CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5307, 29 March 1878, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The annual general meeting of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce was held on Wednesday, March 20, J. Dransfield, Esq,, presiding, There were about forty members present. The minutes of the previous.meeting were read and confirmed. The following report was then read: Your committee beg to submit the following report of the transactions of the Chamber for the twelve months now past, calling attention also to various matters which they think worthy of consideration. IVkarf Accommodation. Perhaps the most important subject that has engaged the attention of the. Chamber during the past year is that of an increase in the wharf accommodation of this port. It will be within the recollection o‘. members that an intimation was received to the effect that the Government was not prepared to proceed with the construction of the contemplated railwav wharf, and suggested the advisablcncss of bringing the railway into connection with the Queen's wharf. The matter received considerable attention at the hands of the committee, and after much deliberation apian was proposed in accord; nee with this suggestion, which was ultimately adopted by a general meeting of the Chamber, and recommended to the Government. The Minister of Public Works accepted the proposed plan, and stated that the work would bo proceeded with forthwith. Subsequently, however, this proposal was, it appears, abandoned by the Government, and at a recent interview it was stated by the Colonial Secretary that the Government had It in contemplation to make over such portion of the reclaimed land as ‘was not required for public purposes, to the Corporation, on liberal terms; but that the whole question had to be considered in Cabinet, and they were unable to state definitely their intentions with reference to wharf accommodation. Great improvements are now being made to the Queen’s wharf, but your committee are imptv'med with the conviction that a further considerable increase in the wharf accommodation of the port is a matter of the first importance, and they strongly commend the subject to the early attention of their successors in office. A largo shed for pressing and storing wool is t also greatly needed. Wharf Regulations.

In connection with this subject it may be mentioned that a new regulation was at one time issued giving the Corporation a lien over any goods on the •wharf or in the Queen’s bond for any charges due by the owner of such goods, whether on the same or any other package--. The inconvenience of such a course was pointed out by your committee, and the regulation was rescinded by the Corporation. With the view of increasing the facilities of the port, your committee has suggested to the Corporation the advisableness of abandoning the charge of outward wharfage on the shipment of goods winch have already paid wharfage inwards, but regret that the Corporation have been unable to accede to this suggestion. In consequence of increased competition a general reduction has been made in the charges on merchandise stored in the Queen’s bond. Harbor Board. A general measure in reference to Harbor Boards was brought before the Legislature, during the last session, but allowed to lapse. As matters stand at present, probably the best solution of this question, as far as Wellington is concerned, might be found in giving to the Municipal Corporation the powers of a Harbor Hoard, together with suitable endowments. The City Council are taking steps with this object, and it is understood that the Government concur in the proposal. Kerosene Bond. Your committee lias followed up the action taken by their predecessors in office with the object of having the kerosene store removed to some less central site, as also for obtaining facilities for storing kerosene in bond, and they are glad to be able to report that in both these respects effect has been given to taeir wishes by the Corporation, who have also, at tlio suggestion'of the Chamber, considerably modified the charges for receiving and delivering. Bills of Sale. The unsatisfactory state of the law respecting bills of sale has been the subject of much consideration to your committee, and suggestions for a radical-altera-tion were agreed to at a general meeting of the Chamber. It will be the duty of the committee now to be elected to see that the resolutions of the Chamber are given effect to as far as possible. Building liegulntions. The building regulations which were alluded to in last year’s report have since come into force. Hew Keservoir. The new reservoir is now practically finished, and is capable of furnishing a supply of water which will no doubt be sufficient for some years to come for general purposes, besides effecting an important improvement in the safeguards against the spread of fire. Fire Insurance. During the past year another New Zealand Hire Insurance Company has come into existence, and one or two more European companies have opened agencies here, but these additional facilities scarcely do more than meet the increased demand arising from the rapid growth of the city, leaving a deficiency still to be supplied. Increase in the City. Papers recently laid before the City Council give evidence of the rapidity with which this city is growing in population and number of buildings, : Copies of these reports are appended. Drainage and Sewerage, The plans for this purpose referred to in the last annual report have since been completed, and are now awaiting the opinion of Mr. Clarke, an engineer who is regarded as a competent authority on such matters. Should his report be favorable, the work will at once be proceeded with. . Fuhllc Works. In the Chamber’s report, submitted in March. IS7G, it was mentioned that the Wellington and Masterton Railway was open as far as the Upper Jlutt. At present, though two years have elapsed, the lino is only open as far as Kaitoke, an additional distance of about seven miles. It mu,be felt that such a rate Of progress JS extremely unsatisfactory, even .after making all allowance for the engineering difficulties of this part of the line. Absconding Debtors, The desirableness of provision being made for procuring the arrest, in other countries, of absconding debtors, has been frequently before the committee and the Chamber, as well as other Chambers of Commerce in the colony. The subject, however, is one surrounded by many difficulties, and no definite action has yet been agreed upon. Australian Juvenile Industrial Exhibition. The assistance of your Chamber was sought to further the objects of the exhibition to be held in Ballarat this year. A. special committee was appointed for this purpose, and means were adopted to obtain suitable exhibits. Very little general interest was manifested by the public, and only a very small number of exhibits have been seut from this district. Wool. An interesting experiment, having for its object the introduction of Austral an and New Zealand,wool to a new market in China, was brought under the notice of the Chamber. It had so far been carried on by Mr. Monckton Synnot, of Melbourne, and he asked for assistance to continue the experiment on a large scale. A sum of £.50 was therefore voted from the funds of the Chamber in aid of this object, such sum to form part of a fund which should be invested in yarns of New Zealand wool, to be seut to China,, and presented to Chinese cloth-makers to familiarise them , with its use, and induce them to adopt it in their manufactures. General. Among other subjects, in reference to which action has been taken by your committee, may be mentioned the necessity for improved accommodation for tire Supreme Court in this city; the propriety of increasing the pay of special jurors, as also of allowing cases to be heard by special juries of smaller numbers than two ve; the advisablcness of reducing the fees on Post Office orders for small sums; the necessity for removing the powder magazine to some less central site; and the difficulties which attend the attachment of real estate for judgment debts. On all these subjects, except the last, representations have been made the Government, and your committee recommend them to the attention of their successors in office. Members. Your committee deeply regret to have to record the loss by death of two members during the year now past, namely, Mr. George Moore and the Hon. W. B. Rhodes, both of whom had been members of the Chamber from its commencement. Six others have withdrawn from membership, but twenty-one new members have been admitted during the year. # There are eight applicants for election to-day, which will bring up the total of members to 112. Statistics. Statistical tables will bo found appended to this report, containing the records of the trade of the colony to the end of 1877. It will be seen that Wellington continues to show a satisfactory rate of progress. , Funds. Annexed to this report will also be found a statement of receipts and expenditure for the past year, which shows that the funds of the Chamber are in a healthy condition.

The Chaikman : Gentlemen, in moving the adoption of the report at the annual meeting, it is usual for the chairman to review the subjects which have occupied the consideration of the Chamber during the year. I find myself in a similar position to winch my predecessor did two years ago with regard to the important subject of increased wharf accommodation. This subject has engaged the attention of the Chamber more than any other, and I believe the opinion of most members is that very little will be done in the matter until wa have local government over all matters in connection with the. harbor ; and as this is apparently the view of the Government of the day, !there is every probability of this course being adopted, and then we shall have the matter in our own : hands to deal with. I am satisfied that if it had been in our hands during the last few years we would have set to work; in a practical manner, and have accomplished what is desirable. The great question of draining tile city is now, I think, in a fairway for practical solution; The City Council has wisely followed the course of seeking for the very best advice that is to be had in the colony. The gentleman who has been selected bears a very high name, and after the decision of Mr. Clarke has been arrived at, this important work will, in all probability, be at once proceeded with. There have been complaints in reference to the water supply of the city, audit has been thought that the Corporation neglected its duty in not having a better supply ; but when it is taken into consideration that only a tew years ago 400 services were considered about as many as the city would require for a few years, and that now the uunaber of services is over 2000, I think you will admit with me

that such an increase has completely knocked on the head any possible or reasonable calculations that could have been made fer this work. There is one subject which the Chamber cannot congratulate itself , upon, nor can it congratulate the citizens of Wellington upon—that is, the miserable rate of progress which our railways have made, especially in the southern part of the Provincial District of Wellington. As is stated in the report, during the last two years only some seven miles additional railway have been opened, making a total of about thirty miles of railway made here during all the years the Public Works policy has been adopted. I think we have reason to complain that we have not henefitted to the extent fiat other districts have done in this respect. Wo are promised great things by the present Ministry, and I trust that this will be one of those promises which will he faithfully kept. The progress of the line to Masterton is an important subject, because I am satisfied that the fact of opening a railway to the Wairarapa will cause a great increase in our trade. A gentleman who held a seat in the Ministry some years ago once told me that when we got this projected line open he hardly expected the earnings would pay for the grease used on the wheels, hut now he has altered his mind, and says it may pay working expenses; but I go further than that, and say it will pay as well as any line in the colony, if once taken through to Masterton. There is one subject which I think the Chamber has not given much attention to, and which it might do for the future, —that is, the Telegraph Department. With all due respect to Dr. Lemon, I do not think the department is worked well. I think he studies economy too much, and it appears to me that the new idea of charging double for urgent telegrams is simply to increase the revenue. lam told this is entirely confined to New Zealand. The mercantile community, therefore, has a fair grievance, and I do not think the interests of the public have been so well served by the department as they should have been. I see by the city valuator’s report that the city of Wellington has progressed during the last year in a remarkable manner, some 471 new houses having been built, and over 60 business premises, making over 500 new buildings. This is a subject of oongratution, and proves that we are going ahead, and holding a proper position in the colony. lam sure if we all take that interest in this Chamber which we ought to do, it can be made a very useful institution. I hope some members of the committee will add to the remarks I have made. Gentlemen, I now formally move the adoption of the report. Mr. Kkull, who seconded the report, had few remarks to make. He considered the Chamber of Commerce one of the most powerful of bodies that could exist if properly managed. There were many reforms to be carried out, and as their numbers increased, he had no doubt these reforms would be carried out. He hoped in time they would have a tribunal of commerce to which disputed commercial transactions might be submitted for settlement. Steps had been taken in England to form such a tribunal, but he believed there was a strong legal opposition against it. Mr. Moouhousie, on the part of the profession to which ,he belonged, said he was not aware that the lawyers were at all opposed to the formation of such a tribunal as the one i referred to by the last speaker. For his part, l he should always be glad to see his clients save expense and ill-feeling by referring their difficulties to the arbitration of the Chamber of Commerce, or any other body of sensible and experienced men of business. Circumstances would oocasional'y crop up which would account for differences between the very best members of society, and which might be inexpensively reconciled by the process suggested by Mr. Krull. With regard to the reclamation of the Te Aro foreshore, he thought the present a proper time to take action, and that the work would be best performed under the auspices of the Municipal Corporation, who were now generally admitted to be fittest on economical and other grounds to hold the functions of a harbor board. Two or three years ago there was a strong feeling among members of the Assembly in a contrary direction. He was one of those who held that all municipal governments should be left to deal with their own affairs without any interference whatever. The proposed reclamation, when completed, would cause a great increase of revenue to the city. He thought a wet dock could he included in the scheme as there were no engineering difficulties whatever to o.ontend with. The dock would assist to give Wellington the precedency as a commercial emporium, the city would derive from it a large income, and there would be very ample profit following the carrying out of such an enterprise.

Mr. Wallace drew attention to au item in the report respecting the voting of £SO for sending wool to China, and asked whether it had been paid simply by the Wellington Chamber, or contributed to by the various Chambers of the colony ? Tlie Chairman said it simply, remained as a vote. There had been no money paid over, and would not be unless as part of some general contribution.

Mr. Griffiths drew the attention of the Chamber to what appeared to be an anomaly requiring rectification. A person having no status as a commercial man in the town, recently started business, and obtained credit through a man of substance, who was wellknown, recommending him as “all right.” The venturer afterwards absconded with the proceeds of the goods obtained on credit to Victoria, and as matters now stood he could not be brought back again. Mr. Thompson said with reference to the Telegraph Department a great many mistakes were to be attributed to the fact of cadets and inefficient persons being entrusted to attend to the work. The office was worked too cheaply by Dr. Demon, and from his experience there were not nearly so many mistakes made in the telegraph offices in, Victoria as in this colony. He thought, however, that great credit was due to Dr. Lemon for introducing the system of “urgent telegrams,” which were of great benefit to the commercial community. The system, he might say, was in vogue on the Continent as well as in New Zealand.

Mr. Buchanan considered the system of urgent telegrams simply one of increasing the charge’ upon telegram?, without any commensurate benefit. Concerning the subject of increased wharf accommodation, a suggestion had been made to him by Mr. Levin which was worthy of consideration. It was that a wharf should be erected at the Te A.ro end of the town especially for the use of coal and timber vessels. A large portion of the trade was immediately connected with that end of the town. Mr. Perrier considered that Mr. Buchanan and others had spoken in ignorance regarding the Telegraph Department. Telegrams were despatched in order of precedence as they were handed in, but by the payment of a double rate the sender could obtain the benefit of having them sent as urgent-—that was, before any others not so marked. With regard to the employment of inferior hands, he might say that a good many operators who had come from the other colonies suffered by comparison with New Zealand telegraphists. Mistakes would occur in the best regulated businesses, and no telegraphic department could be managed without occasional errors, and he thought that in the Telegraph Department of New Zealand there were, as a rule, fewer mistakes than in Victoria, and in England most atrocious mistakes were constantly being made. Some time ago evidence was given before a commission at Home regarding mistakes'in the Telegraph Department, and it was found that they were very frequently made through forgetfulness on the part of the sender. He (Mr. Perrier) had seen telegrams left at the office unsigned, and the sender come back afterward to inquire why the message had not been seat.

Mr. Duncan said that one subject had been forcibly brought under his notice, which he thought might as well be mentioned before the report was finally adopted, more especially from what bad fallen from tho head of the present Ministry during his late tonr. in the South Island. There were good grounds for hoping that the unfair burdens which shipowners complained of were likely during next session of Parliament to be remedied. But in this as in other matters it was necessary that proper representation should be made at the

right time and right place. He instanced the case of a vessel of 360 tons lately arrived in. Wellington, whose pilotage and light dues, amounted to the heavy sum of 4d., and read particulars of the charge-. He was informed that, as compared with the rates ruling in the Australian colonies. New Z 1 <- land charges were extremely heavy, and thought tha f , under the altered fonu" <,f gO . vernment now e tablished, these rates might be reduced, with justice to the shipping interest, and without injury to (lie general revenue. The subject would, hon ever, need: not to be lost sight of by the new committee of the Chamber. His chief object in rising to speak at all was, however, to explain that having been prevented from attending the last meeting of the committee when the draft report was agreed upon, he had not had the opportunity of submitting to the committee an addition to that section in their report relating to public works, particularly that with reference t» the slow progress made in the railway connected with Wellington. The chairman had, he was glad to say, drawn attention to the matter in his opening remarks, and the report itself briefly, yet forcibly, pointed out that during the" past two years the only advance made in the Wellington and Masterton line had been some seven or eight miles additional to Kaitoke. This rate of progress was eminently unsatisfactory, all the more so when 1 the lines almost everywhere else throughout the colony—north and south, east and west—had been extended to a considerable and to a commendable extent. He had recently seen, in various parts of the colony, the great strides the several chief towns were making by being placed in communication with the country districts, and was much pleased thereat ; but on turning to our own city, and our own railway, which ought long ere this to have connected cur harbor with the country, it was a matter of deep regret to feel that so much delay had taken place and such insignificantprogressbeen made. The terms in which this great public work was referred to in the report of the committee might, he thought, have been more strongly worded. He had intended to'have submitted an addition to it, but having been prevented by private business from attending the last meeting of the committee, was unable to do so. It might be as well, however, that he should read the proposed addition to the Chamber, and he trusted, although not embodied in the report, members would approve of ic ; and some action might result therefrom when the new committee began . their labors.

Your committee feel that they would neglect their duty to tlie Chamber did they not take tile present opportunity of urging upon members generally the necessity of greater interest being expressed in the furtherance and extension of railway communication, and more particularly of the importance of its connection with this city at the earliest practicable date. It is difficult properly to estimate the advantages that would result, not only to the commercial interests of this port, hut also to the producing districts of Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and Wanganui; indeed, it may be truly said, to the prosperity of the -colony generally, were this vital element to the advancement and general welfare more earnestly considered, with a view to its speedy practical realisation. The subject deserves, and will doubtless receive, your careful deliberation. Connected with this matter the committee desire to express their satisfaction at the recent investigation of a committee of the House of Representatives and their recommendation for a line of railway from the Hutt, via Wakaune, to Palmerston. Your committee hope that in accordance with the promise made by the Government to the House of Representatives, the survey of the line will bo completed, and that in the ensuing session Parliament will authorise its construction.

Mr. Duncan then pointed out the very great advantages that would accrue to the country by, the construction of the Hatt-Waikanae line—from the opening up of a large area of good available land, much of it adapted for settlement; also, the increase in value it would give to property generally near its neighborhood. From the evidence given before the committee of the House of Representatives, it appeared that such a line would throw open for selection and profitable occupation over 400,000 acres of land, at an estimated value of at least £2 an acre ; indeed, a considerable portion of it was stated to be worth from £5 to £6. It seemed difficult to understand why so important and reproductive a work had not been sanctioned by the Legislative Council, as well as the House of Representatives. These important questions should cease to be regarded as affecting local interests simply, for upon the lines now being constructed in the Hawke’s Bay District and the Wangamii-Foxton line being connected with Wellington, the general revenue would be immensely benefited. It was evident that the public at large should express their opinions in an nnmistakeable manner. Wellington, he contended, had not received that justice and consideration in these matters which, in the interests of the whole colony, it was desirable she should have had. For the future he urged the necessity for united and hearty action, and constantly placing before Government the desirability of completing the connection by rail of Wellington and the country producing districts. There should be no more, on the part of the public, of the attitude once described by an English statesman as “masterly inactivity.” (Hear, hear).

Mr. George stated that the matter referred to by Mr. Griffiths had already engaged the attention of the Chamber, but owing to legal difficulties they had not been able to deal with it. He quite agreed with the remarks made by Mr. Duncan. Mr. George Hunter facetiously remarked that Mr. Griffiths’ observations referred to three, and not only to two persons—Mr. Griffiths, being the dupe, was the third party in question. It was no use fancying that the Government could protect people from being duped. He did not believe that any Government could protect people against rascality. The point which Mr. Krull had referred to was one of the most important subjects which could engage the attention of the Chamber. Going to law seemed to him something akin to insanity, and he would suffer anything rather than resort to litigation. There was ■ a great deal of talk about the poor man being at a disadvantage, and no. doubt he was. The rich man, with plenty of money, could take his case into the Appeal Court and Privy Court at Home, where the poor man could not afford to go. He was glad that one gentleman had stood up to defend the Telegraph Department, as he thought more had been said against it than it deserved. The department had to be conducted iu such a way that it would not become a burden on the colony, and at present he thought, looking at the amounts received from it, that a verygreat deal was being done. It was satisfactory to know that the Customs revenue was increasing, and there were other departments of the public service in a similarly satisfactory condition. There was an enormous income being derived from the Railway Department iu the South Island, and that was a strong argument in favor of railway extension in this province. With reference to what had been said about a wharf at Te Aro, it appeared to him to be hardly practicable until the reclamation was completed. It was very well to have one large and creditable wharf, but things could be managed better if there were three or four wharves. He hoped the committee would earnestly consider the question of the railway wharf. He was not without hope that the Government had not altogether abandoned the idea, but would get the railway wharf constructed in soms convenient part of the harbor. If the municipality was empowered to act asa Harbor Board they would find means of raising funds or money, and there was no doubt that for a comparative small outlay they could provide increased facilities which would completely relieve the present burden. Mr. Gardner said there was no mention in the report of the To Aro reclamation, which, was a work of great importance. The report was then adopted. ELECTION OP OFFICERS.

The election of officers was then proceeded with by ballot, and resulted as follows; Chairman: Mr. F. A. Krull. Vice-Chairman: Mr. T. Buchanan. Committee; Messrs. W. M. Bannatyhe, J. H. Bethune, G. Crawford, J. Dransfleld, R. J. Duncan, J. R. George, J. B. Harcourt, G. Hunter, TV. H. Levin, L. Levy, E. W. Mills, E. Pearce, H. Rose, J, S. M. Thompson, and G. E. Tolhurst. Mr. G. Hunter moved a vote of thanks to the retiring chairman for his services during the past year, which was duly acknowledged by Mr. Dransfield.