WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Tuesday, July 3. The monthly meeting of the above Cliambei’ was held at the Westland County Chambers last evening, commencing at 7.35 o’clock. Present: —Messrs R. Wild (voted to the chair), W. .T. Butler, G. Davidson, T. W. Duff, W. Wilson, C. M, Malfroy, P. R, Stewart, J. J. Mclntosh, A. Aitken, C. J. Nightingale and D. «1. Kvaus (lion secretary). An apology was made for the absence of the President (Mr G. A. Perry) to whom a vote of sympathy was passed in connection with the recent family bereavement. INWARD.CORRESPONDENCE. Prom Under-Secretary of Mines enquiring particulars of the mineral specimens at Hokitika to ascertain the probable time required for classification.— Received. From A. H. Richards, supplying particulars in respect to. the fore-going.-—Received with thanks, and copy to be forwayded to Mines Department.

From Agricultural Department, telegraphing that analyses of Ross limestone were being forwarded by the Government agricultural ist. — Received. Satisfaction was expressed that stone of such excellent quality had been discovered in the district.

From District Traffic Manager of Railways at Greymontli, in respect to interview in March last stating the General Manager regretted that no alteration can at present be made in the time-table; also that the time of the coach journey cannot be materially shortened, while there were difficulties in the wny of adjusting the train services at Christchurch end.—Received, regret fully.

From District Traffic Manager at Christchurch, reporting the following live stock traffic from Arthur’s Pass to Canterbury 'stations for the year ended March 31st Cattle 2,973, calves 4, sheep 16,297, pigs 20.—Received with thanks. Satisfaction was expi'essed at the volume of traffic, which it was said had considerably increased since the end of the financial year. From District Traffic Manager at Greymontli, regretting that particulars of the stock traffic from Ross and intermediate stations within Westland for Canterbury, could not bo supplied.—Received.

From Ho'n Minister of Agriculture, y a ’ replying t at several offers of areas for an experimental farm in Westland had been received, and those were being investigated by the Department’s officers* and others, and when a decision was reached an announcement would be made.—Received, and regret expressed that the preliminary arrangements of' this matter were so much protracted. From Agricultural Department, notifying scope for agencies for New Zealand products in .South Africa.— Received.

From A. H. Richards, suggesting that if the local mineral specimens were to be classified, the boxes of minerals stored at Rimu might bo brought in to add to the general collection.—Received and referred to the Government mineralogist. GENERAL MATTERS. The question of working the lime deposits ;u, Ross was mentioned, and a lengthy discussion ensued as to the public interests. The concensus of opinion was in favour, of the local bodies controlling the matter, but as a limited public company was now in process of formation it was not, deemed advisable to pass any special resolution on the matter. The desire was to sec public interests folly guarded both as bo price and as to possible future developments in other than lime production. Finally, a general resolution was agreed to that in th e public interests the Westland Laud Board: he asked to make * a general reservation over the limestone area for public purposes, and that an adequate area be granted the proposed public company for lime production to ensure cheap lime to the settlers of the West Coast. The matter of the electrification of t-li© Otira tumpel was brought up, and it was resolved to urge the Grey anu Canterbury Chambers of Commerce and Mr Colvin, M.P., and the Canterbury Members, to request Government to take up this question actively, so that the larg 0 works to he undertaken in connection with the matter would not unduly delay the utility of the tunnel.

It, wa9 mentioned that steady progress was being made with the piercing of the tunnel and it was expected that early next year the heading would lie through lth; 0 Rill. The possible developments of traffic were increasing all the time and this s factor delayed a decision in regard to a power scheme which would now require to bp. much larger than was contemplated at the outset. It, was resolved to support the local body requests for the the appointment of a Westland representative to the Upper House. ' It was intimating that next meeting (August) would ho the usual quarterly gathering when papers on commercial and other subjects would b e read. The Chamber rose at 9. p.m.