CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4755, 24 September 1924, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

81-MONTHLY MEETING. The regular bi-monthly meeting of the Pa>eioa Chamber of Commerce was held in the Coronation Chambers last evening, Mr E. W. Porritt (president) presiding over Messrs W. Marshall. G. H. Taylor, L. E. Cassrels, F. J. Wlells, W. H. Taylor, W. Alp, A. Steedman, A. R. Gorrie, S. J. Hedge, and E. A. Porritt (secretary). CLOSING OF STOP-BANKS. The Minister for Public Works acknowledged the .resolution protesting against the gaps on the left bank of the Ohinemuri River, and replied that inquiries were being made into the matter, and that the’ request for adequate protective measures would receive every consideration. The president remarked that it was the usual stereotyped reply. A Member: “We should come the Avondale tote house stunt on them. (Laughter.) Mr Cassrels moved that a further letter be sent to the Public Works Department urging that protective measures be continued on the right bank of .the Ohinemuri River, and again drawing the attention of the department to the danger that threatened the town in the event of a flood. Seconded by Mr Steedman and carried. 0 EXTRA POLICE. The,. Minister of Justice wrote stating that the matter of extra police protection for Paeroa was receiving careful consideration. USE OF ROOMS. ; Mr W. Bain offered to grant the use of a room for the purpose of holding meetings at his premises in Belmont Road. It was decided to thank Mr Bain for his offer, and that the matter be deferred in the meantime. LOCAL AFFORESTATION. . Mr W. H. Taylor said he considered that the chamber might very well take up the matter of afforestation in the district. The possibilities, he said, were enormous, and instanced the fact that forty-four years ago there were practically no pinus insignia trees between Hamilton and Ts Aroha. and yet during the last few years millions of feet of timber had been sent out of the district and nothing had been planted to replace them. The president said that the 1910 River Commission had recommended that the Waitawheta watershed should be set aside as an afforestation area. Mr Cassrels thought it was a pity tb.at the old-fashioned Arbour Day had been allowed to die down. Mr Marshall said that lie had hoped to raise a small rate sufficient to provide money for the purpose of .planting some of the municipal reserves, but he was afraid that the time was not yet ripe to suggest a rate. After some discussion Mr Taylor suggested that the Forestry Department be approached and asked to send a representative into the district if possible, with a view to ascertaining the suitability of planting certain areas with trees, and to generally create public interest in the project. The matter was referred to a subcommittee to go further into. LIQUOR LICENSES. Mr Cassrels suggested that if the feelings of the majority of the membens were sincere with regard to the question of licenses for Paeroa he would suggest that the matter should be again revived, in view of there being every likelihood of licensing matters being dealt with in the House within the next few weeks. He thought that now was a critical time to move in the matter. The president thought that as the matter was such a contentious one a notice of motion should be placed before the chamber. Mr Cassrels considered that the chamber should send a delegate to give evidence in Wellington before the Select Committee. The president stated that there had been some objection raised previously to using the funds of the chamber for the purpose of defraying the expenses of a delegate. Mr "Marshall rose to a point of order, and asked that a motion be tabled for discussion at a further meeting of the chamber. Mr Cassrels moved that a further letter be sent to the Minister of Justice, couched in similar terms to the one sent previously. Mr Gorrie seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Marshall asked that his vote be recorded against the proposal.