FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3769, 10 August 1907, Page 3

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The President’s Address. In his opening remarks at Thursday night’s meeting of the above Mr G. W. Morgan, President. stated that the Council had not received a satisfactory reply from the Railway Department re the extra trains to Palmerston N He alluded to the burning of the trees at the Sanatorium, and stated that the Marine Department were investigating the matter, and intended taking steps to have the Sanatorium protected. He also remarked on the few members hat attended the general meetings, stating that two constructions could be put on it, viz., that the members did not think it worth while to attend the general meet-, ings, or, it may be, that they were so well satisfied with the work being done by the Chamber, that they thought it advisable to leave it to the few members who were working. The Chamber intended forming a party to visit the Heads and plant maram grass there, and at one meeting a tramway to the Heads had been suggested. The Council wrote to the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce to ask if they knew of likely persons to form a company for the purpose of building this line, and in their reply the former body said the matter would be considered. Another matter the Council had dealt with was the advisability of getting the poultry expert from Wellington to deliver a lecture on poultry-raising, and a letter had been received from Mr Hyde, stating that he would endeavour to come at an early date. The hope was expressed that there would be a good muster of the people to hear the expert’s views. The Vice-President and himself had written a long letter to the member for the district (Mr John Stevens), regarding the present state of the river. Mr Stevens replied that he had forwarded the letter to the Minister of Marine, with a covering letter. Mr Frankland and himself had waited on the Ministers of Marine and Lands re river matters, but had not got much satisfaction. The President pointed out the bad state of the river at the present time, boats only being able to get up with 150 tons of coal, which meant 100 tons less than previously. If something was not done to the river the freight would have to be raised. Mr Morgan had been informed that a conference of Chambers of Commerce was going to.be held in Wellington, and he hoped that the local Chamber would be represented. The Palmerston North people were making efforts to get a customs house there, and he would impress on the Foxton people that they should not allow this, as it was most important to have the customs House established here instead of at Palmerston North. The President also referred to several important industries, including the two immense grading and dumping sheds which had been built by the NZ. Shipping Co., and Shaw Savill and Albion Co., Ltd. Such improvements must make a tremsndous’difference to the trade of the port, in addition to the benefits to the flaxraillers in having their fibre graded on the spot instead of sending to Wellington as heretofore. Another matter touched upon was the tariff, and effect on the colony of a “free breakfast table.’’ In conclusion he said he would like to briijg up the matter regarding the technical classes, as interest in.-same seemed to have lessened lately ; he thought it of great importance that it should be kept going. In proof of the Chamber’s interest in this matter, it was intended to vote a small amount towards the classes.