PALMERSTON NORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3766, 18 May 1907, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The adjourned meeting of the above Chamber was held Wednesday night. There were present — Messrs J. M. Johnston (President), J. A. Nash, M. Cohen, Tang, Capt. Preece, Harden, L. Sim mons, H. Haydou, R. Essex, H. Cooper. BONDED STORE. The President read details of Customs collected at various New Zealand ports, gathered in connection with the proposal to establish a bonded store here. The approximate estimate of duty that would be collected in Palmerston was ,£32,000 annually. The letter previously received from the late Minister for Customs, the Hon. C. Mills, was also read. It set out the requirements of the Department in connection with the request for the store. Mr Nash said the information now gained was in response to the request of the Department, and it was decided, on his motion, to forward the particulars to the Department together with a request that a bonded store be established here. The Chairman pointed out that he had been informed the amount stated —£ 3 2 ,000 —was under-esti-mated, and it was decided, on Mr Essex’s suggestion, to point this out. The Chairman said the amount was nearer ,£38,000. FLAX GRADING. A circular letter received from the Department of Agriculture with regard to amended regulations as to the grading and export of fibre was referred to the Flaxmillers’ Association for consideration, the Chamber at the same time assisting in the matter. FOXTON SANATORIUM, A letter from the Foxton Chamber asking what people here were most likely to form a company to build a tramway to the Heads was referred to the committee already elected to visit Foxton in connection with river improvements. It was also decided to suggest that the visit in connection with the river improvements be deferred in the meantime. CANAL SERVICE. Following upon the reference to river improvement at Foxton, Mr Cohen suggested the advisability of the Chamber taking into consideration the desirability of a canal between Foxton and Longburn, and perhaps the river at Palmerston. Mr Cohen said the ultimate achievement of the idea was no doubt a question of the dim future, but he thought that coincidently with the improvement and development of the river trade of Foxton went the question of the connection by water carriage of the Palmerston and upper districts with Foxton. , The question was favourably received, and it was decided to defer it in the meantime.