WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1922, Page 1

WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

TUESDAY, JUNE 13tli

The monthly meeting of the Chamber was held at the County Chambers at 7.10 p.ni. Present—Messrs W. J. But. lor (voted to the chair), T. W. Duff, J. Ritchie, R. Wild, C. J. Nightingale, and D. J. Evans. An apology was made for the absence of Mr G. A.

Perry (President). The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

From Associated Chambers of Commerce Conference, Wellington, notifying a- •Pan-Pacific commercial donferenco would he held at Honolulu October 24 November 7, and inviting New Zealand representatives with a knowledge of Pacific i roblems.—Received. From N.Z. Taxpayers Association thanking tlie Chamber for past help, and stating members had been circularised and asked to subscribe individually 1o the Association, which was now presenting tlie else for tho taxpayers to the Royal Commission dealing with the subject- of taxation ; also asking that any local mutters he notified and evidence (in triplicate) he forwarded to the Committee at Wellington now in session. Received with thanks. A discussion ensued in regard to various anomalies. in respect- to which the Chairman stated evidence had been submitted by various organisations with which ho was connected, and written evidence would he supported hv an oral statement before (lie Commission. From Town Clerk, Hokitika, granting the use of Town Hall for Local Bodies’ Conference and stating the subsidy to the Otira motor mail service would he increased to £2o.—Received, with thanks.

- From Town Clerk. Ross, regretting owing to the unsuitability of tlie train service it was not- possible to ho represented at the Local Bodies’ Conference ; also indicating that as the railwav service was not, convenient now. the Council could not continue its subsidy to tho Qtira moto,- mail service.—Received with regret: Comment was passed on the fact that since the '‘cut” numerous special trains wer,. being run over the line, hut these were not made available for public tiafiic. Fmui T. E. A'. Sododti. ALT*, stating matters brought under his notice had l>ccn attended to and forwarding Ministerial replies. Received with thanks. From Minister of Internal 'Affairs stating the question of providing a steamer for tho South AVc.stland sor-

vice had been referred to the Minister of Alarine.—Received.■

From Minister of Marine replying that information was required as to the probable cargo from and to South Westland to enable negotiations to he opened with the Anchor Coy., for a steamer to visit South AYestland ports periodically.—Received; It was resolved to reply that in a former effort to get the Anchor Coy., to take up the southern service, tho Hokitika Shipping Coy., had supplied tlie Anchor Coy. with all particulars of the trade, and that information wag before the directors at Nelson. From Afinistcr of Customs intimating that the question of duty oil timber in respect to the Australian trade could not he made public till the matter was reported shortly to Parliament.—Tie, ceivcd.

From Postmaster-General stating the question of a second mail to AVailio Gorge during the winter months would lie considered.—Received; The Secretary said the Department was net favourable to the second mail at present. A request had been made for a second mail to run as far as Wataroa settlement, but a reply was not yet to hand. It was resolved to enquire as to the probable cost of such a service. From Afinistcr of Public AVorks replying that early and careful consideration would he given to the request to transport butter and cheese through the Otira tunnel this season.—Received. From Same stating that the matter of improving the bridges on the Hoki-tika-1! oss road to early heavy traffic would have careful consideration.— Received.

From Same intimating the request to speed tlie completion of the Otira Tunnel fop general traffic would have ever v consideration.—Received

From Minister of Afines expressing interest in the paper submitted to the Local Bodies’ Conference on the subject of.fostering gold-mining in Westland and stating tho various proposals mentioned would ho gone into, and a further reply forwarded later.

GENERAL. Various publications were received and laid on the table. The Treasurer (Air Ritchie) reported a credit balance of £l7 17s 3d. An account for £1 16s was passed for payment. A report was made that the heavily laden motor lorries travelling on the main south road were cutting up the roads very badly in places, and that if the matter were not attended to, tlie. rond would soon he in very dangerous order, and ho a menace to traffic next season. The primary cause of the cxcesisve damage was tlie high rate of speed at which some of the motor lorries travelled, ft was resolved to draw the attention of the authorities, fo the complaints made. The meeting concluded at 8.45 o’clock.