CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 823, 3 December 1878, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held this afternoon in the Harbor Board offices. Members present : Messrs. J. T. Evans (chair), Meek, Gibbs, Humphrey, Dunlop, and W. S. Smith (Secretary). The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Letters were received from the postmaster, Oamaru, intimating that he was in receipt of a letter from the General Government, informing him that the private box lobby in the Post Office, in accordance with the request of the Chamber, should in future be opened on Sunday at the same time morning and evening as the Electric Telegraph Department. Also that the receiving boxps for letters will be immediately placed in at least two convenient places, of which public notice will be given to the public,

T - It was moved by Mr. Uunlop and seconded by Mr. Gibbs, "That this Chamber desires to bring under the notice of the Government the urgent necessity for a spare engine being kept at Oamaru, as in the event of an accident to any of the engines at present in use, the • engines employed on the Breakwater line is taken to fill up the difficiency, thereby causing a stoppage, seriously affecting all the shipping in the port and causing a great loss to shipowners, whose vessels are thereby detained. Further, such engine could be advantageously used in shunting. The question of marine insurance was brought up, and a special meeting was ordered to be called for its consideration.

Mr. Meek moved, and Mr. Gibbs seconded, "That, owing to the inconvenient position of the passenger station, the traffic t© the breakwater is greatly interrupted, fully half of the day no goods can be for" warded to Tessels on account of tho arrival and departure of trains ; and that in prospect of the large quantity of grain which must be shipped here next season, this Chamber would urge on the Government the great necessity for having this matter attended to at once."

The Chairman brought forward the library question, and offered to supply the Australand Town and Country newspapers. It was moved by Mr. Sumpter, seconded by Mr. Humphrey, that the sum of LlO should be expended in procuring books, &c., and that a Committee consisting of Messrs. Meek, Humphrey, and the Chairman attend to the same.