CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 415, 25 July 1908, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

i * A general meeting of the above JS? ; was held in the Secretary’s j on Thursday evening. Mr P. w Henuessy (President), presided. , ' I, eng thy correspondence, both inward and outward, was read in connection with the proposed Harbour Board Bill, including letters from Mr John Stevens, M.P., and the member for Otaki, also two communications from the Waivers* Harbour Board, stating that air wharfage dues were collected by the Board, and the Board paid all labour, and the railway was connected with the wharf.

The Chairman said that Saturday (to-day) the Bill would f be forwarded to Wellington, and start on its voyage through the House, under the pilotage of Mr John Stevens. A good case had been made out, and he hoped ere long to see the local flying in honour of the Bill ■ having been passed into law (applause). He intended to proceed to Wellington, in company with Mr Moore, to confer with Mr Stevenson the subject. Everything was being done by those interested to ensure the Bill going through, and that afternoon he had received a very hopeful message from Mr Feild, who would second Mr Stevens’ efforts in the House. On the motion of Mr Homblow, seconded by Mr Jenks, . special votes of thanks were passed to the President and Mr John Stevens, M.P., also Mr Field, M,T\, for the splendid efforts made to constitute a Harbour Board for Foxtou, and it was decided to forward appreciative telegrams to the M.P.’s above referred to.

Mr Jenks referred to the unsatisfactory train arrangements from Foxton to Eongburn. If the afternoon train left Foxton a little earlier, it would enable passengers to catch the mail train to Wellington instead of having to travel by coach to either Shannon or Levin in order to pick up the train. He thought the Department shou'd be approached on the subject with a view to gelling the time-table amended. He also ridiculed the early Monday morning train from Foxton to Palmerston, which was run to suit the convenience of Palmerston people spent a week end at Foxton.

Mr Alex. Ross eudorsed Mr Jenks’ remarks in reference to the inconvenience caused through the Foxlon train not leaving earlier in order to catch the mail train at Dongburn for Wellington. The Chairman said the present train arrangements, suited persons who had business to do in Foxton. It afforded them suffici-Jfc eut time to transact business catch the afternoon train, which they would not be able to do if the train was timed to leave earlier in the afternoon. He was prepared, / however, to lake a resolution oty

lh: su’ject. Mr Horn blow was of opinion that the present time-table was drawn up by the Department with a view of preventing the Foxtou line acting as a feeder to the Manawatu Co.’s line. No doubt when the Government acquired the Company’s line, a better service would be brought into existence.

It was decided not to take action in the matter at present. Several other subjects were touched upon, and the meeting rose.