WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE .

'ITI.SI-'Y. SIAHCH oth. ■ j The Chandler met at 7.4 D o’clock for j the monthly meeting, tlieie being lire- | sent: - Messrs W. J. Butler (Vice-Pre-sident). C. J. Nightingale, it. Wild. T. W. Duff, and D. J. Evans. The minutes ol the previous meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence was approved. IN WAR I) COH RKS PONT)ENGK. from Chief Postmaster notifying that notwithstanding the erection of Little Wanganui river bridge it is not intended to establish a twice-weekly mail to Mntainui throughout the year.—Received: It was resolved to make further enquiry as to the cost involved and consult the residents on the matter. Also when Waitangi bridge was erected to similarly consult the residents of AVaiho Gorge in regard to a twice weekly mail service throughout the year. From Minister of Public Works stating it was not possible yet to fix a definite date for the opening of goods tiaflie through -Arthurs Pass tunnel.— Received; it was resolved to remind tin- Minister of the promise to make a definite announcement on the subject at the cud of February, and to point out that unofficial reports ciirient and not probable of realisation were having a detrimental eil’oct on orders to the extent that some official statement was urgently necessary. From Same replying that under tinregulations loi radio-broadcasting everything practicable regarding the mutter would he covered.—-Received with thanks. From Ross Borough Council replying in regard to repairs to Mont D'tlr road, and suggesting to relieve the road damage by heavy traffic, the Ro-s train sendee he restored.— Ropoivod and resolved to make representations to the Traffic Manager regarding an improved train service between R-ss and Hokitika. From Associated Chambers of Commerce notifying annual levy. Received and passed for payment. From New Void, Chamber "1 Commerce asking for particulars of Clium-h'-r for publication.- ’Received and attended to. From Clements Motors Ltd., regarding AYait nigi river crossing and ?ilont IVOr road.— Received and alroadi attended to. From Lord do Clifford regret ling inability to visit Westland on lecturing tour, and thanking Chamber |'i r otters of assistance.—Received. From J. Ritchie resigning position oi Hon. r ! r*-:>si:rer owing to removal Ir-'-m tin- district. Received with regret. and a motion of appreciation (or past loyal support ami sen i e va; agreed to. : Front Canterbury Industrial Asm elation notifying: a iit of M; V> . Je'ikui. : idciit. over the week end and e.\-

ptossing a desire to meet mauufaetaiers with reg.qd to j ining the Axsocia--1 ■'■'!. Received with appreciation, the secretary L- arrange a meeting as considered suitable, probably on Monday alt- i noon. It uas further resolved to meet Mr -Lukin on arrival on Saturday. FINANCIAL. It "ns reported there was a credit balance ~f £?,] |t; s yd. Acemints to the amount in Clo. including Otira mail subsidy were pas-ed for payment. .Mr D. J. Evans was appointed lion. Treasurer, vice Mr Ritchie resigned. CONTINUOUS TFI.iKI’IIONF. SERATCE. I he I ’osimaster in reply to enquiries -applied particulars under "liieh ; t cmitineons telephone service could lie arranged from the Hokitika Exchange.Received with thanks. The Secretary reported that the dav ■" eoi.s.y i matter of a continuous t eh--Je-iic s'Tvii'i- at Hokitika had been discussed with Air Mr-Dermott of the 1' h- graph Department. Christchurch, riic present tarili lor rent oi telephones within a mile radius was. private liou-s-S' ii and Imsinos. premises £~ In. | annum. Fur a continuous service the L-1 riff Milder the present rates would he G lor private rudd-mees and C'B BN for business places. But a new tariff

i'» !ik-’!y to eome into vogue very hot'il". That would provide for a minimum for a Dvo-mile radius (inMead of a milo at present) from the exchange. The rates will then ho. private houses £(’, and places of business £0 IY,r the existing hours. For an extension to a eontinnmis service under the new tariff the .schedule of juices "id be as for a 1?) miles radius from the exchange, and rates will he as follows. private houses £.B per annum, places of business £l3 p<r annum. With

a continuous service the exchange will lie open daily (Sundays and holidays, included), and will afford conveniences in regard to the cheaper toll charges lor long distance conversations after midnight. Mr .McDermott indicated that- within six or eight, weeks Hokitika and Christchurch will lie in telephone connection. The toll charges at ordinary hours to speak between the two points will be 3s for three minutes up to 0 p.m. Between !> p.m. and midnight, the tariff will he Is Od for the three minutre. and between midnight ai d fi a.in. Is fid for six minutes conversation. It will require two-thirds of the- holders of private house connections and two thirds of the business connections to sign in favour of tinex tension to a continuous service, before the Department will he disposed to consider the matter. There are enough stih-criher'. on the exchange to justify the right of continuous service bring applied for. and if the petition were signed in accordance with the regulations no doubt the Department would truant the remiest. Mr McDermutt added that the telephone line between Hokitika and Greymoiith was now being shortened, by the cutting out of the long d-.-tour of about eight miles from Ktnnara via Marsden. The line was being deviaed by a more direct route from Ktimnrn ,to Grey mouth which would he a. concession to those using the telephone.

The report was received, and it was resolved to await the effect. of the non tariff on local subscribers Indore taking any further action. In the course of the discussion on the matter, regret was expressed that the Department’s idea of increasing revenue was to impose increased rates which would tend to decrease the use of the utility—the feeling being that the increased tariff would cause a number of business premises to drop out. The opinion was expressed that instead of a Hat rate of increase in charges over the whole Dominion, the increase should not affect bureaux whore there were less than 2-30 subscribers. The value of the telephone rested on the number of subscribers operating from an exchange. The Doparment should take into ’considera-

tion the distribution of subscribers as between large cities and small towns. It was the smaller districts which needed encouraging. The value of the telephone was much enhanced when it could reach 1000 or more houses, instead of a hundred or two. The rates should he on a progressive basis of population or the number of telephones within tlw circuit. It was decided to make representations along the lines indicated to the Postmaster-General. HOTEL ACCOMMODATION. The Chairman referred to the shortage of hotel acominodation and said there was now a tide flowing in the affairs of the Coast which it behoved them to take- advantage of. It was pointed out that if the opportunity were used aright at this juncture, Hokiika would become the great tourist and motoring centre ol the Coast. Mr Wild said, judging by the volume el traffic at, this juncture, it would be futile to consider promoting an exhibition to bring in linudn'o.s of extra people unless .something practical and su listaiil ial were done in regard to electing a iist-eiass hotel, licensed or unlicensed to eater for the traffic which would be- offering. The matter was discussed from various points, and ultimately the Secretary was instructed to write- and make various enquiries in legat'd to different aspects of the matter. The mteting concluded at B.DO p.m.