CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 876, 5 February 1879, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce took place yesterday afternoon at half-past 3 o'clock. The members present were as follow :—Messrs. J. T. Evans (Chairman), Christie, Gibbs, Humphrey, Dimlop, and Mr. W. J. Smith (Secretary). The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. G. S. Cooper, Colonial Secretary, requesting the co-operation of the Chamber towards obtaining Waitaki County exhibits for the Sydney International Exhibition, and enclosing copies of the New Zealand Gazette containing classes of articles to be exhibited. It was resolved that an advertisement be inserted in the local papers to the effect that all goods for competition at the forthcoming exhibition in Sydney will be received and forwarded by the Chamber of Commerce. Particulars and terms may be obtained from the Chairman, Mr. J. T. Evans, and the Secretary, Mr. W. J. Smith. It was also resolved to solicit the co-operation of theN.O.A. and P. Association towards this end. ! Mr. Dunlop thought that the Chamber should support the action taken by the | Harbor Board in reference to the mis-= statements made by a writer in the news* papers to the Australian and New Zealand Underwriters' Association about Port Oamaru.

On the motion of Mr. Humphrey, seconded by Mr. Gibbs, it was resolved, " That a Sub-Committee consisting of Messrs. Christie, Dunlop, Evans, and the mover be formed to wait on the Harbor Board for the purpose of conferring with them with reference to the damaging statements made by a writer to the Australian and New Zealand Underwriters' Association with regard to the port of Oamaru.

The Secretary read returns showing the number of vessels entered and cleared at Oamaru during 1877-1878, which showed that in 1877, 409 entered (tonnage 54,922), and 411 cleared (tonnage, 55,258), and that in 1878, 452 entered (tonnage, : 62,841), and 448 cleared (tonnage, : (62,702). I Mr. Dunlop thought that there ough'c to be a table of Customs returns for t-'iie , port, there was not one-eighth of our exports made public. Dunedin got the credit of the lot, as she also did for a large amount from Timaru. Resolved, that a register be prepared of the exports and imports of Port Oamaru. The question was put with reference to the answer given the Chamber's late deputation to the Hon. Mr. Fisher, Com- ; missioner of Telegraphs. The Chairman stated that the deputation had waited upon that gentleman, and the Secretary read the result, as already made public. Resolved, that the Secretary be requested to write to the Hon. Mr. Fisher, asking him to fulfil his promise of testing the idea of keeping the telegraph office open from 5 till 7 o'clock p.m. for six months.

Mr. Dunlop drew the attention of the Chamber to the extraordinary rates charged from the station to the Breakwater, no allowance being made for loading and discharging waggons at the railway sheds here, whereas in Canterbury three private sidings are allowed 6d a ton for loading and unloading. He remarked that the line is said not to be paying working expenses, but surely 10s a truck ought to pay. Mr. Gibbs said that it cost Is 3d a ton less to send stone by rail to Dunedin for shipment than to send it by the Waitaki. Resolved, that the Secretary be requested to write to the Secretary of the Harbor Board for permission to inspect the harbor returns of the Railway Department.

The Secretary was instructed to write to the Commissioner of Railways asking him to fulfil the promise made to the Chamber to extend the line of rail from theN.Z.L. and M.A. Co.'s warehouse to the breakwater line. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.