TE KUITI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 537, 29 January 1913, Page 5

TE KUITI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

notice of the meeting. Seconded by Mr Boddie and carried. A communication was received from the Hon. W. H. Herries to the effect that he would accept the invitation to visit Te Kuiti at an early a date as

The annual general meeting of the above Chamber of Commerce was held in the Waitomo County office on Monday evening last. Mr E. H. Hardy (President) presided over a fair attendance. The secretary (Mr Mostyn Jones read his annual report which was as follows: — Your committee have to report as follows on matters in which they have taken action:—An extra 'phone wire has been laid between Hamilton and Te Kuiti, but this wantß extending to Te Kuiti, when Te Kuiti would become the centre for Taumarunui, Te Awamutu, Obura and other outlying portions of the District. A post box has been placed at railway station. The delivery of letters has been extended. A telegraph messenger now attends on platform on arrival of every through train. The question of freeholding the town, with the consent of the Maori owners, has been attacked and the freehold is still being fought for. A clerk of the court as been appointed. As regards the roading of the district little success can be reported, although slight success has attended the Chamber's efforts in regard to the Waimiha-Tangitu road. The appointment of coroner has been asked for, but so far no result. In response to representations as to the advantages of a through Trunk Railway from Napier to Kawhia, a trial survey of a rail route from Kawhia to Main Trunk Line has been promised. Government has been approached with regard to boring for coal in the Te Kuiti valley, and in view of Geologist's opinions, this should not be allowed to drop. The chamber has made application to join the Association of Chambers of Commerce. A four-ton crane is to be erected at the Te Kuiti railway station. Your Committee considers that the question of representation at the forthcoming exhibition in Auckland requires the Chamber's attention. Mr M. J. Jones, treasurer, presented the annual balance sheet which showed a credit balance of £8 lis 2d. Both report and balance sheet were adopted. The chairman eulogised the excellent work done by the treasurer and Secretary. During discussion on matters contained in the report Major Lusk referred to the matter of obtaining the freehold of native leaaeß. He considered that every lessee Bhould have the right to convert his leasehold into freehold, he considered that the Government should attend to this matter and moved that. "This Chamber urge the Government to bring for ward enactments wh*>rby the obtaining of the freehold be made more easy, and that the present system of acquiring rural lands b« also applied to obtaining native township leases. Seconded by Mr Hardy and carried. It was resolved that the County Council and the Borough Council be asked to move on the same lines.

possible. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the County Council for the use of their room.

The election of officerß resulted as follows: —President, Mr Mostyn Joneß; Vice-President, Major Lusk; Committee, Messrs J. R. Graham, J. Walsh, J. Boddie, R. M. Someiville, and N. C. Matthew; Secretary, Mr J. Steel; Treasurer, Mr M. 3. Jones. The President gave notice of motion as follows:—That the Secretary and Treasurer be ex-officio members oE the committee.

Proposed by Mr N. B. Lusk, seconded by Mr Somerville, "That the Chamber approach the Government with the object of getting a portion of the Crown land now being surveyed at Rangitoto, set aside as an endowment for the Borough of Te Kuiti.—Carried.

Moved by Mesar3 Boddie and Hardy "That in the opinion of this Chamber the time has arrived when steps should be taken to receive a reduction in the fire insurance rates and that the secretary of the Underwriters Association be written to asking that the Borough Council be respectfully requested to arrange that the Borough Fire Brigade give a demonstration when necessary, so as to prove the efficiency of the Borough water supply.—Carried. Mr Boddie referred to the natter of representation at the forthcoming Auckland Exhibition. He thought the King Country as a whole should be represented. Major Luek agreed and thought there should be a King Coun try court and was convinced that it could be made very interesting and representative one. He moved "That the Chamber of Commerce communicate with local bodies throughout the King Country and that a sub-com- | mittee consisting of Messrs Boddie, M. J. Jones and Major Lusk, be appointed to draft a scheme, such scheme to be forwarded to all local oodies and that suggestions and their co-operation be asked for. The Chairman proposed that in view of Major Lusk attending the meeting of the Back Blocks Association, he be asked to bring the matter of representation at the exhibition under the