CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1920, Page 1

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7th.

'Die monthly meeting of the above was. held at the County Chambers at 7.45 o’clock. . Present: W. J. JUitler (vice President), W. S. W. Ford, 1\ JR. Stewprt, J. Ritchie, J. J. Micjntoqh, and p. J. -JSvyns. The minutes of the previous meeting ,\v.ei;o confirmed grid the outward romapondejme japptovtid. INWARD CQRRF4STOMDLXCE.

From Forestry Department replying .that rieprcyspntations made regaitding establishing the proposed School of Forestry in. Canterbury were notod and would have due consideration when the location was being determined.—Received. From Minister of Public Works acknowledging letter regarding bridges in Little Wanganui, Waitangi, and Waiho, and stating the matter's referred to would have enrefui consideration.—Re-

ceived. From Associated .Chamber of Commerce notifying subscription due, and date of annual .meeting,—-Recoived; am- ! omit passed for payment. Mr Butler . who had been appointed delegate lie'could not remain in Wellington far the meeting and the Secretary had been requested "to appoint a proxy on his behalf. This action was approved. From Jas. Grant, for local sawmiller.s asking support in regard to request to Government for additional siding accommodation required.—Received; Ac- . tion approved in telegraphing the Minister of Railways on the subject. A suggestion was put forward that those of the local millers not already in the Sawmillers Federation should join up which would give them a connection with the Executive in Wellington, and so have a more direct means of making any representations to Government Departments. From Minister of Railways replying that, the representations regarding sawmillers’ request would have careful consideration, —Received. From Canterbury Progress League stating it was proposed to introduce a Westland section in the League’s bookie for overseas distribution, and asking for twenty photographs to illustrate the section.— Received; The Secretary stated a selection of photos of distinctive scenery etc. bad been sent to Mr Climie from which a choice a regards variety could he made Action approved Mjr Climie wrote subsequently expressing thanks for the excellent assortment of views supplied, and which lie ! considered would add to the attractions of .the booklet. prom Snipe in regard to public works in Westland, and replying that the Westland Committee was acting in the matter. —Received. From Thomas Seddon M.P., stating that a tender for Little Waitaha bridge

■ had been accepted on October 18tli.— Received with satisfaction, f I from Wellington Central Chamber of 1, Commerce, forwarding copy of annual f ; report,—Received with thanks. • j From Westland Automobile Assoein—i tion promising; to co-operate in. the I movement for a substantial grant to (widen take Kanieri road.—Received. From Robert Ritchie, Chamber correspondent Bruce Bay district, urging ■I attention to the proposed jetty at the i Bay to facilitate exports of flax, poles, sleepers and posts, and stating labor | was available for the work in the dis- | triet:—Received; further representor j tions to be made to Minister of Marne, and Mr J. Ritchie and others appointed .1 as a deputation to confer with the Resi-’ dent Engineer to be in town the following morning. From S. W. Richardson, Chamber correspondent at Wataroa, reporting as to school requirements o-’id facilities; ' being afforded country children requiring dental attention..—Received; Re-; ' gaining .the erection of a new school , in a more central site the Secretary; j reported the matter had .been put Be-; fore the Canterbury Education Board 1 through the Hon. Griminond. The latI ter reported that the Roard at its meeti ing last week, resolved to again wire the Government asking for a building. [ grant. The Board had purchased the land for the school site, and as soon , as the money was promised, the erection ! would proceed. In the course of the | discussion the Chamber suggested that . perhaps the Wataroa public ball could j be used as a temporary building pending the erection of the school. It was' j resolved to communicate with the Min-'' 1 iste.r of Education on .the matters referred to, and ask the Canterbury Rro- ' grests League to take up the question of dental service; also to thank Hon Griminond for his action. It was menl tinned a temporary teacher had now been sent to the Wataroa school, and fresh applications invited for a perman--ent teacher. , 1 From Westland Progress League asking that delegates lie appointed to match the district interests affected by the Greymouth Harbour Act. —Reeeiv- ■ ed; Messrs Butler, Perharn, Wilson and' Houston’s appointment was approved. From g. W. Ford, expressing thanks for election to Chamber and promising co-operation. Received; The Chairman welcomed Mr Ford. GENERAL. Mr J. Ritchie stated the widening of the Wailio-Welioka road had ceased,: and life Urged representations should be made to continue the work. Last week his son had driven a spring cart through, but in the narrow .part the horse had to be taken out, and the cart pulled over the difficult places. It was resolved to wait on the Resident" Engineer and urge the resumption of this urgent work now so near completion. Mr Ritchie referred also to the Slippery Face Deviation which was required in the far south to enable traffic to. get through safely. It was resolved to bring this matter before Mr Gillies, also, a deviation route having been explored and the money voted for the ' work. 1 Tlie sale, of a considerable area of 1

relitlement land at dottle Wanganui was brought under notice, and it was resolved to draw the attention of the Minister of Lands to the opportunity of purchasing a large tract of country adjacent to a dairy factory, which cut up for closer settlement, would carry a dozen or fifteen settlers. This step was unanimously approved by the meeting. TRAVELS ABROAD. Mr W. Wilson recently returned from the United States,where he had been on a health trip, gave an interesting account of his tour abroad. Ho sailed by the Muraina. On the three weeks trip to San Francisco, the boat-touched at Raratonga and Tahiti, where interesting sights were seen. It was his third visit to. San Francisco and he could only marvel at the great improvements noticeable there. - Ho spoko of-the buildings, roads, street traffic, the wonderful harbour, and the remarkable gardens. Mr -Wilson spent some weeks in the fruit district of California, and lie gave an interesting account of the fruit picking, drying and packing.' The trade is worth a vast sum of money annually to tlie country, great areas of which are under beautiful cultivation. In sport. Mr Wilson was much interested in baseball and golf, in the latter ganie he partcipnted in a championship competition with some very interesting exper- ; ieiices, not the least of which were the five people lie nu»t. One incident ho related was being introduced to an American, who being toTd Mr -Wilson came from New Zanland remarked, “Why I just wrote a letter there yesterday. Do you happen to know- where Hokitika is?” “Oil yes, replied Mr Wilson I i

live there.” Then perhaps you know a Mr Ford there. "Yep, answered Mr Wilson, “lie is my next door neighbour.” Needless to say this bond made a very fjrm friendship. Mr Wilson spoke of the excellence of the hotels and pleasures of travelling by rail—but the cost was high. He recounted some stories about prohibition and the tricks of the trade to procure liquor. The best effect of prohibition was the wiping out of the saloons, but much bad liquor was being sold, to i drink which was to entice madness. Mr Wilson saw something of the movies and met some of the artists—very interesting people. .One, Mr Rogers had been through New Zealand with Wirths’ Circus as a cowboy. The newspapers of the United States with some few ex- ' eeptiqns were poor, but the magazines wore high class. From many of the newspapers emanated anti-British opinions, but these were not the views of the true American who liked Britain. The mixed nature of the population wh 0 drew in many eases their opinions from the press was an unsatisfactory factor. American was a great go-ahead country,, and did things thoroughly, but all the same there was a pleasure in being back home again in a country were living was cheaper and life less strenuous. New Zealand bad many advantages as a home country, and it was good to be

back home again. Mr IVilson was thanked for his pleasant chat and congratulated on his safe return and restoration to health. The meeting concluded nt 10 p.m.