CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4836, 29 May 1925, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

—«— 1 . j PAEROA BODY’S ANNUAL MEETING REPORT OF COMMITTEE. At the annual meeting of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday evening the executive com : mittee furnished the following report: “■Your Committee reports that during the past year the Chamber has met on six occasions, and in addition to many minor matters has dealt with a number of matters of importance to Paeroa and the surrounding district, among which may be mentioned : An attempt to obtain an improved quality of gas, and a discontinuance of the meter rental charge, flood protection work to the town of t Paeroa; additional police protection , licensing; improved train services to Auckland; Paeroa loan proposals ; non-coiMsumers’ rate under the Electric Power Board’s Act; Hauraki Plains roads. During the year it was brought to the notice of your Chamber that the quality of gas supplied, to consumers in Paeroa was very poor. It was also stated that the meter rental charge was the cause of much dissatisfaction. ’ As a result a sub-committee was set up which met the general manager of the gas company. The manager stated that the affairs of the company were such that no money could be spent upon the plant (which was then in a bad state) to thereby improve quality of the gas, and, further, that the finances of the company were such that it could not afford to discontinue the meter rental charge. It is regretted that no very satisfactory results were obtained at the conference with the manager, but, as you are aware, the company is now in liqiudation and the supply of gas has ceased.

“iCwing to the closing of the gaps in the stop-bank on the left side of the Ohinemuri River your Chamber realised that the town of Paeroa would be in an extremely dangerous position in the event bf floods. Youi Chamber therefore urged the Minister for Public Works to immediately steps to adequately protect the t<\wn, and strongly supported the representations made by the Borough Council upon the matter. The additional weight of your Chamber’s support no doubt materially assisted in having the matter deal.t with by the Public Works Department. “During the year a request was

made by the Te Arolia Chamber of Commerce to support their proposal f to the Minister for Railways in asking for the speeding up of the 5.40 p.m. train and the running of this fain through to Auckland. Your Chamber considered the matter, and the president attended a conference of

chambers of commerce and others ' interested at Te Aroha, and the views ■of this Chamber were put forward, namely, that so far ais Paeroa is concerned support would be given to the Te Arbha Chamber of Commerce, subject, however, to the fact that no effort would be made to press for the proposal, if the- Railway Department considered the cost too heavy in comparison with, the benefits to be obtained. At the conference the importance of the river steamer service to the surrounding districts, as well as to Paeroa, was stressed, with the result that the confernece unanimously supported the retention of the river service when putting forward its proposals for a new time-table. At a subsequent meeting of the con-

ference with the business manager of the Railway Dpartment it was stated that a new and improved service would shortly be inaugurated. r “During the year the Paeroa Borough Council put forward certain loan proposals for the consideration of ratepayers. His Worship the Mayor attended, a meeting of this Chamber and addressed the meeting on the subject of the loan proposals, explaining the reasons underlying the council’s intention to place the proposals before the ratepayers and the method of repayment of the loans. After due consideration your Chamber undertook to support all of the proposals. At a (subsequent poll of the ratepayers two of the proposals were carried, and one—the gasworks loan —wajs deThe two that were carried

will be of material benefit to the town without imposing any additional burden on the ratepayers. “The questionof the non-cpnsumers’ rate was discussed by your Chamber, and it-was considered that the levying of the £1 minimum rate on the separate sub-divisionjs occupied as one holding was contrary to the siprit of section 4, and particularly sub-sec-tions 3 and 4 of this section, of the Electric Power Boards Amendment Act, 1923. A strong protest was made to the Thames Valley El.ectric Power Board, and the Chambers of Commerce at Ngatea, Morrinsville, Matamata, the Turua Town Board, and the Paeroa Borough Council were asked to co-operate with this chamber in protesting against the levying of this rate. On representations being ms, made to the Power Board it was admitted that the Chamber's view was a correct one. Your Chamber also rep quested His Worship the Mayor to call, a public meeting to discuss the operations of this rate as affecting Paeroa. This meeting was called, and was largely attended by the ratepayers. It is to be regretted that ap, yet no replies have been received from the other parties asked to assist, but your committee is of opinion that during the coming year an amendment will, be made, reducing the liability of ratepayers and putting the matter on a more satisfactory footing. “In order ..to make our town brighter and more attractive to visitors, and in ordre to improve the prestige

of our town in the eyes of outsiders,

your committee arranged with the «»**' Hauraki Regimental Band at Thames to give an evening programme in the band rotunda at Paeroa on the Friday evening during the local race meeting fixture. The generous response for assistance enabled this to be done without trenching on the funds of the chamber. It is pleasing to note that the evening was successful, and