CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1922, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY HtJa

The monthly meeting of the Chamber was held at the County Chambers at 7.35 o'clock. Present—Messrs G. A. Perry (Chairman), J. Ritchie, P. W Duff, T. W. Bruce, C. J. Nightingale, A. Aitken, R. Wild, W. Wilson and D. J- Evans. An apology was received for ■ the absence of Mr W. J. Butler.

The minutes of the previous meeting were, confirmed and the outward correspondent approved'. From Meadows and Coy. Ltd., London asking list of firms in district interested in motor traffic.—Received; list to be supplied. Frotti Minister of- Public Works, replying that representation's regarding calling tenders for Waitangi bridge would have consideration.—Received'. From General Manager, N.Z. Railways, Stating that the request for a recasting of the Ross train service would bfe cotlskfered; and' a reply forwarded later.—Reeived. It was stated the Traffic Manager would! visit H6ldtika; next Tuesday, and' Messrs Perry, Aitkin and Bruce w'erc appointed' .a sub-coffimittee tV discHi's's time-table matters with the railway officials. It was resolved to notify the Ross Borough Council of the visit and ask for the local views as to a' suitable readjustment of the time-table. The opinion wa : s expressed that Ideal' requirements could' be met by altering the running of the trains, without increasing the number of tlie trains.

/ From R. Ritchie, Maintain, accepting the position of country correspondent for tli'e Bruce Bay district.—Received with thanks.

GENERAL. Accounts to the amount of £ll Is 3d wore passed for payment. Mr Evans moved that the Minister in charge of the State Forest Service be urged to initiate a reafforestation scheme in Westland, the land and climate of which are so congenial to forestry growth, thus assuring success in the direction suggested. Mr Bruce seconded. A discussion, in regard to forestry matters followed in which some criticism was passed on the costly adWihistratioh 1 of tli'e Department. The opinion was expressed that if afforestation Was to be profitable at all, it would be in a district such as Westland where the conditions were so favorable to growth'. It was urged also that there was ample waste land which could lie utilised readily k'>r the purpose, and thereby turned to a useful purpose. The motion was carried. Mr (Ivans moved that with a view to attending fo the wants of the town and district in order to equip the, place for its prospering future, a conference be convened of the members of all local ho lies with tlie object of formulating a progressive policy of development wi'.hin tli'e means of the people. Mr Wdd seconded. In the course of remarks made on the motion, it was stated 5 additional accommodation was nctessaVy in tlie town, and the need for improvement in the water supply -,V£.s imperative. In regard to the'latter subject Mr Perry said 112* gallons of water were flowing into the reservoir per nfiliufe. That was equal to 65 gallons per head pc-r day. It appeared there mlist be a leakage in the reticulation service, and this was now being looked for. Remark was passed that when first initiated there was ample Viator for the town, and that the loss now could be accounted for only by leakage. Tlie risk in regard to an outbreak of lire was serious when- the. pressure was off as had been the ease of late. Ultimately the moti'ofr Was carried, the meeting to he held at the Town Hall during the present month.. Mr Ritchie niOved’ that the Public Work's Department Job asked to improve the Wniho-Weheka road for wheel traffic, as und'er tlVe new mail service it was proposed to utilise a car over the road. -Mr Bruce seconded.—Carried. itr Rftcihe moved that representations be made to flic Marine Department agniVr with regard to the undertaking of Bruce Bay landing, now held s 0 long in abeyance. Mb Wild seconded.—Cafried'. Tlie meeting concluded at 8.00.