CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40021, 9 November 1929, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING

The usual monthly meeting' of the Fox-ton Chamber of Commerce, was held on Thursday evening, presided over by Mr. J. K. (Hornblow ('President). Also present were Messrs ,J. Newton, J. Martin, A. E. (Scott, R. N. Speirs, O. lOhristie, A. Alsop, Ct. P. Smith, C. M. Hewett, S. .Mattar, W. E. Bullard, I. Corn, D. R. Barron and the secretary (Mr. R. Hornblow). . An apology for absence was received from Mr. G. Barber. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as i'ollogvs: — From the Invercargill Chamber, enclosing folders in connection with pleasure trips to the Coast and Sounds in the s.s. Hinemoa.—Received. . ■From the Horowhenua Power Board, stating in reply., to the Chamber’s request, that it would be possible to arrange an all-night service in connection with the Beach street lights, but an additional charge of '5/- per lamp per annum would have to be made to cover „the cost of same.—-As the matter is already being.dealt with bv the Harbour Board, the'Chamber decided to take no further action is the matter. BUREAU' CHARGES.

The following letter was received from the Postmaster-General in reply to the Chamber’s request that where no reply was received in a toll ring no charge should be made. “In reference to your request for the abolition of the charge <at present applicable to toll calls which cannot be completed on account of fhe absence of the called subscriber, I beg to inform you that the,, suggestion has been carefully-,re-viewed but it is regretted-that the proposal cannot be favourably considered at present. In many eases ‘no reply’ calls entail a greater expenditure of line- __and operator s time than would be required for the completion of the call and the enforcement of the charge is, therefore considered.to be warranted, I am assured by mv Department., however, that calls are not treated as bio reply’ unless a genuine and persistent attempt has been made to secure the attention of the required subscriber.” •Mr. J. Newton (Postmaster) said that the subscriber got the service as far as the Department was concerned and the Department could not be held responsible- for the called subscriber being out. He considered the charge was very reasonable and did not see 'how the Department could forego the charge when a good deal of time was taken up in putting .the call through. Members .considered the explanation very satisfactory and it was decided to thank the PostmasterGeneral for. his' 'explanation of the position'. PARTY TELEPHONE LINES. Mr. Newton also explained. the ' position in regard to party telephone lines. Party lines, lie said, were introduced in the first place tor the benefit of the settler living a good distance out of town and to whom an exclusive telephone would - be out of the question on account of expense. In towns, party lines were not possible in many cases. The wires were laid in cables and so many taken out and distributed at different points in the borough. The Chamber had asked whether it was possible far party lines-to be installed between residents business places and their' privates residences. This depended entirely on the distribution boxes. Where both • private and business telephone wires came out of the same box this was quite possible but this .did not always obtain. Mr. Newton explained the position with regard to several subscribers present and said that he would be only too pleased to go into the question with piiv subscriber desiring information on the point. •Mr. Newton was accorded the thanks of the Chamber for bis explanation of the matter. EXCHANGE CLERKS COMPLIMENTED. The President paid a compliment, to the efficiency and courtesy of members of the local telephone exchange. The ( local clerks, he said, set a"vary high standard and were to be complimented on their efficiency. There were never any undue delays-and subscribers were treated at, all times with the utmost respect and courtesy. (Hear, hear). Members heartily endorsed the President’s remarks and it was desided to aslki the Postmaster to convey to the exchange clei'ks the Chamber’s appreciation of their efforts. MAIL MATTERS. Mr. Newton reported that the south mail in the afternoon now closed a, quarter of an hour earlier in order-to allow the mail contractor to connect iwitli the New Plymouth Express. The innovation was only on trial at present and he would appreciate the Chamber’s views bn the change over at a later date. - The President said that as a result of the change over closing ;at. 3 p.m. instead of 3.15 p.m. the mail contractor connected with the- New Plymouth express at Levin with passengers and mail and as a result both arrived in the city at (i p.m. instead of between 7 and 8 p.m. as previously. The service was undoubtedly the best and fastest between Foxton and Welling- , ton and one that should be appreciated by the people of the town. Members were unanimously in favour of retaining the 3 p.m. service, and on the motion of the Pre-

sidont and Mr. G. F. Smith it was decided to express the Chamber’s appreciation of the change in the timetable and to urge the Postmaster that the old timetable be not reverted to.

Mr. Alsop urged the necessity for some improvement in 'the existing mail service to and from the Beach. Under the present eohditions, he said, although only three miles away, Beach residents did not receive their mail until a day late, and letters posted by them reached Dunedin some hours ahead of a letter posted to New Plymouth. Mir. Alsop was recommended to convene a meeting of Beach residents to discuss the matter, the Postmaster agreeing to fall in with any scheme which would not impose any extra ' cost on the Dei partment. FIRE BRIGADE EFFICIENCY. ■Mr. G. F. Smith paid a tribute to the efficiency of the local Fire Brigade. Only that morning, he said, an incipient fire had been reported at the (railway station and the rapidity with-which the Brigade had turned; out was wonderful. Their, performance that day'was certainly .very creditable.

Mr. J. Martin ’(Stationmaster), endorsed Mr. Smith’s remarks. He said that Mr. Roore had noticed smokfr issuing from one of the smoke stacks in the engine shed at about 10.15 a.m. and had immediately phoned the Fire Brigade, at the same time sending an employee over to the station to apprise them of the Ifire. There was a hose af the station but before the railway staff could get it out, the Brigade had arrived and had -a hose down over the railway line. It was the smartest piece of work lie had seen and the Brigade was deserving of a great deal of credit for their performance. On the motion of Messrs Smith and Martin it was decided to write to the Brigade expressing the Chamber's appreciation of the fine would being carried out by them and complimenting them on their excellent performance that day. VALEDICTORY. - The President took the opportunity of bidding farewell to Mr. A. E. Scott, who is shortly to leave Foxlon for Wellington, and in doing so expressed the Chamber's regret, at bis departure from Foxton. Air. Scott, lie said, bad been a real “live wire” in the town. He had done much to revive the Returned Soldiers’ Association and foster the spirit of comradeship, he had done good work on the School Committee and heed actively associated with the Chamber of Commerce. He bad been associated with practical-, lv every movement on foot for the betterment of the town and his ‘-boosting” qualiteis were a byword. Foxton could ill afford .to loose such an energetic worker and citizen.

Mr. D. Christie endorsed the President’s remarks and said Air. Scott’s criticism had always been welcome and interesting. He had been one of the promoters of the Lunch 'Club and had been a very active citizen during the whole of bis- stay here.

Aressrs G. F. Smith and I. Corn also made eulogistic reference to both Air. and Airs.‘Scott and exten-

d'd the best wishes of the Chamber o them for their future happiness.