CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4728, 23 July 1924, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

-e 81-MONTHLY MEETING. r The bi monthly meeting of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce was held in the Coronation Chambers last evening, Mr W. Marshall presiding over the following: Messrs D. Leach, J. W. Silcock, A. R. Gorrie, B. Stansfield, F. J. Wells, D. Brown, W. McCullay, A. Farrar, E. V. Slyfield, G. P, de Castro, and E. A. Porritt (secretary). . Apologies for absence were accepted on behalf of Mr E. W. Porritt, president, and Mr P. E. Brenan, vicepresident, QUALITY OF GAS. The secretary reported that the subcommittee appointed to go into the matter of the gas supply in Paeroa had met the managing director of the Ohinemuri Light and Power Co. in Paeroa on July 1, when the poor quality of the gas supplied had been put before him. Mr Aitkenson assured the deputation that he had never received any complaints, and he could not understand why the quality had been poor at that time. The matter would be looked into, but the company was not prepared to extend itself a great deal in the matter. The past year’s operations had not been satisfactory to the company, and in view of the competition with the power board the company was not in a position to spread itself in any way. In any case, the supply and consumption of gas would probably be governed by regulations under the Board of Trade in the future. THE METER RENTAL. Reply to the deputation’s objection to the meter rental, Mr Aitkenspn said that his company could not see its way to lift the charges. Circulars had been sent to all consumers notifying them that the company proposed levying the meter rental, and no objections had been received at that time. If the company was forced to withdraw the meter rentals it would have to increase the pride of gas oi be forced into liquidation. In reply to Mr de Castro Mr Aitkenson had said that his company was not prepared to split the difference and charge only ninepence per meter. The report waq received, a member remarking that it looked like a case for tin Old Men’s Home. ADVERTISING THE DISTRICT. A circular was received from an Auckland firm soliciting an advertisement for insertion in the 1924 issue of the Christmas number of a weekly paper After some discussion it was deciib ed that owing to lack of funds the chamber could not accede to the request. NEW POST OFFICE. Mr Leach referred to the building of the new post office in Paeroa, and suggested that might be made to the department asking that Paeroa be created a chief post office, thus saving the expense of having the alteration made later on. In reply the chairman said that he was familiar with the conditions of the proposed new post office, and in his judgment it would be a very unwise step on the part of the chamber to make the suggestions outlined to the department, as by so doing further delay in the erection of the building would result. He favoured the idea of leaving the matter in abeyance until isiich time as the town and district grew and warranted the change. The new post office would have three fronts ges, and would lend itself admirably to any structural alterations. Mr Silcock endorsed the remarks uf the chairman, and said he considered etbat the town was fortunate in getting a building such as the department proposed to erect. He was not in favour of Mr Leach’s suggestion at the present time, and deprecated any move that would hamper the erection of the building. OHINEMURI STOP-BANKS. The secretary inquired if the cham - ber ii tended to make any move towards assisting the Hauraki Plains settlers in their endeavours to get adequate protection from, floods. The chairman said that the chamber was willing to lend any assistance it could.

Mr Leach said that he thought it was oangerous for the chamber pr settlers to interfere with the department's engineers, or to in any way question their outlook on flood protective measures. He wajs of the opinion that undue interference by laymen was not in the interests of the scheme. The chairman referred to the menace that was threatening Paeroa by the closing of the gaps in the stopbanks on the Ohinemuri River. He said that matters could not be remedied until the bridges were raised sufficiently to allow of the banks being built up. The railway bridge could not be raised until the new station yard was completed. The local office of the Public Works Department had admitted the small margin of safety that was left to save the town from Hooding, The Borough Council had made urgent representations to the department, and a reply was now awaited. The member for the district had a-so placed the seriousness of the position before the authorities in Wellington. Tn answer to Mr Farrar the chairman said that as soon as the gaps, which had acted as a natural spillway during the recent floods, were closed there would then only remain a niaigin of about one inch of safety. Once the gaps were closed it was improbable that they would be opened again. Aftei discussion Mr Leach moved: “That this chamber draws the attention of the Minister for Public Works to the serious menace to Paeroa owing to the stop-banks being higher bn the left bank and the gaps being closed rapidly, and that there appears no immediate prospect of adequately protecting the town from flood waters. That this meeting protests at the closing of the gaps on the left bank of the 01 inemurl river, and urges the expedition of protective measures.” ‘Sect nded by Mr Gorrie and carried. EXTRA POLICE PROTECTION. Mr Stansfield moved: "That in view of the recent burglaries in Paeroa the

Hon. Minister for Justice be aisked to earnestly reconsider his decision, and that an extra constable be stationed in Paeroa.” Seconded by Mr McCullay and carried. NEED FOR A BATTERY. Mr Leach again introduced the subj:ct of the erection of a public crushing battery at Karangahake, and instanced cases were miners and others were handicapped in their mining operations through lack iof facilities for getting their orc treated. He stated that a number of., reefs could be worked to advantage with a crushing pfant available. Any revival in mining must be beneficial to Paeroa, as well as providing employment for a nuu-ber of men. As the" Talisman battery was at present being dismanfed, he was of the opinion that the machinery could be purchased very cheaply and could be re-erected at Karangahake. He moved that the * chamber meet those interested in the project at Karangahake for the purpose of discussing matters, with a view to bringing pressure to bear on the Government.—Carried. It wag also decided to invite the Minister for Mines and Mr H. Poland, M P.. to attend the meeting and obtain first-hand information from the miners themselves. The arranging of the date of the meeting was left in the hands of the mover and secretary. REPAIRS TO ROAD. The Hauraki Plains County Council wrote in reply to the chamber’s request that steps should be taken to repair the road leading from Carter s Chrner northward on the Plains, stating that the work had already been taken in hand and would be carried out as funds permitted. NEW MEMBER. Mr J. B. Morris, senr., Karangahake, was elected a member of the chamber.