WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1922, Page 1

WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1

The monthly meeting of the Executive of the Chamber was held at the County Chambers at 7.30 o’clock. Present:—Messrs G. A. Perry dent), in the chair, W. J. Butler (vicePresident), AT. Houston, C. J. Nightingale, J. Ritchie, IT. Wild, T. W. Bruce and D. J. Evans (Hon Secretary).

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. , The Chairman reported with regard fo the visit of the members of the British Empire’ Exhibition? mission. The Commissioners had been motored to Lake' Kanieri via the Hi mu Flat dredge, and greatly enjoyed the outing.- The address by Major Belcher had been most informative, and dealt fully with the Imperial aspect of the proposal in' hand. He agreed that New Zealand should ho well represented at the Exhibition.

Mr Butler in supporting the Chairman’s remarks supplemented same by stating Major Belcher bad addressed the' SaWmrliers’ Federation at Wellington, giving a most inspiring address.

1N WA HD COR R ESPONDENCE. From Minister of Pnblie Works, notifying conditions of transport oi pVodrtce through the' Otihi tunnel from mid-Septymber.-—Received with satisfaction.

From W. Belsliaw, Secretary to the Winter School, thanking the’ Chamber for its cordial vote, and stating the request regarding next year’s School had been forwarded to the authorities at. Christchurch.—Received. Front W. L. Marriner, Chairman of the Railways Committee of the C'nnterhury Chamber of Commerce, suggesting overseas importers- should arrange fo have goods consigned- via Lyttelton, so- as to increase the volume' of freightage through the Otira tunnel.—Received. The idea was generally snpport-od but the question was one of freight rates. At present bills Of lading were obtainable from Txtndon to Hokitika, the ship paving the coastal freight on the transhipments from the main port of unloading. It Was a matter of the railway rates competing with the seaborne freights, and it was resolved to make enqiiirv Oil the point-, also enquiring if the Railway Department would take lull responsibility for transhipments,' and give facilities for quick transport of Homo goods. Mr Butler said it was important- the timber freights to the'East Coast should he known as early as possible, as the information Would govern the volume of orders for timber supplies from tint' East Coast. It was resolved to make enquiry on the points raised.

Krun, Wilson and Horton, offering a page advertisement in the Christinas number of the Auckland Weekly News for CTO. —Received. . I*’rum Taxpayers Association, forwarding synopsis of public expenditure accounts for the past financial year with comparative statements for previous vears. —Received with thanks. GKNKRAIj. The Hon Treasurer (Mr Ritchie), reported a credit balance of CI9 Is 9d. Received. Satisfaction was expressed at the letting of a tender for Waitangi bridge, ft was stated the contractor was now arranging for the necessary timber supply. It was resolved to congratulate the' Government on the selection of Mr I'. T. Sandford (formerly of Hokitika) as Immigration Officer to he appointed in London. Tt was decided also to express satisfaction to the Prime Minister and Minister of Customs in regard to the proposed reciprocal treaty between Australia and Now Zealand. Tho revised tariff for timber was particularly appreciated as a means of affording more general reemployment within the district. The meeting concluded at 8.40 p.tn.