CORN EXCHANGE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1235, 18 February 1878, Page 3

CORN EXCHANGE.

The usual weekly meeting of committee was held at the Corn Exchange and Farmers’ Club rooms, Tattersall’s, on Saturday, Feb. 16th. Present —Messrs E. Amyes, John Ferguson, Wm. Inwood, Hy. Overton, C. R. Lead ley, Hy. W. Peryman, H. D. Gardner, "Win. Henderson, C, Amyes, W. A. Brown, Alex. Paterson, Wm. Strachan, and G. B. Woodman. In the absence of Captain Willis, Mr E. Amyes took the chair. The secretary read letters addressed to the General Traffic Manager of Railways, at Christchurch ; to the chairman of the Harbor Board, at Port Lyttelton ; and to the chairman of the Acclimatisation Society. The letter to the Traffic Manager enquired ■what action had been taken with respect to the application for receiving and delivering accommodation at Addington. The letter to the Harbor Board conveyed a resolution passed at last meeting of the committee, expressing sympathy with and promising to support the Board “in its determined and praiseworthy action with reference to the shameful mismanagement of the railway.” The letter to the Acclimatisation Society requested suggestions, with the view of checking the ruin yearly brought about by the sparrows. In reply to the first of these, the General Manager promised that the matter should receive prompt attention. A second letter from Mr Lawson, dated 15th Feb., states that the resident engineer had been asked to report on the practicability of putting in the desired siding, and staled that if, as he understood, there was no difficulty in the way, he would forward the committee’s application, and recommend that the accommodation as asked bo constructed.

In reply to enquiries from Mr Woodman •re railway grievances, the secretary stated briefly, “ that unparalleled cases of inefficient railway management been made iq

writing, which certainly disclosed a very defective state of affairs. He submitted to the members of the committee the Victorian and Canterbury railway tariff rates. The comparison between the special rates and terminal charges were very marked. The solution was that the producers in Victoria could have one ton of produce carried under the special class rate, including terminal charges, for ss, a distance of thirty-two miles, the rate there being l£d per ton per mile, and Is per ton terminal charges, whilst in the province of Canterbury the outlay of 5s would only pay for carrying one ton of produce a distance of twelve miles, the rates here being 2id per ton per mile, and 2s 6d per ton terminal charges. Mr G. B. Woodman proposed, and Mr W. Henderson seconded, that Mr C. Amycs be appointed a member of committee. Mr H. D. Gardner proposed, and Mr C. Amyes seconded—“ That the secretary write to the General Traffic Manager, making the following application :—That the time for receiving produce at all the out stations bo extended from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the busy season, say to include the months of February, March, April, and May; also suggest that better provision should be made for delivering coal at the inland stations, and that a strong representation be made respecting the unreasonable charge made for weighing potatoes, i.e., Id per cwt., in comparison to that of osd per bag for grain. Several matters of railway irregularities, were brought before the committee, respecting goods trucks arriving at inland stations, without either railway invoice or directions as to the delivery. Consequently great delay, serious loss, and inconvenience occurred. It was finally resolved that any consignee who had suffered might address the secretary, setting forth his grounds of complaint. An important discussion took place upon the mode of effectually carrying out the aims of the Corn Exchange and Farmers’ Club, respecting the steps to bo taken for the erection upon co-operative system of commodious sheds near Christchurch in connection with the Corn Exchange. Mr Wm. Henderson gave notice of motion that this day fortnight he would move—“ That steps be taken to carry out the important project now discussed, and that the secretary be instructed to call a special meeling of the members of the committee for the 2nd of March next for that purpose,” Mr E. Amyes gave notice of motion that at 'the next meeting he would move —“ That Wednesday in every week be made a market day as well as Saturday.” The secretary stated that the manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, had furnished for the use of the members of the Corn Exchange, a schedule of prizes for the Metropolitan Exhibition at Sydney in 1878, to be opened Anril 23rd ; also, the price catalogue issued by his London Company of the Now Zealand wools offered at public auction in the London market ; and from Messrs A. Moore and Co,, a price current report issued by Messrs Porweod Bros, and Co., of London, for Australia and New Zealand,

The secretary was instructed to acknowledge receipt with many thanks.