CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4415, 17 May 1922, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

.. INTERESTING MEETINGS. ANNUAL AND GENERAL. There was a record attendance at the annual meeting af the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce last evening, the Pr esident (Mr E. W. Porritt) being in 'tire chair. The general meeting preceded the annual one, and ordinary business was disposed csf, as reported below: TELEPHONE MATTERS. Referring Jo complaints of delay in answering ’phone calls, Mr Porritt said lie had interviewed Miss Skully, supervisor of Telephone Exchanges, and she had informed him that the Paeroa exchange -had been working under very disadvantageous conditions, but that improvements were to be effected shortly which would result in an improved service. BUILDING SOCIETY. The President reported that Mr T. Millar, of Auckland Building Society, who had hqd a lengthy experience of building societies, had promised to come to Paeroa and address a meering. Mr Millar was one of the Society’s valuation committee members. Mr W. Marshall proposed that the matter stand adjourned until Mr Millar could attend. —Carried.) POST OFFICE HOURS. Mr E. Edwards brought up tjie matter of advocating that the Paeroa post office be again opened from 7 p.m. till 8 every evening. Mr W. H. Taylor recalled that the Minister (Hon. J. G., Coates) had asked the Mayor (Mr P, E, Brenan) to furnish a statement of the business done during 7 and 8 p.m. for the year. Mr Edwards said the Minister had ascertained that the average of telegrams at Paeroa -for the year, during 7 and 8 was only 1% per night. Mr W. Marshall thought the information should first be secured from the Mayor. Mr L. E. Cassrels held that it was not possible to state what, the future volume of business would be- —Decided to get the detailed information.. Mr Edwards also referred' to the delivery of’ letters over the counter, and it was decided to ask for . this service also. It was stated tfhat hitherto letters were delivered over the counter by the courtesy of the officer attending. COUNTER SERVICE. The Rev. W. J. Enticott referred to the afet that. there was usually only one man attending the counter, thus ■ causing much delay. The meeting decided to lodge a complaint under this head. MORE TIME WANTED. Mr W. Marshall pointed out that the Auckland mail closed at 4.30 p.m., and yet the train did no" le.a,ve until 5.40 p.m. - It was resolved to apprbacn the postmaster, requesting that the time for receiving letters, registered letters, and parcels be extended. YOUNG CITIZENS’ LEAGUE. Mi’ R. Whitten said he understood that a movement was on foot to establish a branch of the Young Citizens’ League. He thought the Chamber’s moral support should be given. Mr L E. Cassrels seconded. . AUCKLAND REPRESENTATION. Mr L. E. Cassrels explained that his desire in regard to representation on the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was that; the Auckland body might be of assistance in flghtnig for river navigation,, as htere was a great deal of waterborne trade between this district and Auckland.

The. above concluded the general meeting, and the annual meeting immediately proceeded. THE ANNUAL MEETING. NOTICE OF NOMINATIONS. RULES TO BE AMENDED. The expectation of a little “diversion” drew a record attendance to the annual meeting of the P.aeroa Chamber of Commerce last evening, the President (Mr E. W. Porritt) being in the chair. . THE NOMINATIONS. In the annual report the following paragraph appeared in reference to ■-he n'.minations: “For the offices of President and Vice-president one homniation has been received for each'; for the four vacancies on the Executive Committee only one nomination has been received, leaving three vacancies to be filled. Under the rules the Executive Committee has power to fill these vacancies, but it is suggested djhat the vacancies be filled at the .annual meeting, and the three chosen he, then appointed by the Executive Committee.” Air W. Marshall, after congratulating the committee on its lucid and comprehensive report, took exception ■to the filling of vacancies before the annual meeting. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Porritt reported that he was the only one nominated for the presidency. Mr D. Leach paid a tribute to Mr Porritt for the great ability he had displayed in Chamber affairs. He had also lost a lot of valuable time in the work. The vast experience Mr Porritt had 'had in all matters in the district had been of great value to the executive. In the pasi no other person had been found willing to undertake the duties of president. Returning thanks, Mr Porritt said he had been 12 years president, and would have been rather glad to have been relieved, but there were no other nominations. (Applause.)

For the vice-presidency Mr D. Leach was the only one nominated, and was duly declared elected.

Mr Leach said that in previous years the elections had not. been conducted according to the rules, but this year the rules had been adhered to. But he was prepared to resign and contest the election with any other nominee, if iljhe issue was made one of policy of the Chamber. Mr J. T. Brown was the only, nominee for the executive committee, and was therefore elected, Mr Porritt called for nominations for the three vacancies.

THE FUN BEGINS. Mr W. Marshall said ’it was not

legal to fill the vacancies except Jjy , nominations in writing. . - Messrs Geo. Buchanan,, the Rev. F. McDonald, R. Whitten, and J. Munrowere the members who had not re-, tired. - “LEARNED LEGAL ARGUMENT.’’ A good deal of more or less, “legal’’ argument took place in regard to conditions of nominations. It was pointed out that the whole executive was illegally elected las£ year; Mr J. T. Brown thought a body of intelligent men ought to be able to waive a rule to go on with the business. Mr Cassrels pointed out that the present executive members could act as the executive, without additions. The executive must be not less than four and not more than eight. Mr A. White -suggested that three members be appointed as acting-mem-bers ; also, that the rules be altered to allow th.e appointment of acting members. It often happened that people forgot the nominations until too late. The Rev. W. J. Enticott said, the Beautifying Society gave J. 5 days’ notice that nominations were due, and that the nominations close 7 days before the annual meeting. He supported Mr White’s suggestion. Mr Porritt agreed.The Rev. Enticott moved further that the rules be' altered so that the annual meeting have power to fill vacancies where geminations had not been received. PERIOD OF PRESIDENCY. ' Mr Cassrels thought the position of president should “go round,” as was the rule in many organisations. A change helped on organisations. A great deal of trouble was caused by lack cf change. Mir. Leach said that if such a rule, had been in force during the lair seven years there would not have been any president. Mr Porritt s.aid the term of. two years acted'very well with the Hauraki A. and P. Association. Mr McLean moved and Mr W. H. Taylor seconded, a motion that the vacancies be filled by the present executive. ; Mr G. P.. de Castro suggested that the vacancies be filled at next monthly meeting, when the rules would probably be altered. Mr Porritt pointed out that the alteration could not be m.ade retrospec-” tive, to apply to the present annualmeeting. Mr E. Edwards said the present annual meeting could be adjourned, and therefore the difficulties of the present meeting could be solved. : Mr Buchanan supported. LAW VERSUS EXPEDIENCY. Mr Porritt thought the question cf. legalitl should be dropped. (Hear, hear!) Mr White pointed out that, this was, establishing a precedent. Mr Porritt replied that the Rev. < Enticott’s notice -of motion would “ ■solve the point. It was then resolved that the execu-. tive be increased to eight. Mr Porritt proposed Mr W. Ma l '- j shall: Mr J. T. Brown proposed Mr W. F. Johnstone; Mr R. Whitten proposed Mr P. E. Brenan. Messrs D. Brown and E. Edwards declined nomination. There being no other nominations, the aforesaid persons, Messrs Brepan, ' Marshall and Johnstone were duly elected—legally or illegally—and no one seemed to care a rap so long as - all the pother was got rid of. Auditor.—Mr A. Steedman, re-elect-ed. GENERAL ITEMS. Mr W. J. Byrne thought the meeting night should be later in the week. Mr Porritt pointed put that the matter had been well threshed put on ceveial and. Tuesdaw had been found, the best. - The president expressed appreciation of the greater interest be.ing taken in the affairs of the Chamber, and hoped that ' future meetings would be well attended. Mr. W. Marshall urged that mem- < bers should pay , up subscriptions promptly. • , Messrs Buchanan and Leacix proposed ■?. vote off thanks to Mr Steedman.—Acclamation. Mr Edwards proposed a vote of appreciation of the- good work the executive had done. Even thoughJhere had been disagreement, nevertheless the executive members had done .their level best to further the interests of the town. Mr McLean thought town-planning was a subject that ought to be gone into. Many of the back streets had to be approached by a roundabout way from the main street. ■ — The president supported, as did, also Mr Whitten. Mr Porritt said the Chamber, the Beautifying Society, and the Borough Council could collaborate. The president added that the work of! the executive had been a labour of love, and he hoped that all members would work together for the coming year in the interests of the town. The meeting concluded in good humour, each one seeming \to have enjoyed the wordy “sparring.”