FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3878, 1 December 1928, Page 3

FOXTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

♦ MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Foxton Chamber of Commerce was held in the Presbyterian schoolroom on Thursday evening, presided over by Mr. D. Christie (vice-president). Also present were Messrs John. Ross, Hewitt, R. N. Speirs, D. R. Barron, W. E. Bullard, M. E. Pcrreau," G. F. Smith, J. Thomson, and the secretary (Mr. R. Hornblow). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J. K. Hornblow (President), and A. E. Scott. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows : From the Associated Chambers of Commerce, notifying the decisions arrived at in, regard to the various remits submitted to the annual conference. —Received. From the Foxton Borough Council thanking the Chamber for its invitation to the Mayor and Councillors to attend the Chamber’s ladies evening.—Received. From the N.Z. Tourist League, Auckland, enclosing a phamplet on the National transportation service question Rail v. Road. —Received.

From the Associated Chambers, re international code telegraphy. — Received. From same, advising of the death of Mr. H. P. Caughey, late President of the Association. A motion of sympathy was moved by the chairman and carried in the usual manner. From the District Engineer, N.Z. Railways, in answer to the Chamber’s request that a check rail be laid at the Lady’s Mile railway crossing in order to ease the bump encountered by vehicular traffic negotiating this crossing, stating that the rail as suggested had been laid. Decided to thank Department for acceding to the request. The chairman said that since the rail had been laid the crossing was much better. It was now quite satisfactory to motor traffic. TELEPHONE RENTALS. The chairman again raised the question of approaching the P. and T. Department with a view to having a? reduction made in the rental of telephones, which, he considered, was too high. After discussion it was agreed, that in view of the adverse reply to the Chamber’s request in connection with this matter only a short while ago, it was not advisable to again press the matter. NORTH ENTRANCE TO TOWN. Mr. Barron made* reference to the Foxton Borough Council for the excellent manner in which it had kept the road between the park and the railway crossing, at the north entrance to the town, since the Chamber’s request for improvement in this locality a short time ago. Mr. R. N. Speirs endorsed Mr. Barron’s remarks and said that the road had never been kept in such a good, state. It was decided to forward the Council a letter expressing tho Chamber’s appreciation of the manner in which it was keeping this section of what used to be a very bad portion of the highway.

CHAMBER’S DELEGATE TO CONFERENCE. The chairman expressed regret that, owing to illness, the Chamber’s delegate (Mr. F. C. Rai'kes) had been unable to attend the annual conference in Wellington. He trusted that Mr. Raikes had fully recovered from his indisposition and that he would be present at the next meeting of the Chamber. THE NEW COURTHOUSE. The chairman referred to the fact that the Chamber’s agitation for a new courthouse had borne fruit and it was very gratifying to know that the plans aqd specifications for the new building were now complete and that tenders for the erection of the new structure closed within a few days. With the erection of the new courthouse, little was left to be desired in connection with the improvement of the north end of the town. The new building would be a great asset to the town. .

Mr. Barron outlined the nature of the building and explained the furnishings provided for. The Department he said, had kept its promise to have the ’building erected early in the new year as the tenders for the work closed on the 4th December. He thought that the Chamber should forward a letter of appreciation to Mr. Rolleston, who as Minister for Justice, had done much to have the grant arranged, and also to Mr. Linklater, who had done all in his power to have the matter finalised and had assisted the Chamber in every way. It was decided to forward letters of appreciation to Messrs Rolleston and Linklater for their work in connection with the new courthouse. NEW FLAK BLEACHING PROCESS. The chairman referred to the new flax bleaching process which was submitted to the meeting of the N.Z. Flaxmillers’ Association on Wednesday by Mr. Thwaites, of Shannon. If this process was all it claimed to be, said Mr. Christie, then it would mean a great thing for the industry. Its introduction would mean a reduction in the numbered menj at the mills but it would enable the mills to run for much longer periods'each year. Ifthe N.Z. production could be placed on a par with Sisal then it would command a much better price and the

article could be used for a great variety of purposes. He felt very optimistic as to the future of Foxton and he wished the new process every success. If this process became established in the mills then he felt sure it would greatly assist s 'Foxton in coming into its oivn. Mr. J. Ross explained the tests that would be necessary before it would be known for certain whether or not the process was a success. It would be at least two years before the matter could be finalised. THE HIGHWAYS. The secretary reported on an interview with the chairman of the Manawatu County- Council relatjffe to the iCouncil’s proposed highway schemes and the Whirokino flood menace. Mr. Perreau said the Council had been severely criticised from all quarters in regard to its roading schemes but it now seemed that they had acted in all wisdom in holding up the work. As a result the Council was now to receive a subsidy of £3 instead of £1 for £1 for a great deal of its highways work. It was very gratifying to note that the Council was now arranging for letting this work by contract. The flood menace on the Whirokino was discussed at some length. The chairman thought the best method to overcome this difficulty was to raise the road the necessary height to make it safe for all time. He understood that a railway en-

gineer who had viewed this area had expressed the opinion that it would not-be difficult to run a line across the Whirokino. Mr. J. Ross said an embankment would be perfectly safe provided large enough drains or get-aways were made in the embankment to allow flood waters to get away quickly enough. If this were done there would be no fear of scouring. The secretary said AH. Barber had placed the matter before the Main Highways Board engineers. The embankment proposal would be very costly and was not considered safe. Everything depended on the river “cuts.” In the meantime, however, the chairman of the Manawatu County Council was endeavouring to have flood gates and drain constructed which would enable the flood water to get away quickly and not stay on the road. The Council intended to push on with its roading work and the Whirokino trouble would in no way hold up the rest of the work. Mr. Speirs said that cutting of the flood bank during the recent flood had tremendously relieved the situation. It was a pity it had not been done sooner. If flood drains and gates were provided in the they would have to be sufficiently large to cope with the tremendous amount of flood water. Mr. D. R. Barron said the Chamber should express its appreciation of the action of the Manawatu County Council* in employing local unemployed when possible. The engineer had told him that Mr. Barber was constantly ringing him up and endeavouring to place Foxton unemployed on county work. A number were already engaged and he understood that in the event of a tender not being accepted for the highways work, the Council would carry out this work themselves, which would mean that a great number of local unemployed would be absorbed on this work. It was decided to forward the Manawatu County Council a letter of appreciation of the ' fact that highways work was now to be undertaken and congratulating them on the satisfactory subsidy they had obtained for the work. It was also decided to express the Chamber’s appreciation of the fact that local unemployed were being employed on county work where possible. NEW* MEMBER, Mr. J. Martin, local stationmaster, was elected ah honorary member of the Chamber. GENERAL. It was decided that the December meeting be not hold and that the next meeting be held on the last Thursday in January. ■Accounts were passed for payment and the meeting terminated witli a vote of thanks to the chair.