PUTARURU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 134, 27 May 1926, Page 5

PUTARURU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. There was a fair attendance of members present at the annual general meeting of the above chamber, which was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Monday night. Mr. J. W. Barr Brown (vice-presi-dent) presided in the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. F. C. Barnett, and apologies were also tendered on behalf of Messrs. C. G. Alcorn and A. R. Vosper. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. On the motion of Messrs. J. W. Barr Brown and G. G. Griffiths the report and* balance-sheet was adopted as read. SUBSCRIPTION. It was decided, on the' motion of Messrs. Thompson and Simpson, that a sub-committee be appointed to consider the matter of outstanding subscriptions. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. E. J. Darby was elected a member of the chamber, on the motion of Messrs. L. C. M. Wilson and A. C. Thompson. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the.ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr. J. W. Barr Brown; vicepresidents, Messrs. C. C. Neal and G. G. Griffiths; committee, Messrs. J. M. Spear, A. C. Thompson, L. C. M. Wilson andi J. Simpson; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. H. Dukeson, junr.; hon. auditor, Mr. S. J. Parker. THANKS. It was decided that hearty votes of thanks be accorded to the honorary auditor, Mr. S. J. Parker, to Mr. F. C. Barnett, the retiring- president, and to the secretary, Mr. A. H. Dukeson. ORDINARY MEETING. Arising out of the minutes of the previous meeting, Mr. E. J. Darby explained that it was not possible to expend money on street lighting in Putaruru oat of riding funds at the moment. When the original lights had been decided on the Development Board had agreed that no further lights should be erected until certain cross-roads in the riding were lighted. RAILWAY CROSSING. The Hon. J. G. Coates replied to a letter from the Chamber, stating- .that it was impossible to light the main crossing in Putaruru, as it was looked upon as local body work. Messrs. Neal and Griffiths urged urged' that the matter should not be dropped. The clanger was caused through unlighted goods trains standing- on the crossing while the points ; were being- attended to. It was decided that a further letter be sent in these terms. ARAPUNI LAKE. The Under-Secretary to the Public Works Department wrote stating- that a survey of the proposed lake edge had been completed, and a reserve sufficient for the department’s needs arranged for. Mr. Darby thought it was advisable to find out the amount of the area reserved, and also suggested that the fishery inspector be invited to visit the district, with a view to the establishment of a hatchery in the Arapuni lake. It was decided to approach the authorities concerned in regard to these matters. SELWYN ROAD. The Selwyn Timber Company wrote asking for assistance in obtaining a road from Putaruru to Selwyn. Mr. Selwyn thought the matter worthy of great consideration. The Mamaku hill was in a worse condii.,c,, now than ever before, while the proposed road would ultimately give a shorter . and far easier route to Koicrua. The value of the tourist traffic was not realised by all business men. Mr. Darby asked that Mr. Spear acI company him on a visit of inspection. Though it was outside of his riding he greatly favoured the proposal. In time he thought a road would ran through Putaruru and Arapuni from the. East Coast to the West. Mr. Spear pointed out, that at the moment Rotorua was cut off from all motor raffle. The Raima! was blocked, and so was the Mamaku and the Atiamuri routes. On the motion of Messrs. Griffiths and Neal, Messrs. Darby and Spear were appointed a sub-committee to go into the proposition, and report to a j future meeting. CLIMATIC RESERVE. Mr. Darby asked for the chamber's support in the endeavour to secure the Maungatautari range reserve as a climatic reserve. (Continued in Next Column.)