CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 94, 20 May 1913, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

First Annual Meeting.

-Tin first annual meeting of the Pekekohe Chamber of Commerce was h;ld in the Oddfellows' Hall la-t present -- Mctsrs Webster (president, in (he chair), Townson, Pilkinatcn, Comtie, Lawrie, Grant, Dell, Earres, Grigor, Lusher, Suitor, Brjwnlie, Jaguish and B. 11. .Udrew, hen. secretary. PRESIDENT'S REPORT. The President reported that the membership of the Chamber was now S7. Mr Andrew had proved himself to b: an efficient and er.ercetic Secretary, and without his a-sistance the Chamber would not hive b:<n Rtl2 ro cb much is it lied done. By the dpariure of Mr Hunter the; hai lost their In hi) opii ion the Chamber hid d r.e good work during the psst 12 month?, and he anticipated with a wis2 [election of officers anl Council the coming year's r,peratrn3 would prova of great bentfit to Fuktkohe. The Chamber hsd not fceci succ ssful in its endeavour to gel a Government grader here, buf they had drawn attention to the necessity foi a grading Fysteni to k :ep up tha trade now existing in produce. Ha telieved it would be beneficial ti the trade of ihe district if a grader were stationrd i 1 Pukekoh 1 . By the Chamber's efforts ircrf.asei facilities had been obtained for the posting of letters by getting pest office boxes at the dairy factory and at Perkins' corner, and having the outside bxes chared at times to catch the most important mail services. This had done away with the feelirg by a lot of p:opU that they hai been neglected. The Chamber, a!s\ had been instrumental in cbtainmg a mounted letter carrier for the borough. The post office was opened fur a stoit time as an experiment from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m ; this had been dison* tinued, but if the Chamber mace further representations the post offic2 might again be opened in the evenirgs. Mr Webster proceeded to outline what had been dene in respect of the Recreation Ground, how the £750 grant and subsidy had been promised and options ove: land secured which hv.d been passed over to tha Borough Council. The extension of the 3d telephone area to subscribers wua applied for but refused; ho wouli ask the incoming Council to bear this in mird and have a-other try. The Chamber asked for the goods-shed arrfl cumphta siding accommoiaticn at the railway statio:; these r. quests had been complied with and they now had an up-to-date station. The Chamber made application for the mii-day train service from Auckland with the result that the mid-day train, as soon c.s the new time-table ij out, will have Auckland at 12.30 p.m. and arrive here at 2.30 p.m, which was a great improvement. Application had be;n made !o have the express trains stop at Pukekuha on Sundays, and this had be:n granted under certain conditions. Th.rehad been a difficulty in connection with the Council and Chamber meetings, rome not having been held through lack of numbers. Ha EUsgeeted that when a meeting was duly called those present should form a quorum. In conclusion, he thanked the secretary and Mr Pilkington, who hsd acted temporarily during Mr Andrew's absence. Without their cordial support he could cot have been able to carry out the wishes cf the Chamber. After their year's wu-k he expected that the opinion cf the public would be that the Chamber had been of sane use to the town, (Applause). BALANCE SHEET.

The balance ehSct shewed the receipts to have bitr £l4 17s 6d, leaving a dohit bahree of 9d. Mr Andrew pointed cut that there had bsen a waste ct monc-y in ball hire, and in announcements, on account of members r.ot turning up,

The lepart and balance sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Both tha President and Secretary desired to be replaced, lut the thanks of the meeting and the datira that those officers eliould continue were so unanimous, that both finally agreed to serve for another term.

President—Mr R. F. Webster, Vice-Presidents Messrs Barter and Dell. Council—Messrs Townson, Sutton, Perkins", Brawnlie, Lusher and Pilkington. Treasurer—Mr Jaguhh. Secretary—Mr B. H. Andrew. Auditor—Mr Grant.

Mr C. K. Lawrie moved a hearty vcte of tharks to th 3 outgoing Council, who had done very goo:i work.

Mr J. A. Comrie, in seconding, said the Chamber had done a good deal for Pukekohe. Before the Chamber was formed the town h*d no outlet by which to voice many of its requirements. Mr Webster had mentioned that soma peopla thought there was friction b.tween the Chamber and the Borough Council; all he could say was lint if that was so he as a Councillor had never heard of it (Applaus ) The motion was carried by heaity acclamation.

GENERAL On the motion of Messis Andrew and LK'll it ws3 decided that in future the m:etir.£3 of members of the Chamber be held quarterly. An offer of the use cf his office to hold tin Council meetings in was made by Mr Ilrownlie ar.d accepted. Mr Townson kindly cflered a larcp for the Council's use. The sum of £1 Is was voted to Miis Johnston, who had done the typing for the Secretary.