Government would take the matter of running a late train into consideration. Mr Dymock moved, that, rule 20 be altered so as to read, that there be four quarterly meetings in the year, viz, in August, November, February, and May. He moved this resolution because it had been found inconvenient to have a general meeting every month. Mr Murray-Aynsley seconded the proposition, He pointed out that members did not care to attend the monthly meetings when they knew that there was frequently no business to be done. Should anything, however, crop up between the quarterly meetings, a special meeting could be called to consider it. Mr Sawtell said he would oppose the alteration, as he thought members should have an opportunity of bringing any matter before the Chamber without going to the trouble of having a special meeting called. The resolution was put to the meeting and agreed to. The chairman brought under the notice of the Chamber the question of that body taking steps to assist in having the province represented at the Philadelphia Exhibition. He would read a letter from his Honor the Superintendent, asking the Chamber to assist in the matter. He had invited his Honor to attend the meeting that afternoon, and that gentleman had promised to do so, if another engagement did not prevent him. His Honor he might say had that day forwarded the fo'lowing telegram to the Colonial Government:—" Philadelphia Exhibition —Subject will come before Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, I think this body will render material assistance. Please inform me up to what time exhibits will be received. Will exhibits be absolutely restricted to raw products, or will you leave it open question for discretion. Committee will probably be appointed. ’ [The following reply was received by his Honor after the meeting had terminated: —“Will let you know the latest date for Philadelphia Exhibition exhibits as soon as settled. You will see by circular that Government wishes to discourage miscellaneous exhibits. Exceptions may be made on special recommendation of committee, but as rule New Zealand exhibits are to be of raw products.— Chas. C. Bowen.”] He might add that his Honor’s views on the subject were that a committee should be appointed to make arrangements for having the province properly represented at the Exhibition. The Colonial Government would be prepared to place a sum on the estimates to defray the expenses necessary to having the various portions of the colony properly represented on the occasion in question. The secretary read the circular of the Colonial Secretary, dated Wellington, April 15th (a copy of which was published in this journal of May 11th); also a circular letter from the Colonial Secretary, dated Wellington, January sth, enclosing a copy of a letter received from Sir Redmond Barry, the chairman of a Royal Commission issued by the Governor of Victoria, to ascertain whether united action should be taken by all the Australasian colonies to secure their proper representation at the Philadelphia Exhibition of 1876. The Victorian Commissioners proposed that a preliminary intercolonial exhibition should be held at Melbourne, at which a judicious selection might be made of objects most suitable for ultimate exhibition at Philadelphia. The enclosure stated at length the views of the Y ictorian Commission on the subject. The Chairman said the Chamber would see from the correspondence that the Colonial Government had resolved to act independently, and not comply with Sir Redmond Barry’s request to have the New Zealand exhibits sent to Melbourne previously. It was unnecessary for him to dilate on the importance of having the province properly represented on the occasion, and he hoped the subject would receive that consideration from the Chamber which its importance deserved. MrJ. D. Macpherson moved—“ That the whole matter be referred to the committee of the Chamber to deal with.” Mr Montgomery seconded the motion, as he thought the committee were very well able to take the matter in hand, and expressing a desire that they would co operate with his Honour and the Provincial Government. Mr Sawtell suggested that Messrs Montgomery, Cunningham, and Jenkins might be asked to co-operate. Mr L. Coates explained what was being done in America to make the exhibition a success, and that there was every prospect of its being so. He might mention that a model railway would be laid from New York to Philadelphia, combining all the latest improvements. The motion was agreed to. Mr Macpherson said he had been requested by a friend to bring under the notice of the Chamber a case of storage charge made by the railway for some goods, although every effort had been made by his friend to remove them as soon after they reached the station

as possible. He had advised his friend to refer the matter to the traffic manager The chairman thought Mr Macpherson had given his friend proper advice. If his representations failed he might then bring it before the Chamber. Mr Duncan drew attention to the fact that the present Government did not, it appeared, intend to proceed with the public buildings during the present year. The Chairman said the question had not been lost sight of. He had addressed a letter to the Government on the subject, calling their attention to the matter, but as it was only sent on the 18th a reply had not yet been received. The meeting then separated.