CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2538, 3 February 1923, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The monthly meeting of the above was held on Thursday night. Present: Messrs A. N. Smith (president), Follas, Hornblow, Jack, Jno. Ross, Christie, Peai’son,. Admore, Perrenu and the secretary (Mr Roore). - POSTAL AND TELEPHONE MATTERS. The president said he had invited Mr Delany to be present to discuss with the Chamber some suggested local alterations to the existing maSl service'. Mr Delany said he would be pleased to hear the views of the Chamber and to pass on any recommendations. Mr Hornblow said it had been suggested that the closing time for the south mail should be extended from 8 p.m. to 7 or 7.30 the following morning and that the south mail should be sorted into the boxes upon arrival enelrevening and that a mail service be established per char-a-banc between Palmerston and Foxton to take the place of the restricted train services on Tuesdays and Thursdays which only provided one evening mail on those days as against an afternoon mail on the other days. Mr Pearson asked whether the south mail could be connected with the Auckland express per the Fox-ton-Palmerston morning train, such mail to close co-incident with the ordinary morning mail for the north. The president said another suggestion was that the mid-day mail delivery should commence at an earlier hour in order to afford time to reply by the outgoing afternoon mail.

In reply Mr Delany said the sorting of the night south mail upon arrival which would only benefit box holders, might prejudice the closing of the counter delivery between 7 and 8 p.m. which was admittedly a greater public benefit. It was questionable whether the south moniing mail via the FoxtonPalmerston train could connect via Palmerston with the down Auckland express as the time was limited. He thought an extra service via char-a-abanc between Palmerston and Foxton on Tuesdays and Thursdays would be in the public interest and would suggest that the recommendation be made to the Chief Postmaster. In regard 1 to an earlier town delivery of the mid-day mail, he pointed out that the carrier did not complete his moniing delivery until 12.45 and «did not recommence the second delivery until 2 p.m. This method could not be improved upon unless an extra carrier was employed which he did not think the Department would agree to. ' The question of the suggested increase in telephone charges was then discussed. In reply to questions Mr Delany said he did not know anything beyond what had been stated in the press. In regard to telephone instruments he contradicted a statement that there was now a shortage. Members spoke in opposition to a continuous service for Foxton. After further discussion the folfowng motion was moved by Mr Hornblow and seconded by Mr Pearson and carried unanimously: “That this Chamber enters an emphatic protest against the suggested increase in telephone charges which would inflict an unfair handicap on small business men but would suggest the introduction of the toll system as an alternative.” The president stated that the annual general meeting would be held next month and asked that all outstanding members’ subscriptions be paid before that date.