CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 371, 20 August 1875, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The annual general meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday at the rooms, at 3 p.m. Mr L. B. Nathan, president of the Chamber, occupied the chair. Messrs W. W. Cobb, J. Anderson, junr, W. H. Packer, F, P. M‘Crae, and E. Fowler, were elected members of the Chamber. The chairman said the next business was to lay before the meeting the annual report. When he told them that during the year there had been sixteen committee and ten general meetings, they would see that the Chamber had not been idle, and he believed their efforts had been attended with good results to the mercantile community. He might say that the Chamber was now numerically and financially in a better position than at any time during the existence of it. He desired to congratulate the Chamber on the likelihood of the Government introducing a Bankruptcy Bill, the want of which had long been felt by the mercantile community. The Chamber during the year had urged upon the General Government the necessity of proceeding with the erection of public buildings in Christchurch, the want of which had been greatly felt. During the year the Chamber had secured from the railway department the concessior of the issuing of bills of lading to consignees. In respect to harbor works, steps had been taken by the Provincial Government to supply the deficiencies which were so apparent in Lyttelton, As regarded shipping telegrams, the committee had to report that they had been unable to make satisfactory arrangements for their supply within the sum which they considered the Chamber could afford to pay for the information desired. Under the alteration of rule 20, the monthly general meetings had been altered to quarterly meetings, and he hoped the change would result in an increased attention on the part of the members to the business coming before the Chamber. He would now ask the secretary (Mr Bird) to read the annual report. Mr J. A. Bird then read the following report “Your committee have the pleasure to lay before the Chamber the sixteenth annual report. “ They desire to congratulate the members on the fact that business generally in the province throughout the year has been sound, and no failures of importance recorded. “ Wool has maintained its value, and although grain has been low in price, the abundant harvest will, however, compensate in a great measure for reduced values. Recent telegraphic communication from England places us in possession of information 6f a considerable rise in value of this product, which will have a very beneficial effect on the pi evince. “ The immigration statistics appended disclose the fact that 7298 souls, equal to 6037 J statute adults, have been introduced into the province under the Government immigration scheme during the year ending 30th June last, and it is gratifying to recoid the fact that, notwithstanding the large influx of population, ample employment has been afforded the working classes by the rapid settlement of the country, which has redounded to the advantage of the province generally. “ Your committee congratulate the Chamber on its present position, which is financially and numerically more flourishing than it has been since its formation, having, aa the accounts will show, a balance of £47 18s to its credit, in addition to £2OO invested at interest. During the past year twelve new members have been added to the Chamber, and two original members have rejoined, making the total number eighty-six. “ The principal subjects which have occupied the attention of the committee during; the past year are the following : INTERCOLONIAL AND ENGLISH MAILS. “ Inconvenience having been experienced owing to the practice of sea-going mails frequently closing in Christchurch earlier than necessary, the Postmaster was interviewed on the übject, and promised to give effect to the wishes of the Chamber by at all times keeping the mails open to as late a period aa possible. “ The committee were also successful in procuring the assent of the Posmaster-Gene-ral for the sorting of English mails into the private boxes on the occasion of their arrival in Christchurch on a Sunday. The value of this concession is obvious from the fact that three out of the last seven mails via Suez have arrived in Christchurch on that day. TELEGRAMS. “In accordance with a recommendation frqm the Chamber, in October last, efforts ■yvere made during the year to have the Chamber furnished with this necessary and useful information, but your committee regret to report that they were unsuccessful in their endeavors, having been obliged to withdraw from an engagement entered into for the purpose, owing to the insufficiency of the information supplied, and to the present time have been unable to make any satisfactory arrangements within the amount your committee feel justified in recommending to the Chamber. BANKRUPTCY LAWS. “ This matter has again had the careful attention of your committee, and upon the appointment of the Hon C. C. Bowen, as Minister of Justice, they requested and obtained an interview with that gentleman upon the subject, who agreed with them as to the necessity for a considerable amendment in the existing law, and promised to give the question his fullest consideration. “ Your committee have now the satisfaction of informing the Chamber that an amended Bill has been prepared, together with a Fraudulent Debtors’ Act, which has their entire approval, and which they hope to see become law during the present session, WAY BILLS. “Your committee having had brought under their notice the inconvenience arising from the want of information of the arrival of goods at the railway station, waited on the traffic manager, pointing out the importance of furnishing such information, and are happy to report, as the result, that way bills, specifying marks and numbers of goods on arrival, are now supplied to eignees.

“An amended railway tolls and wharfage bill, authorising increased charges than those hitherto prevailing, was passed at the last session of the Provincial Council, and will require careful watching by the incoming committee, to see that no additional burdens are imposed under it, detrimental to the interests of the trading community. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. “ The urgent necessity for better accommodation in the public offices for transacting the General Government business, has received the fullest consideration of your committee, and noticing that the Provincial Government consented to the withdrawal of the amount placed on the estimates as a grant in aid for the erection of those offices, waited upon the Executive, urging upon them the great want that existed in that respect, requesting them to place on the supplementary estimates the amount voted at a previous session, with a view to the speedy erection of suitable buildings, but regret to report that they were unsuccessful in their application. Deeming, however, the matter far too important for them to accept as final the decision of the Provincial Executive, they remitted the whole question to the General Government, in the hope that the necessities of the case would be more fully recognised by them, and in order to give effect to the views of the Chamber, memorialised them upon the subject. The committee have the satisfaction of reporting the receipt of a reply from the Hon the Minister for Public Works, that the General Government had applied to the Provincial authorities for the site on the western side of Cathedral square, and immediately on its being obtained, steps would be taken in reference to the erection of public buildings so pressingly required. PHILADELPHIA EXHIBITION. “A communication from his Honor the Superintendent was received, requesting the co-operation of the Chamber in promoting the representation of the province at the forthcoming exhibition in Philadelphia, and the committee recommended eight gentlemen, members of the Chamber, for appointment by his Honor, to act on a general committee for that object. AVERAGE BONDS. “ A communication having been received from Lloyd’s agent at this port, seeking the assistance of the Chamber in obtaining a general adoption of the form of average bond prepared at the instance of Lloyd’s committee in London, your committee, after discussion, resolved to recommend its general adoption. HARBOUR WORKS, “ The attention of the Chamber was directed to the want of a steam-tug and graving dock for the Port of Lyttelton, and the Government were waited upon to ascertain what steps, if any, had been taken to provide those necessary requirements, and were informed that two steam barges, of thirty-five horse-power each, had been ordered, and were expected to leave England in April last, and that with reference to graving dock accommodation, the Government had been in correspondence with Sir J. Coode upon the subject, and had entered into arrangements with him to prepare plans and estimate of cost, and report thereon. The plans for this very desirable work are now due, and it is hoped that without much further delay this important work may be proceeded with. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION. “ The extension of the advantages of telegraphic communication throughout the colony must be regarded as of considerable importance to the mercantile interests, and, from information published, it is gratifying to learn that this colony will soon be placed in direct communication with Europe and other commercial centres, a contract having been entered into for the laying of a sub marine cable between the coast of Hew Zealand and New South Wales. SAn FRANCISCO MAIL SERVICE, “ The irregularity of the service by this route has militated very much against its usefulness, and prejudiced it in the minds of the general public. This just cause of complaint, however, it is hoped will be removed by the working of the new contract which has been entered into on behalf of the colony in conjunction with the Governments of New South Wales. ALTERATION OF RULES. “ The difficulty in securing a quorum at the monthly general meetings suggested the alteration of Rule XX., which was accordingly adopted, by substituting, quarterly for monthly general meetings. STATISTICS. “ A reference to the statistics attached, exhibits the total value of exports as slightly less than those of the previous year, the principal falling off being apparent in that of wheat, which this year gives £73,611 as against £134,010 last year ; but a very considerable interprovincial trade has been transacted in this cereal, besides which, a large portion was sent coastwise to Dunedin and Wellington for shipment to England, the method of recording which, we regret to say, renders it impossible for us to give any reliable account of. We trust, however, this may be remedied in the future, and a system adopted to enable those interested in the trade to make themselves acquainted with this very useful information. In addition to the foregoing, it is but reasonable to assume that the extremely low prices ruling for wheat and flour in the English markets, induced a great man} exporters to withhold shipments until the season was further advanced. PRESERVED MEATS. “This is another item that evidences a considerable falling off, and the difficulty in effecting sales, combined with unsatisfactory rates, will, in all probability, cause this item to disappear altogether from future reports. NEW ZEALAND HEMP. “We also regret to find exhibiting a marked diminution in quantity and value, nor do we see a probability of any improvement until it becomes better known and appreciated. WOOL. “ A glance at the figures opposite this staple may surprise many, showing the quantity exported 771,1751bs less than last year, whilst the number of sheep in the province ha increased by 141,249. But it must be borne in mind that this year wool was extremely light in the grease, and this tempted a great many to wash and scour. That this fact has affected the quantity is be yonddoubt, when wecomparethe values,which for the reduced quantity exported shows an increase of £85,404 over the larger quantity shipped last year. This, however, cannot be accounted for by alteration in the market price, imports. “These show a very considerable falling off as against those of last year—via,. £152,233. This may be due to the fact of the markets having been overstocked in tin previous year, and a determination on the

part of importers to confine their operations to the legitimate requirements of the market, and to which may be attributed in a great measure the general soundness of the trade of the province “ By the removal from the province of Mr William Dymock, the Chamber loses one of its most, active and useful members, and your committee desire to place on record their appreciation of that gentleman’s services. “L. E. Nathan, chairman. “ 12th August, 1875.” Mr Bird also read the balance sheet, which showed that there was a balance in hand, exclusive of £2OO on deposit, of £47 18s. Mr W. Day moved that the report and balance sheet as read, with the statistics, be received and adopted, and printed for circulation amongst the members;” Mr G. Stead seconded the motion, which was carried. The next business was the election of a chairman and vice-chairman for the ensuing year. The chairman said that they would first take the election of chairman, and then report to the meeting that Mr W. H. Lane was their retiring vice-chairman. On the ballot, Mr W. H. Lane (the retiring vice-president) was elected as chairman. Mr Lane said he desired to thank them for the honor they had conferred upon him by the election, as he considered it a great honour to preside over a body such as the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. He feared, however, that he would have considerable difficulty in filling the office after the exceedingly efficient way in which it had been filled by his predecessors. While speaking he desired to call the attention of those present to a colonial production from the works of the Canterbury Spinning and Weaving Company in the shape of a pair of well-made blankets. The articles exhibited, we may say, bear favorable comparison with either Dunedin or Australian productions, being soft and well woven, with a close texture. Altogether they are very creditable productions, and well worthy of inspection. They will be on view at the rooms of the Chamber, and we hope that those who take an interest in our colonial manufactures will look in and inspect them. The next election was that for deputy chairman. After the ballot Mr Peter Cunningham was declared duly elected amid cheers. The following gentlemen were elected as the committee for the ensuing year : Messrs Palmer, Nathan, Aynsley, Connal, Hennah, Stead, Turner, Inglis, and Coates. Mr Palmer said that, before the meeting separated, he desired to move a very cordial vote of thanks to the chairman. That gentleman had discharged his duties with marked ability during the year; indeed, the work had been done in a manner reflecting the greatest credit alike upon the Chamber and Mr Nathan, [Cheers.J Mr Inglis desired to second the vote most cordially, not as a mere matter of form, as he knew from the work that the chairman had done, that it had been most efficiently carried out. The motion was then put, and agreed to by acclamation, the committee being included in the vote, on the suggestion of Mr Gould. Mr D. Craig was re elected as auditor, and a vote of thanks for his past services recorded.