CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 675, 18 August 1876, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The annual general meeting of the Chamber was held on Thursday at 3 p. m. The chair was occupied by the chairman of the Chamber, Mr P. Cunningham. Present —Messrs 0. W. Turner, J. Anderson, J, Goss, Maling, Pavitt, Allan, Booth, Cuff, Stead, 0. P. Barber, W. Day, D. Davie, A. Duncan, W. W. Cobb, Morris, Revans, Garrick, 0. R. Blakiston, F. Jenkins, Palmer, Nathan, Palmer, Goss, Inglis, Macpherson. . The minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed. Mr Moore was elected as a member of the Chamber on the ballot.

The chairman called upon the secretary to read the report of the committee for the past year. Mr J. A. Bird, the secretary, then read the following report ; “ Business Report.—The committee have now the pleasure to submit the seventeenth annual report of the Chamber, with a review of the business brought under their notice during the past year. The usual monthly meetings, together with numerous subcommittee meetings, have occupied a considerable portion of the time of the members, and they trust good results may ensue. Your committee have to congratulate the Chamber on a very prosperous condition of trade during the period they have held office; engagements have been generally well met, and there have been no large failures to notice. The legitimate sources of this prosperity are the abundant harvest of last year, and the continuance until last season’s sales of remunerative prices for wool, advantageously aided by the continual expenditure on public works. According to the published statistics by the Government, the exports during the year ending June 30th, 1876, have amounted to about a million and a half, as against £1,074,401 for the year ending at the same period in 1875. The increased resources of the settlers have, no doubt, to a great extent been invested in waste lands of the Crown, which have been purchased during the year to the extent of £453,249, as against £290,224 during the corresponding previous year. Doubless the aid_ of money lending institutions has been availed of to some important extent in effecting these purchases ; but as far as your committee can judge there is no ground for supposing that borrowings have exceeded perfectly safe limits. There can be no doubt that the condition of pastoral and agricultural settlers has improved most .considerably during the last few years—a fact of most important significance at the present time, as regards sheep farmers, when the article of wool has suffered a most serious decline in price. From the unfortunate condition of the wool market an enormous deficiency must result in the income of the province, which, combined as it may be, with reduced expenditure on public works, and the effect of large investments in land, though not necessarily affording ground for alarm, will, in the opinion of your committee, call for the greatest caution on the part of all classes to keep their engagements within prudent bounds.

“ Bankruptcy Laws. —This matter has had a very considerable amount of time and attention bestowed upon it by the commit- j tee. The new Act of 1876, prepared by Mr ; Bowen, did not meet with the approval of j this Chamber, and it was considered advisable to request the Government to refer the subject to a Select Committee of the Legislature, who would be in a position to call for evidence from those experienced in working similar Acts, with a view, if possible, to get the law in such a form that it would not be necessary again to amend for several years, as the continual alterations of which are a great inconvenience to the commercial community.

“Public Buildings. This long delayed question has been brought up from time to time in committee, and the result of interviews, letters, and telegrams with the Provincial and General Governments, has only produced plans of the proposed buildings. The committee had a promise that the work should be gone on with soon after the opening of the present session of the Assembly, and they trust within a very short time to be informed that tenders are being called for the erection of a suitable pile of buildings in Cathedral square. “ .Railway Rates.—ln February last the committee, by request of the Chamber, were instructed to interview the provincial authorities with a view to induce them to reduce what was considered a very excessive railway and wharfage tariff at that date. The reply from the Government was to the effect that they were not in a position to make any alteration, but would consider the question. On April Ist the Chamber had the satisfaction .of seeing a reduced tariff brought into force all over the_ Canterbury lines, and with the gross receipts for six mouths to June 30lh of J 8127,455 XTs sd, even the reduced rates must leave a large surplus over working expenses, and may enable the Government at no distant date to consider a farther reduction of the railway tariff. _ ... “ Tribunals of Commerce.—Your committee bad this subject brought under their notice

by the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. After a careful consideration of the subject, the principle of such tribunals was approved of, although seeing great difficulties in the way of establishing such. Your committee forwarded their opinion to the Minister of Justice.

“ Steam Tug.—For several years this want has been very much felt at Lyttelton. The Government having been induced to offer a subsidy for two years has had the desired effect, and we have now the services of a first-class steamer, “ Harbor Board.—lnconveniences and loss in working the harbor, induced the committee to take very decisive steps in trying to establish a Harbor Board for Lyttelton. The Chamber giving consent to a Bill drafted by a joint committee composed of members of the Lyttelton Borough Council and of this Chamber, it was agreed to forward it to the Minister of Public Works, asking him to carry the Bill through the House as a Government Bill. This he declined to do, but promised to do so as a member for JOhriatchurch, stating that all such Bills must be brought in by private, members. We trust this measure will receive the support of all our Canterbury members, and may become law at an early dite.

“ Amendment of the Law Relating to Absconders,—The urgent necessity for fresh legislation on this subj ct was brought under the notice of your committee, whereupon the Minister of Justice was communicated with, who promised that the matter would bo taken into consideration immediately. “ Orozet Islands.—A letter was received from Mr B. B. Bishop, on the advisability of petitioning the Imperial Government to order one of the men-of-war to establish a food and clothing station on these islands, with the view of relieving the sufferings of castaways who might be unfortunate enough to be cast thereon. The Commissioner of Customs was asked to communicate with the Imperial Government drawing attention to this matter.

“Warehousing Goods Act, —A new Bill introduced by the Hon Mr M'Lean .to afford security for storage and transfer of free goods, also for the security in transfer of bonded goods, were sent into this Chamber for its opinion, and it was considered that it would be of great advantage to merchants. “Telegraphic Communication with Europe. —On the opening of telegraphic communication with Europe, this Chamber took the opportunity of complimenting the Honorable Sir Julius Vogel on the successful issue of his arrangements made for this colony. The interruption by breakage for the last four weeks has caused very considerable inconvenience, and has shown very forcibly to mercantile men the benefit of the line. We trust our Government will see fit to arrange with the other colonies for a second cable.

« Postal Cards;—-The member for Christchurch, Mr Stevens, has brought this matter before the General Assembly, and we may expect a law passed this session authorising the use of postal cards, a system which has, in England, Victoria, and New South Wales, been working for some time most satisfactorily. “Dredges for Lyttelton.—Daring the last few days, the dredges and barges for deepening the harbour have been at work, and appear to give satisfaction to those who have a knowledge of such working. We have no doubt they will do good service to the port. The Government propose to build two new barges, as it is found the two present steamers cannot keep the dredgers fully employed. “ General Business—Various other subjects have come under the notice of your committee, amongst which were the following;— Increased wharfage accommodation ; alterations of rules—it would be advisable to revise our rules, as well as the rules of arbitration, by a Select Committee of the Chamber. A letter has been received from Mr Craig, secretary of the Insurance Companies’ Association, drawing attention to an anchor of the ship Lady Jocelyn being still in Lyttelton harbour—Government was communicated with, and advised to have the same removed if possible ; complaints from the London Association of Brokers have been mude of wool being dumped to injure the staple; bills of lading; Mr Lane, the chairman appointed last annual meeting, resigned early this year; we also lost the services of Mr L. Coates and Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley on the committee; regulations for berthing vessels caused the Government to bo communicated with—the Provincial Secretary gave every assistance, and removed any cause of complaint; several new members have joined the Chamber during the year. “ Financially, we are in a prosperous position, having £350 invested at 1 per cent. Since the balance-sheet was prepared, our secretary has received about £240 —£ 1 50 of which we will now ask instructions to invest at 7 percent, which will bring up our reserve to £SOO. The balance of assets is expected to be more than ample for the year’s expenditure. 11 We commend to the careful attention of the members the statistics attached to this report.” The Chairman proposed that the report as read be received and adopted. Mr 0. W. Turner seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The next business was the reception rf the balance sheet, which was read by the secretary. From this it appeared that the receipts had been £368 18s 3d, and the disbursements £368 3s 6d, leaving a balance of 14s 9d in hand. The sum of £350 was invested in various securities

The chairman said, since that balance sheet had been prepared, some £240 had been collected by the secretary, and they now proposed to carry £l5O inore for investment. [Hear, hear.] Mr Stead moved—“ That the balancesheet bn received and adopted.” Mr Pavitt seconded the motion, which was agreed to. It was resolved— “ That the annual report, balance-sheet, and statistics, should be printed and circulated amongst the members.” Mr G. Booth called attention to the fact that there was no reference in the report as to a graving dock at Lyttelton, The chairman said that from information be had received from the Secretary for Public Works, he found that the Government had done nothing in the matter, and for this reason : It appeared that the agent for Sir John Goode, who had been here to gain information as to the formation of a graving dock had, after returning home, found that be had omitted to get certain information. This be applied

to the Government for, but as it would have cost them some hundreds of pounds, their funds would not at that time warrant them doing it. Mr Nathan moved the notice of motion standing in his name, as follows—“ That upon the recommendation of the committee, it shall be competent on the pait of the general meeting to elect honorary members of the Chamber.” The mover in the course of his remarks referred to the services of a legal gentleman who had given a great deal of attention in framing the various suggestions as to the bankruptcy laws which had been sent forward. His resolution had reference to thin and similar cases. Mr Pavitt seconced the motion.

After considerable discussion, Mr Turner would then give notice of motion for a later period as follows:—“That this chamber expresses its appreciation of the many services rendered to the committee of the chamber by Dr Foster, and desires the chairman of committee to tender to that gentleman the thanks of the chamber, and to ask his acceptance of an honorarium." After some further discussion, Mr Nathan asked leave to insert after the words “ recommendation of” the words “ at least two-thirds,” which was granted.

Mr Nathan’s resolution as amended was then put and negatived, the voting being— For the resolution, 0; against, 12. Mr Turner then moved—“ That this Chamber expresses its appreciation of the many services rendered to the committee of the Chamber by Dr Foster, and desires the chairman of committee to tender to that gentleman the thanks of the Chamber, and to ask his acceptance of an honorarium.” Mr Nathan seconded the motion, which was agreed to unanimously. Mr Inglis took the chair, to enable Mr Cunningham to move the following resolution :—“ That the names of members proposed for selection as chairman, deputy chairman, or committee of the Chamber, shall be set forth in the list showing the offices to to which it is proposed they shall be elected. Lists shall be posted in some conspicuous place appointed by the committee during the space of at least seven days preceding the annual general or special meeting, and the persons so proposed shall alone be eligible for election.” The motion was then pul and agreed to. The next business was the election of a chairman of the Chamber- for the ensuing year. On the ballot, Mr P. Cunningham was reelected.

Mr John Anderson was elected as deputy chairman.

Both gentlemen returned thanks for the honor done them.

The following gentlemen were elected as a committee —viz, Messrs Palmer, Stead, A. Duncan, Connall, Macpherson, Nathan, Inglis, C. W. Turner, and Hassall. Mr D. Craig was elected auditor. Mr Pavitt said that it was only right that a vote of thanks should be recorded to the chairman, deputy-chairman, and committee, for their services during the past year.” Mr Davis seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Palmer spoke at some length regarding the valuable services rendered by Mr Cunningham during the year, especially referring to his efforts to secure public buildings in the city. The chairman said that he felt very deeply the compliment which had been paid to him by the remarks of Mr Pavitt and Mr Palmer, all he could saj was that he would, during the coming year, endeavour to the best of his ability, to discharge the duties of his office. On behalf of the committee and himself he thanked the members of the Chamber for their kind appreciation of any services they had been able to render. With a vote of thanks to the auditor, the meeting terminated.