CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5089, 16 February 1927, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF PAEROA BODY.

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. A meeting of ’the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce was held at the Coronation Chambers last night, the president (Mr P. Williams) presiding over an attendance of 16 members. BUS FARES TO PLAINS. The question of the high fares being charged on the Plains service was discsssed at length. Mr L. E. Cassrels said that a serious position existed. It was Of little use building new business premises and Paeroa to go ahead with the assistance and patronage of the settlers on the Plains. The present was an opportune time to make an endeavour to feature Paeroa as a shopping centre for the majority of the Plains settlers. If the settiers got into a habit of shopping at Paeroa half the battle would be won, but once the Hauraki Bridge was completed the trade would drift to Thames and Paeroa woud have small chance of getting much of it. The fares were unquestionably too high at tne present time. The main reason why the. Pae-roa-Waihi service had grown and was popular was on account, of the reasonableness of the bus fares. An effort should be made to. have the. Plains service fares reduced. A member pointed out that a service car was now plying between the Plains and Auckland, and the fare was only 15s single. The service was well patronised. A new service had commenced between Paeroa and Thames, the return fare being 7s 6d. Mr W. Marshall pointed out that the kcal firm also had a mail -contract to assist ‘he service.

Mr Cassrels said that, the tipae had come when definite action in- the direction of reducing the fares should be taken. If necessary a canvass off the town should be made with a view to subsidising the service. The roads were improving in condition, and it should be possible to reduce th® fares considerably. There were very few Plaips people who were making Paeroa. their ’shopping centre.

The president said that tee township of Ngatea was growing steadily, and was now largely supporting itself. On the motion of Mr Marshall, seconded by Mr E. W. Porritt, it was resolved to request the executive to give the matter urgent consideration.

PAEROA HOSPITAL. Mr Cassrels said .that, the Commercial Travellers’ Association had been in the habit of organising concerts for district hospitals. Several members had signified, their willingness to arrange a conrert in aid of functei for the proposed hospital at Paeroa. If Paeroa showed that it was willing to raise further funds it might be conducive to getting the Thames Hospital .Board to make a definite move towards the erection of the. building. Mr Marshall said that there were difficulties in the way of Paeroa’s hospital, but they were not insurmountable. Anything done, to further the project might well be taken up. The concert could be held, say,, at the opening of theatre and the 'funds handeoto the Thames Board as a donation towards .the first year’s maintenance charges of the hospital. He strongly favoured the suggestion. The capital fund was already provided for, but, the proceeds of a concert would no doubt be acceptable. Mr Cassrels moved on the lines suggested by Mr Marshall. Mr Edwards thought that it was hardly fair to expect the proprietors to give the. theatre free. Mr Cassrels said it was not expected that, the theatre would be obained Tree of cost. The executive committee was authorised to take steps to further the proposal. AUCKLAND MAIL SERVICE. The president introduced the subject of Auckland mails, and explained that the Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce was moving in the matter. It was 'suggested that the representations should be made to have .the Auckland mails which reach Frankton Junction at night, time conveyed to Paeroa by the steam train service. If that could be arranged it would mean that Paeroa business men would receive their Auckland mail at 9 o’clock in the morning, instead of at 11.30 a.ni. or noon each day. The convenience would be much appreciated. He understood that the Te Aroha people had offered to contribute towards the extra cost entailed if the service was given effect to.

Mr Marshall admitted that it would be a great convenience to receive letters posted at Auckland at 5 p.m. in - Paeroa at 9 o’clock next morning but he did not think the step was warranted. The project was a bigger one than it appeared on the surface, and he did not, see how the department, could look favourably on it. It was generally agreed by mem- z bers that the service would be a convenience, but in view of the heavy expenditure entailed and the difficulties’ to be con-ended with it was agreed to’ take no action at present. PLAINS WATER SUPPLY. Mi- D. Leach brought forward the* Question of a water supply on the Hauraki Plains. He reminded members -hat some time ago the chamber had interested itself in the matter,, but, nothing definite had resulted. In his opinion the present small water supply schemes which were being undertaken on the Plains were doomed to failure, even though large sums of money were being expended. Realising the asset the Plains were to tt l ® business welfare of Paeroa, it migh’M be advisable to reopen the matter and assist the settlers. A scheme had been put forward by the Public Works Department, to carry water from th® Waitawhet.a stream, but for some reason or other nothing had come of it. The Hauraki Plains County Council was primarily to blame in the first instance for its lack of vision. When the chamber had placed the matter’ before the council on a previous occasion it had replied that itj had an ade-. Quate water supply for the The president said he thought the matter scarcely came within th®";’ snipe of the chamber. No action was taken ip the matter.||