Foxton chamber of Commerce.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3580, 3 October 1905, Page 2

Foxton chamber of Commerce.

The first quarterly general meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce was held in the Masonic Hall last evening, when in the absence of the president, the vice-president (Mr A. Fraser), delivered an address on the results of the first quarter’s work of the Council. The speaker dealt with the subjects of wharf extension, improvements to the sanatorium, conservation of the river banks and channel, assistance to the pilot station, Foxton-Levin mail service, formation of Harbour Board for Foxton, and other matters, which have already been detailed in these columns in our reports of the Council meetings. At the conclusion of the address the-vice-president, at the request of Mr F. W. Frankland, addressed the meeting on the subject of the_ recent deputation to Wellington in connection with the Levin-Greatford railway scheme, and repeated the arguments which had been laid before the Wellington Chamber of Commerce by the members of the deputation. Mr Frankland added to the speaker’s remarks by pointing out that the discussion at the deputation had had the effect ot showing that the South Island succeeded in getting Its requirements in respect to railways and other matters better North, because the tov m !? er ? g ar ‘ tiament there and the dniJWts they represented were more ready to party and political differences for the time being for the general good of the island. In the north jealousy between the different districts was more noticeable and their wants accordingly more ridglMed, On thd proposal of Mr Herston Frankland, secorided by MrHennessy, It was decided to urge ofl the Government the necessity for a better carnage accommodation on the Foxtorl-PBl* Inerston line. On the proposal of Mr F. W. Franklaild, seconded by Mr A. Speirs,it was decided to continue pressing for a return of the receipts and expenditure of the Foxton wharf. On the proposal of Mr G. H. Stiles, seconded by Mr H. Frankland, it was decided that the question of a verandah for the Foxton Railway Station be dealt with by the Council and also brought before the parliamentary candidates, . On the proposal m Mr Fj W. Frankland, seconded by Mr A. Speirs, it was decided that six of the local requirements which had been advocated by the Chamber of Commerce, namely—The question of a Harbour Board, extension of the wharf, improvements to the channel and conservation of the banks of the river, the Heads railway scheme, the Shannon' Bridge, and improvements to the sanatorium —should be placed by the Chamber before the candidates lor the Manawatu seat at the conclusion of their Foxton addresses, and that they should be asked whether they would give them their support. It was pointed out that as the Council had about 56 members it possessed a considerable voting _ power, which could be used in this way for the benefit of the district.

On a query from Mr Clemett as to how the questions would be submitted, the chairman said they would take the form of a list of written questions to be presented by the Chamber through the president, vice-president, or secretary. At the conclusion of the meeting the vice-president said that the importance of the Chamber and the good it could do must depend on the support it got from, its members. The members of the Council could not do much unless backed up by the Chamber. All should endeavour to increase the membership of the Chamber and thus engender a widespread support. The members were not working tor their ■ own individual interests, but were endea vouring with the aid of their colleagues on the council to further the interests of the district as a whole, and to make the township and its surroundings more prosperous; and the greater the amount of outside assistance obtained, the more could be achieved.