CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5109, 1 April 1927, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEETING OF PAEROA BODY. SEVERAL MATTERS OF INTEREST. A meeting of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce was held in the Coronation Chambers on Wednesday night. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr P. Williams) the vicepresident (Mr H. J. Hare) presided over an attendance af about a dozen members. TELEGRAPH HOURS Letters were received from the Postmaster-General, Mr A. M. Samuel, M.P.. and the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association with reference tp the chamber’s request to have the Paeroa post office open for business between the •hours of 7 and 8 p.m. The Postmaster* General advised that the matter was being looked into, and a furth.er reply would be forwarded in due c ’urse. NIGHT MAIL SERVICE. The chief postmaster, Thames, wrote advising that the request for the carriage c.f a night letter service on the steam car from Frankton Junction to Thames had been granted. It was moved by Mr W. Marshall and seconded by Mr E. W. Porritt, “That this chamber communicate an expression of appreciation to the Te Archa Chamber of Commerce and congratulations on the success attaining its efforts.” It was also resolved to record the chamber’s appreciation of the assistance given bj’ the local postmaster, Mr W. E. Ward. - BENEFIT CONCERT. With reference to a suggestion brought forward at the February meeting of the chamber to arrange, with the co-operation of the Auckland Commercial Travellers’ Association, a concert, the proceeds of which are to be. donated to the Paeroa maternity hospital, this matter was discussed. The secretary (Mr E. A. Porritt) reported that he had interviewed the local theatre proprietor, and a suggestion had been made that the project should be held over until after the new theatre was opened, when, Mr Jennings had signified,' he would assist the cause in any way he could. PAEROA RIVER SERVICE. Mr G. Buchanan said *he thought that the chamber should do all it could to assist the Northern Steam Ship Co. to maintain the passenger trade between Auckland and Paeroa. It was with regret that the company had withdrawn the stewardess on the Taniwha owing to lack of support. The river service meant a great deal to the people of Paeroa and district, and was the cause of the town enjoying a preferential tai iff for the carriage of goods on the railway. Obviously, once the river traffic ceased the Railway Department would increase the freight charges on all goods.

Mr J- W. Silcock expressed Ins pleasure at having the matter -brought forward, and pointed out that the shipping company was facing serious competition owing to the overland facilities which existed. As a consequence the steamer passenger traffic had seriously suffered, despite the fact that the company had made a big reduction in fares. The keeping open of the river trade meant a saving of something like £20,000 a year which saving reacted on the consumer and was a big factor in keeping down the cost of living at Paeroa compared with other inland towns. The company appreciated active comnetitipii, but it was difficult to- understand why the Raiway Department shoftld be opposed to economical transport. The river service was in operation long before the railway, and it was surely worthy of. support. This view was shared by several members, and Mr Buchanan moved that the chamber write to the shipping company and ask for the reinstatement of the stewardess.

Mr Porritt seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously.