CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 25 February 1909, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the above was held in the Secretary’s office on Tuesday night. Present Messrs Hennessy (chairman), Phillips, M. H. Walker, Perrean, and Hornblow.

Correspondence was read from the Post and Telegraph Department, re post office clock, stating that no grant could be given towards same ; and re telephone communication from Fox ton to Wellington via Shannon ; also from manager ot railways, stating that no hinds were available for lighting the station and wharf wilh gas.—The latter statement caused some amusement as it was pointed out that the profits accruing annually from wharfages was sufficient to instal the lighting a hundred times over. It was resolved to write to the general manager in reply, pointing out this fact and asking him to reconsider the matter.

A letter was received from Mr Newman M.P., re the proposed Levin-Marton railway in which he suggested that the local chamber or Levin or Martou chambers should interest themselves actively in this question in order to expedite the trial survey of the route. He also suggested that the Minister for Railways or the Premier should be motored over the route from Levin to Marton, The Minister could leave the train at Levin and catch it again at Marton if his time was limited and he would be given an opportunity of seeing the country, and realise the advantages of the line if constructed. The letter stated further that the Hon. R. McKenzie had stated that no provision has been made for the trial survey and that the writer was now in communication with him and had pointed out that the survey was promised to a deputation which waited on Sir Joseph Ward on the 23rd September last. —The letter was discussed at considerable length and it was finally resolved that a copy of Mr Newman’s letter te forwarded to the Marton and and Levin chambers with a suggestion that a conference delegates from the above mentioned chambers be held at Foxton at i:-3o p.m., on March yth to discuss the proposals therein contained.

The Palmerston Chamber of Commerce wrote re the FoxtouPalmerstoii railway service, enclosing copy of correspondence between the chamber and Mr Ronayne. The matter had also teen brought under the notice of the Minister for Railways by a deputation that had waited upon him at Palmerston on the 27th ultimo. No further replies had yet been received by the chamber which hoped its efforts would meet with the local chamber’s approval and support, and any further suggestion would be taken in hand jointly. The following is a copy of the letter lorwarded by the Palmerston Chamber to the General Manager on the subject and the reply received. —•

T, Ronayne, Esq., General Manager, Railway Department, Wellington. Dear Sir, I am directed by my chamber to bring under your notice the desirability of improving the railway service between Palmerston North and Foxton by running trains on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and by having a better supply of trucks at Foxton. At present goods arriving in Foxton on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings cannot leave Foxton until Saturday morning, and in consequence of the goods shed being closed at 2 p.ra. on Saturday, the goods are not delivered until Monday. The same thing applies to goods arriving on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings which are not delivered until Friday. The only time on which there is no likelihood of delay will be Thursday morning. The goods arriving at that time can reach Palmerston North on the evening of the same day and be delivered there next morning. On Monday no steamers arrive. There is very often a lack of trucks. This and the insufficient train service are -the main causes of delay. Kindly oblige by taking these matters into serious consideration with a view to removing complaints by granting us the additional train service and a better supply of trucks. An early reply will oblige.—Your faithfully, (Signed) G. Hirsch, Secretary.

The Secretary Chamber of Commerce, Palmerston North. Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of sth inst., in regard to the alleged shortage of waggons at Foxton, and urging that additional trains should be run on the Branch, and in reply have to inform you that the matter will be considered and a further reply sent you as soon as possible, —Your faithfully, (Signed) T. Ronayne, General Manager.

' It was decided to endorse the Palmerston Chamber’s action. It was also explained that the timetable of the local line wanted revising in order to allow passengers to catch the south train to Wellington at Longburn. It was resolved to write to the Minister calling his attention to the necessity for revising the time-table.