CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 146, 21 August 1919, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Monthly Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Matamata Chamber of Commerce was held on Thursday, Mr J. Buchanan (president) occupying the chair. JUSTICES OF PEACE. An acknowledgement of a communication regarding the necessity for the appointment of additional Justices of the Peace was received from the Hon. W. H. Herries, M.P. The member stated that he understood the inconvenience the dearth of Justices caused and assured the Chamber that three appointments would shortly be gazetted. THE CHAMBER’S DUTIES. Regarding letters forwarded to and received from the town board Mr W. T. Darby, said that the contents had on the Chamber’s part been purely suggestions. It was not the chamber’s intention to even endeavour to dictate but rather to suggest improvements to the town. He thought the explanation necessary owing to the suggestion made that friction was being caused. The chairman concurred with the previous speaker’s remarks. POSTAL MATTERS. On the chairman’s suggestion it was decided that a letter be written asking the postmaster to have a “ mail sorted ” notice over the private boxes in the Matamata post office, also that a light be placed regularly at night in the private box lobby. TELEPHONES. Attention was drawn to the scarcity of telephone instruments at Matamata. Mr Buchanan stated that since the installation of the automatic system in the city a large number of instruments had been released. He thought application should be made for a share of these, so that people requiring connection should have a chance of getting it within a reasonable time. Mr Bottomley suggested that the trouble at present was not so much the shortage of instruments as the lack of wire. It was decided to wait upon the postmaster regarding the matter. It was further resolved that an application be made for an immediate telephone connection with the house of the newly arrived medico, Dr. Muir. Members continued to discuss telephone matters, and decided that the deputation also mention the unsatisfactory conditions recently prevailing. A RESIDENT CONSTABLE. The Minister of Justice, in answer to representations made through the Hon. W. H. Herries, M.P., replied to the latter and stated that it is proposed to appoint a resident constable at Matamata when a residence could be secured either by renting or building, and a constable oan be spared for the purpose. Such constable will be appointed to aot as clerk of the court and bailiff. He was unable at present to give any indication how soon the appointment can be made. The members present guaranteed to secure a house if the department made the appointment. COURTHOUSE. A further letter stated that an amount would be placed upon the Estimates for the erection of a suitable court house. On the president’s motion it was decided to thank the Minister for Justice, and to write to the Hon. W. H. Herries asking him to see that the matter is not overlooked when the Estimates are brought down. PERIA-RICHMOND DOWNS ROAD. Mr H. W. Smales drew the attention to the need for the formation and opening up of the road leading to Peria-Richmond Downs road. He pointed out that the road was now a necessity to the settlers at Richmond Downs and Walton. It was decided to write to both , local bodies on the matter. CROWN SECTIONS. The Chamber resolved that a further letter be forwarded to the Commissioner for Crown Lands asking that the Crown Sections in Matamata be put in the market. WORKERS’ HOMES. The president, Mr E. G. Clarke and Mr C. E. Waite were appointed a committee to gather particulars regarding the Government’s Workers’ Home scheme and to see what land was suitable.