CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 6

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The usual quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held ou the 19th December. Mr. Krull presided, and explained the absence of Mr. Dransfield, who, as they were well aware, had a few hours before been installed as Mayor of the city. The minutes of the previous meeting having been road and confirmed, the Chairman made a brief statement of the financial position of the Chamber, from which it appeared that there was a credit balance of over £250. A letter was read from the Town Cleric in reference to the charges for the storage of kerosene.—An opinion was expressed that the charges were now moderate, and would enable the merchants of this city to compete with those of other places in the supply of this article. A reduction of over 100 per cent, had been made, on previous charges. Somo discussion ensued as to the law on bills of sale. It appeared that at a previous meeting Mr. Travers had promised to draft a Bill on the subject, but no such measure had been introduced last session. The Chairman thought the mutter might stand ovsr till a future meeting, as nothing could be dene till the next session of Parliament. Mr. W. Johnston was of opinion that the secretary should be instructed to write to Mr. Travers, and request him to draft a Bill, as promised. Mr. Travers, it was understood, was going to leave Wellington for some time. Before ho left he might draft a Bill, which could then be submitted to the committee. After some further discussion, it was understood that the matter was to be left in the hands of the committee. Mr. W. Johnston said he had had an interview until Colonel Whitm re in reference to tho extension of the railway to the wharf. Colonel Whitmore stated that the matter had not been brought under the consideration of the Government. Several Ministers were now absent from Wellington, but when they returned attention would be given to the matter. It bad been stated that, a sum should have been voted for the proposed work. He desired to remove that impression, as the work was included in the vote for the Wellington and Masterton railway, and it was within the power of the Government to expend it on any part of the railway. Mr. Hunter, referring to Wie question of wharf accommodation, said the Corporation had now a large sum of money lying idle which was to be devoted to wharf extension. He thought it would be advisable for the committee to communicate with the Corporation as well as with the Government. It appeared that the committee had already received instructions in the matter, and on the motion of Mr. Bannattne, it was again referred to them, to taka whatever action they deemed necessary. ,The Secretary brought under the attention of the Chamber the unsatisfactory state of the law iu regard to attaching laud for judgment debts. Before land could be attached it was necessaiy to advertise for three months in the Government Gazette , and at least once a week in a local paper for the same period. Mr. Ollivier had pointed out a case of considerable hardship which occurred a short time ago. A tobacconist failed in this city, and it was found that he had given bills of sale over all his goods. However, there was a valuable leasehold property, but owing to the delay and expense which had been incurred before it could be realised, very little was left for the creditors. Mr. Hart was under the impression that the law did not refer to leasehold property, but only to real estite, and that leasehold property could be sold in the ordinary course after judgment was obtained. Mr. Woodward said the law only referred to real estate. He was opinion that the law required amending, and he could instance cases which occurred every week of the hardship which was incurred in attaching real estate. Mr. Hunter said the matter was one of great importance, and suggested that they should communicate with Chambers of Commerce in other places. The matter-was referred to the committee. Captain Holt said he was requ sted b a friend in Melbourne, Mr. Monckton Synnot, to bring under tbe notice of the ' 'handier a movement for opening up a new market fur Australian and New Zealand wool. He had forwarded to him samples of cloth, which were now on inspection in the room, manufactured in China out of Australian wool and cotton. Owing to the prejudices of the Chinese, it would be necessary, to establish the trade, that woollen yarns should at present bo furnished almost free to the Chinese. A letter was read from Mr. Synnot to Captain Holt, of which the following is an extract flinders Wool Warehouse. 10 Fiinders-lane East, Melbourne, September 18, 1877. Your friend Douglas McLean will be very pleased to hear the experiment of sending yarn instead of raw wool has succeeded beyond my expectations. I send him a small sample of the staff .'it arrived yesterday) addressed Napier, which I hope he may get. I want to raise £IOOO for another trial, but not being able to guarantee* profit, I fear the sheep men of Victoria have not sudicient pluck to subscribe the money, and I am not able to afford to make these experiments at my own expense." Will you be kind enough to gel the substance of the Shanghai letter into the New Zealand papers, when perhaps there may be tome more like McLean who will assist in going on with another trial. I want to hr able to seilthe yarns at a very low price until they get accustomed to their manufacture, by which time I would expect the yarn would become a necessity, and then they would send orders which could only be filled at a fair profit.— I am, ic., Monckton Synnot. The accompanying circular was also read;—

Shanghai, 4th August, 1877. Dear Sir,—Your note and monthly market report, dated I)th Juno, reached ue on the 18lh ultimo, and the present is the flrstopportunity which we have had for replying and thanking you for same. We have now pleasure in informing you that the Chinese manufacturers at Ningpo have succeeded in making a cloth of cotton and wool mixed, using native cotton yarn as the warp and the woollen yarns'whioh you sent us as the woof (or weft). AVe are sending a specimen piece of the cloth (of both colors) to your address by the present chance, and you "ill lie able to judge of the quality and worth of the fabric therefrom. There lias been no time ns yet for us to ascertain whether the natives at, the north will care to purchase the manufactured article or buy your woollen yarns and manufacture at Ningpo for themselves. AVe shall write to you again upon the subject when we have obtained further information upon these points,- 'AVc are, Ac., Olyphant & Co. Monckton Synnot, Esq., 10 Fllnders-lane East, Melbourne. The CHAIRMAN was of opinion that the object was ouo for which the Chamber might properly contribute a sum of money. He would (suggest that £4O or £SO should be voted out of the funds in hand. It would be a small beginning, but would, nevertheless, set an example to other places. Mr. Hunter proposed that the sura of £SO he voted to aid Mr. Synnot in his efforts to open up. a new market for wool. Mr. Griffiths did' not think it was desirable to vote the funds of the Chamber for such a purpose. The matter had only reference to one branch of industry—the woolgrowers—who wore a wealthy class, quite capable, and should be willing, to assist themselves. There was another point which should not be overlooked. Mr. Synnot was a Melbourre man, and the money would be devoted to the purchase of Victorian wool, with the object of opening up a market for the wool of that colony; It was pointed out that it was not intended to forward the money to Mr. Synnot, but that woollen yarns of the value of the amount voted should be forwarded from here ; and it might be found that New Zealand wool was mo°e suited for the manufacture of the goods than other wools. One gentleman was of opinion that, as the cloth was half wool and half cotton the cotton industry should be asked to contribute a share of the expense. He thought it wouIJ be better to encourage the colonial cloth factories. The motion was then put that £SO be granted, and it was carried by a large majority. It was announced that Mr. G. I’. I’owleshad been elect*! a member of the Chamber. < _ i There being no other business, the meeting idiourQ6<3* •