Chamber of Commerce

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 February 1914, Page 2

Chamber of Commerce

TELEPHOX ES; RAILWAYS;

ROADS

The Levin Chamber of Commerce met in the County offices on Tuesday evening. Present — Messrs E. S. Lancaster (chairman), D. Mathe.son, D. Smart, H. JNewport, J. A. Haswell, W. Eccleton, W. Heslop and (i. P. Brown.

Mr Smart tendered an apology for the absence of Mr M. I'osella, who is indisposed. Air Matheson reported that the committee set up at the last meeting to inquire into ail matters in connection with the party telephone scheme had recommended that subscriptions be invited locally to defray the preliminary expenses ; that the telephone engineer of the Waipawa County Council be invited to attend and supply information, and that when the scheme is ready for initiation the Horowhenua. County Council be asked to take it over. Mr Eccleton stated that lie had received a private communication from Mr Pellow, telephone engineer of Waipawa, stating that he was quite willing to come to Levin and go into the whole matter with the Chamber. Mr Lancaster moved that the recommendations of the committee be adopted. > Mr Matheson seconded the motion. Mr Eccleton said that lie found the people of Manakau were entirely in favour of the scheme, and one had already subscribed towards the preliminary expenses. Mr Hurley said he could get plen. ty of subscribers. Two settlers in that part of the district were arranging for a private line and perhaps it would be as well to call upon them and ask them to wait for the present, scheme and join it. Mr Smart thought it wuukl be wise to have tlie County Councillors for the local ridings at the meeting at which Mr l'el low would explain matters. I Mr Lancaster agreed with this. Mr Haswell considered that it would be as well to ascertain Mr Pel low's charges for liis services. Mr Eccleton stated that if the Chamber could find out the number of possible subscribers and miles of line to be erected it would save paying Mr JPellow for this portion of the work. Mr Matheson drew attention to the fact that a number of local business people now had an association to deal with these_ mattors and a communication should be sent to them.* This he undertook to do personally. Also lie moved that Mr Eccleton and Mr Lancaster be appointed a deputation to interview the business people outside the association. Mr Smart seconded this and it was carried. Mr Eccleton moved that the secretary write to Mr Pel low stating that 'the Chamber will be agreeable to meet him 011 the 10th March if that date is convenient to him, and that the councillors be asked to attend. Mr Lancaster seconded the motion which was carried. Mr Eccleton said Mr H. Andrew had told him Hint he could secure about a dozen subscribers to the scheme from the South Manakau district and several Manakau people would attend the meeting. ! Mr Matheson moved that the same committee as already has the matter in hand make suggestions to the canvasser in gathering the necessary informtaion for the engineer. Mr Lancaster seconded this and it was carried.

RAILWAY DISABILITIES. Mr Haswell drew attention to the fact that the appliances for loading and unloading heavy goods at the local railway station were out of date and inadequate. It was said that it was the fault of the local business people who appeared to be quite satisfied to put up with anything. He moved that the attention oi the Minister for Railways be drawn to these matters and that he be asked to erect a five-ton crane to deal with heavy goods and that direct access from the main platform be given to the parcels office. He stated that cases of galvanised iron had to he burst open and the sheets of iron taken out separately and other goods had to be treated the same. Smaller stations had far better facilities, and the carriers charged extra for the length of time taken in loading and unloading. He also criticised the small parcels office. Mr D. Matheson seconded the motion. He also thro light, that attention should be given to the matter of weights. He knew of a (rase of goods weighing 2cwt. that had been charged as being 4c wt. Mr Lancaster and Mr Heslop supported the motion, the latter stating that the endless chain for loading and unloading was extremely unsatisfactory. He coriJ sidered that a crane was necessary and should have been placc'd there years ago. The motion was carried unanimously. THE BEACH ROAD. Mr Lancaster brought up the matter of the Hokio Ueach road. He thought that if a petition was circulated and presented to the Government—it is year; an opportune time for such re-quests-—they have 110 difficulty in getting a monetary grant towards metalling tlie road. Mr Eccleton seconded this motion and said that it would be necessary to place before the Minister the extent to which the people had helped themselves in rtie matter. He thought the request would be favourably received. Mr Lancaster considered it advisable to obtain an estimate of the cost from the County engineer. Mr Heslop said there Avere parts of the road that needed widening. Mr Eccleton drew attention to the fact that the Estimates would be out in May, and it would be necessary »to proceed with all possible despatch. It was decided that the petition be circulated and the other necessary steps taken in the matter.