FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 15 May 1909, Page 3

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Council of the above was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday evening. Present; Messrs Stiles (chairman), Phillips, Rimtuer, Perreau, Hornblow and Rae-Howard (secretary). Correspondence was read from Mr E. Newman M.P., in reference to lighting the local wharf and railway station with gas, and advising that he had now been notified by the Minister that an amount for this work had been placed on the estimates. —It was decided, to forward a letter in reply acknowledging his effects. From Auckland Chamber of Commerce, stating that they could not take any action in the matter of the Levin-Marton railway, until they got fuller information re same. —Referred to the incoming council.

A further, communication was received from Mr Newman, enclosing 1 telegrams from the Premier and the Minister for Public. Works, in which they stated that they would not be able to go over the route for the proposed LevinMarton railway before the next session. The Minister for Public Works also advised that as a trial survey-ot this route had been made some years back, and they had all . the information required it would not be necessary to make another survey.—These were referred to the incoming council to deal with. An account of 19s 8d was passed for payment and the meeting rose. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual general meeting was held immediately after the council meeting. There was a fair attendance of members, Mr G. H. Stiles (vice-president) presiding. An apology for absence was received from Mr R. Moore. The Secretary submitted the fourth annual report and balance sheet showing a credit balance of 7s yd,—The report referred to the great amount of work done in connection with the formation of 1 the Foxton Harbour Board. Amongst other matters that the Chamber had been successful in having carried out was the opening of the telephone exchange from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and also getting telephone communication with Wanganui. An effort had been made to get telephone communication with Wellington via Shannon and Levin instead of as at present via Longburn, and the Department had promised to accede to the request as soon as the extra wire in the course of erection between Wellington and Levin is completed. The question of lighting the railway station and wharf with gas had been urged upon the Department and word had no\y been received that an amount to cover the work had been placed on the estimates. In March a conference had been held in Foxton of representatives from the districts interested in the formation of the Levin-Marton railway, when it had been decided to form committees in all towns and districts between Levin and Marion, The expenses during the year had been very heavy owing to the large expenditure in connection with the formation of the F'oxton Harbour Board. Donations towards the. expenses of the formation of the Board were received as follows: —Foxton Borough Council £2O , Manawatu County Council ,£io, and the Palmerston Borough Council £5. Mr Stiles in proposing the adoption of the report and balance sheet said he thought the members of the Chamber could congratulate themselves on the progress made during the past year. The membership now totalled 36. The balance sheet showed that there was a credit on the year’s working of 7s yd. This state of affairs, considering the expenditure in connection with the formation of the Harbour Board, which had amounted to over ,£4O was very satisfactory. Although the Chamber had not done all the work they had laid themselves out to do, a good amount had been accomplished. They had gained experience and knew now how “slow” it was to work the Government. In their efforts to get anything from the Government, their answer had been “No” in almost every case. The formation of the Harbour Board had taken up a great amount of the Chamber’s time and he especially mentioned the work down by Messrs Moore, Hennessy, Stevens and Newman in this connection. He referred to the question of telephone communication with Wanganui and Wellington and also to 1 the LevinMarton railway. It has been stated that the Government intend diverting all traffic north of Eketahuna to the Manawatu Line, and as this line is now overtaxed it is obvious that sooner or later a duplication of the Manawatu Line must take place, and when this . was done he hoped the Government would see the many advantages of constructing this line. In referring to the question of the proposed new freezing works he said the Harbour Board were to be congratulated on the prompt offer of a free site for the works. He felt sure that if the promoters view the matter of site from a business standpoint and free from all prejudice the works will be established here. It had been rumoured at the last meeting of the Harbour Board that the Government intend to divert the coal trade from this port to the Manawatu Line. If this were so it would mean a serious loss of revenue to the Harbour Board and he considered the Chamber should communicate with the member for the district ask-

ing to make him the fullest enquiry. He concluded by thanking the secretary for the work he had done during the past year. The motion, adopting the report and balance sheet was seconded by Mr Levett and carried. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year President, Dr. Mandl; vice-presi-dent, Mr T. Rimmer ; members of the council, Messrs A. Speirs, G. Phillips, J. T. Levett, W. E. Bullard, M. H. Walker and Rev G. K. Aitken ; auditors, Messrs G. W.. Morgan and R. Moore. After the election of officers Mr Stiles said that as there was some new business to bring before the meeting, he thought the new president should preside. —Dr. Mandl took his seat amidst applause. He ; thanked the members present for the honor they had conferred on him by electing him president. He said that when he was first approached and asked to allow himself to be nominated for the position, he had some misgiving about consenting, as be knew there were others more capable of carrying out the duties than he was. He then considered also that it was a position which should be held by someone directly connected with commerce. However, after carefully considering the matter he had consented, and he hoped that with the co-operation uf the members to carry out the duties in the best interests ot the town and district. He desired to congratulate the Chamber on the great amount they had done during the past year. There was sull a lot to lie done especially in regard to the LeviuMarton railway. The Chamber was only a small body, and in advocating any new work they must sink all petty jealousies and combine with others in their effort to have same carried out. He hoped that they would all work together for the general good of Foxton. Mr Hornblow congratulated the president on being elected, and said that in a small community like this a Chamber ot Commerce could do a great amount of good. They also acted as a vigilance committee as far as local mattery were concerned, and could suggest to the Borough Council the carrying out of borough improvements. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to the out-going Council and officers, including the Secretary.—The motion was seconded by Mr Levett and carried.

The following new members were elected : —Messrs Gibbs, Bradley, and Fowler.

Mr Newman M.P. was elected an honorary member of the Council, and Mr J. Stevens a life member of the chamber.

Mr Aitken asked why the Foxton Chamber had not been represented at the conferences held recently in Wellington and Palmerston North. He thought that perhaps there was an Association of Chambers of Commerce, and only the delegates from these were invited to conferences. In order to get information on the subject, he moved that the Secretary communicate with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, inquiring if there is an Association of Chambers of Commerce in existence, and if so, what steps are necessary to join that Association.-—Secouded by Mr Hornblow, and carried.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Stiles, seconded by Mr Perreau, that this Chamber expresses its appreciation of the work done by Messrs Stevens, Newman, and Moore, in the steps taken to constitute a Harbour Board for the port of Foxton, and that letters be sent from the Chamber to that effect.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Aitken, secouded by Mr Hornblow, that the Chamber views with pleasure the prospect ot freezing works being established in this district, and commends the Foxton Harbour Board for its pro posal to give a free site for such works. This Chamber would recommend to the residents of Foxton and district to forward the enterprise by affording such financial support to the movement as possible to secure its establishment in the neighbourhood. Mr Stiles moved, and Mr Bullard seconded, that this Chamber having been acquainted with the rumour that the Government intend diverting the coal trade from the Port to the Manawatu line, we respectfully ask the member for the district to take the first opportunity of getting reliable information on the matter, and acquainting the Chamber of the result. —• Carried. Other minor matters were discussed, and the meeting terminated.