LOWER HUTT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 2, 6 June 1929, Page 10

LOWER HUTT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The annual meeting of Uhe Lower Hutt Chamber of Commerce was held in the River Board Boom on Wednesday 29t>h May. There was a fair at : tendance and the meeting proved to be a very enthusiastic one.

The President (Mr. JusliniVl. Power) presented a very able report on the work and the progress of the Chamber. Mr. Power advised members that the retiring executive had considered many matters in the interests of Lower Htitt, some, of which were alterations of Power Board's xat~es, the question of slogans to be displayed .within t&e borough, increased police protection;, better telephone services between Lower Hutt. and Wellington.. During ,the year ,the name had been changed from Lower Hutt Business Men's Association to the Lower Hutt Chamber -of Commerce. In this direction the menilaers, stated Mr. Power, had much to thank the executive for.

Another matter of importance to the Chamber was contesting of the local mayoralty seat and alsdthe boTbugh. council election. Mr. Power added that considerable good would result from the contest and although defeated he felt that the business people of Lower Hutt s-hould have representation on the Borough Council

The president's report also included items of recommendation for the incoming executive touching on matters Of great importance to the local business people and in conclusion he expressed his appreciation of the work carried buy by his executive and officers. Mr Power also presented the financial statement of the Association which showed a surplus on the year's workings and the result of which proved tha financial position for the past 12 months' work. The balance sheet showed a considerable number of out; standing subscriptions and it was hoped that members would assist the secretary by forwarding them immediately.

The presentation' of the report and balance sheet was adopted by the meet ing and the result of the elections of officers for the ensuing year fesiilted as follows:—President Mr. Justin' M. Power (re-elected); Vice-president, Mt W. J. Little; hon. secretary and-trea-surer, Mr. A. Aekroyd; hon. solicitor, Mr. C. E. Barrett ; hon. auditor, vMr. Maurice J. Power. Executive Committee: Messrs H*. Hayes, J. W. Newell, C. C. Odlin, A. C.' Seeats, Jv Thomas, S. T. Watkins and" A. N-. Wallace.

On the motion of Mr Power, seconded by Mr. Buchanan, honorarium of £5/5/ was.voted to the secretary., .

It was also decided that a general meeting of t-he chamber be held every quarter. On the motion of Mr. Power a hearty" vote of'thanks was accorded to the outgoing officers.

The question of the Chamber obtaining reliable information regarding the compulsory closing of shops on certain holdays was raised' The- president agreed to display a notice board at his office giving the necessary information obtained from the Labour Department.

T-he President asked for an expression of opinion from those present-on the advisability of holding another Shopping Week. - ■

Mr. Brown considered that ■ the, project had been received favourably. Mr. Andrews considered that too much attention had been devoted in the past to, the social side and not sufficient concentration had. been given to inducing people to enter t-lie shop 3. Mr Wallace concurred in/this view.

Mr. Little had been we]* please 3 •with tix£ v results of the last shopping ■week and -tad- (lerived eonsideisable benefit from the effort. He thought that, profiting, by past experience, some innovations might be made, possibly a series of special Friday shopping days could be arranged. .

The president thought that it might be possible to keep' the y propogania going throughout the year "and stated that, the committee having succeed?,:! in bringing the pooi/la iuto the stv^t, it remained / for the individual; effort of the shop keeper to. attract the crowd as customers. Mx Power said that he hoped that anybody with new • idea would not hesitate to convey them either to himself or any member cf the executive so- that they might lie able to improve upon previous efforts. ;