CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4564, 16 May 1923, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Paeroa i Chamber of Commerce was held last ( night, when (lie following were pre- ; sent: The President (Mr E. W. Por rit-t), vice-President (Mr D. Leach), and Messrs B. F. J. Wells, E. A. Porritt, L. E. Ca.-srels, G. Buchanan, W. Marshall. W. D. Nicholas, G. S. Taiboys, ,W. Robson, A. Steedman, P. E. Brenan, E. Edwards, G. P. de Castro, and T. P. Vuglar. An apology was receded for absence from the secretary, Mr L Couper. ANNUAL REPORT. The following report was then read:— “ In presenting the fifteenth annual report your Committee desires to express its disappointment at the lack of active interest by the majority of business people in matters pertaining to the welfare a,nd advancement of the town andkdistrict. The efforts of the Chamber have not received the support that, should be accorded by those who receive the most direct benefits from the labours and activities of this Chamber. The past year opened with every indication of an active interest being taken, and an increased attendance at the monthly meetings, but after the first two meetings interest and attendance fell away, leaving it to the few to still carry on.

The financial statement, discloses the unsatisfactory position that a considerable amount due for subsciiptions (which sum the Committee relied upon for the purpose of enabling it to meet the financial obligations) has ha,d to be written off as bad, and the incoming committee is faced with having to commence the present year with a- considerable substantial liability to be cleared off. This Chamber is in the same position as any othei organisation or business; it cannot be carried on without, adequate finance, and„ therefore, in order to continue any effective work, a greatei support must be accorded by the business community, who-share the benefits equally with those who are members and pay . their annual subscription.

During the year ten monthly meetings were held. The December meeting lapsed for want of a quorum, and .no' meeting was held in January. During the year two new members were elected and two members resigned on account of leaving the district.

In July a sub-committee, consisting of Messi’s Marshall and Edwards, was set up to inaugurate community singing. That committee is to be congratulated on the result of its efforts that not. only provided several enjoyable evenings, which .were much appreciated 1 by the large attendances, but also resulted in the substantial sum of £54 5s 8d being subscribed through the collections. After payment of the expenses, amounting L> £2B 12s, the balance was allocated te the Beautifying Society (£2l 3s 2d) and to the Fire Brigade (£4 10s 6d). Several persons .have requested that community singing be carried an again this year.

The matter of the proposed Building Society lapsed, a,s your Committee could not fl nd that sufficient, funds would be forthcoming. The Te Arohu Building Society desired to extend its operations to this district, and :t was resolved that this’Chamber would place no objection in the way of it so doing.

Of other subjects dealt, with during the year the principal ones were: Railway matters, reduction of postages, telegraph and telephone services and hours, Thames Harbour Board works, fruit growing, merchant’s discount dates, assistance to prospecting and mining, supplies of mining timber, water supply and fire prevention. / .

At, the June meeting the rules were amended to permit nominations for the officers and executive committee to be made. at the annual meeting. Messrs G. Buchanan, J. Munro, and 11. WUtten retire under Rule 22, and are eligible for re-election. The Rev. F. McDonald resigned from the 'committee on leaving the district, and th? vacancy was not filled up. There are, therefpre, four vacancies on the committee to be filled at this meeting. The Chamben acknowledges with thanks the financial support given by the business people and public towards the expenses nf contesting t,he recent Thames Harbour loan proposals.

Tn conclusion, your Committee desires to record its thanks to Mr A. Steedman for his services as honorary auditor, and to the-“Hauraki Plains Gazette" for the full manner in which it has reported the proceedings of the Chamber.”

The balance-sheet showed that th? Chamber was in a particularly iinfinancial way, having liabilities totalling £32. 4s Id in excess of its assets, fcnludcd (p this amount were sums of money that should have been paid over immediately they were received-

Tn moving the’adoption of the report. and balance-sheet the president said that the whole cause of the trouble was that the true position had not been disclosed by the secretary last year.

Mr Marshall said that, as a member of the executive, he felt the position keenly. In order to try and straighten out matters he had spent a good deal of time. He thought that the bad and doubtful debts should be written off and the position put to the business, and particularly the retail,, men and see if they want the chamber. He considered that it was a reproach to the town. The Chamber was badly insolvent.

After a good deal of outspoken com; ments had been passed on the apparently lax way the financial affairs of the Chamber had been conducted the meeting went into committee. Upon resuming, the president reported that the sum of £lB 15s 6d had been donated in the room, and later Messrs Brenan, de Castro, and the new secretary were appointed a special committee.to collect the outstanding subscriptions and further donations and thus put the Chamber in a healthy financial position.

The report and balance-sheet, was then adppted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was as follows :— President, Mr E. W. Porritt; vicepresident, Mr P. E. Brenan ; committee. Messrs G. P. de Castro, G. Buchanan, F. J. Wells, E. Edwards, D. Leach. W. Marshall, W. F. Johnstone, and j. T. Brown; auditor, Mr A. Steedman. MEETINGS. The president thought that it was advisable to consider the matter of hokling meetings. Hitherto monthlj meetings had been held, but he thought that with a strong executive possibly fewer meetings could be held. Some chambers held quarterly meetings, and left the executive power to deal with any matters cropping up meantime. Mr Marshall moved that, meetings be held bi-monthly. This was seconded by Mr A. Steedman and carried. RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY. Mr P. E. Brenan moved that Mr Conper’s resignation be accepted, and that the Chamber record its appreciation of his services. Seconded by Mr D. Leach and cairied. On Mr do Castro’s motion Mr E. APorritt was elected secretary. VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Taiboys for donation of free lighting, Mr Steedman for auditing the books, the “Hauraki Plains Gazette” for reports, and Mr Cassrels, the Borough Council and County Council for the use of rooms for meetings. PLACE OF MEETINGS. On Mr G. Buchanan’s motion, seconded l>y Mr A. Steedman, it was resolved that arrangements be made with the Ohinemuri County Council to hold regular bi-monthly meetings in the Coronation Chambers. GENERAL MEETING. A general meeting was held imme-, diately after the annual meeting. NEW MEMBERS. On the motion of the chairman it was resolved that nominations for membership be in writing. SUNDAY TELEPHONE. Mr W. D. Nicholas moved that the Chamber request the Postal authorities to have the Paeroa telephone exchange open for one hour on Sunday mornings and evenings. Mr Marshall seconded the proposal which was carried. CONGRATULATIONS. At the conclusion of the meeting the president (Mr E. W. Porritt) congratulated Mr Marshall on his election to the Mayoralty of Paeroa. In doing so he said that the relationship between the Chamber and Borough had' always been a happy one, and he was pleased tp place on record the Chamber’s appreciation of the heip that had .been extended to it by ihe on going Mayor. Mr Marshall, in returning thanks, said that he appreciated the congratulations from the Chamber- very much indeed. He realised that while the local body had special powers it could never take the place of .-'he Chamber of Commerce. He looked to the Chamber for help and advice, and he felt sure that with co-opera-tion much could be done for the progress of the town. i Mr Brenan, in thanking the presi- | dent for his expressions, said that, it was pleasing to record the that liad always been extended by the Chamber. He was personally indebted to the president, for assistance an 1 advice during his term as Mayor,, and he took this opportunity of thanking him.