CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 138, 21 October 1913, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Meeting of Council. At the last meeting of the Council of the t'ukekohe Chamber of Commerce thsre were present—Messrs Webster (president, in the chair), Toivnson, Jaguish, Perkins, Dell, Lusher and Pilkington.

ROAD TO STATION. On the motion of Mr Perkins, seconded by Mr Df 11, it was decided to urge the local stationmaster to arrange foi the immediate re-opening of tha road from the station to Manukau road, and to ask tljat tha road be kept in a suitable condition for uninterrupted traffic. It may be remembered that in previous issues of the "Times" this matter has been discissed. The stationmaster had replied to the Chamber saying that the shortage of metal prevented the necessary repairs from being done, and added that "fhe road was an addition to the original p'an and was provided with a view of affording means ot entering the yard at one end and departing from the other. It was never intended to carry the whole of the traffic-to and from the station. A first-class road was provided from the west side of yard, but su long as the northern road was in a lit state to permit of it practically the whole of the traffic went over it and the other road, which was a better one, w-as almost totally neglected." The Chamber evidently thought that the use to which the northern road was put proved it to be the most suitable one, and tnerefore decided to continue to agitata for its employment. FIRE INSURANCE RATES.

As an outcr.me oi previous correspondence the chamber forwarded to the Auckland Underwriters' Association particulars regarding the water supply and fire brigade in Pukekohe borough. Fire brigade rules and a plan Ehowing the pipe reticulation were also forwarder!. "I trust," wrote the etcretary, "that you will find all the information fntirely satisfactory, and that you will be able to concede an immediate reduction in fire insurance rates for that part of the borough that is served with the fire service."

The secretary of the Association answered, saving: "The information has been plac:d before my committee and they consider that (ha fire appliances are quite inadequate in proportion to the size of your town and would ask you to be good enough and forward a report from the Insnector of Fire Brigades (Inspector Hugo) regarding Pukekohe and its fire fighting appliances."

To which the Charnbar secretary replied "Kindly advise me what you consider would be the minimum adequate appliances for a town the size of Fukekoh?. If vou give me this information I will be able to bring under the notice of the local authorities what is requirel to bring up the efficiency of the brigade so that we can secure a reduction in insurance rates." And the Underwriters Association again wrote:—"Before we can do anything further we must ask you to forward the Inspector of Fire Brigades report." On the motion of Messrs Perkins and Lusher it was decided that a report be arranged for by Inspector Hu?o, providing the Chamber will not be held responsible for the Inspector's exp;nses, except and only after further consideration by the Council.

A MATTER OF KENT. A reply from the Borough Couniil was saying that the Chamber could have the usa of the Cuuncil Chamber for 5s per ni^ht. It was decided to ask the Council to reconsider the matter nf the charge, the Chamber to remind the Council that the business transacted was in the public interest and that merely a nominal charge should be made. EXCHANGE ON AUCTIONEERS' CHEQUES. In replying ti the requeet that the Farmers' Union should move in the matter of saving exchange on auctioneers' cheques, the se?re tary of the Pukekuhe branch wrote SBying that the matterwas held over meanwhile, but "if the Union moves in this matter the Bombay, Buckland, Tuakau and Mauku branches should co-operate so that the movement might be representative." ROOSE'S lil'sH. The following letter was sent to the secretary of the Scenery Preservation Society, Auckland:-"I am instructed to bring under your notice a choice piece of native bush, situated within a quarter uf a mile nf Pukekohe station, on what is known as Ronse's hill. This property contains some very fine specimens of native bush, and is in an accessible position. It was thought that your Society might like to preserve same, and we would suggest that you send up an mspsctor tu report on same. I think ;t would be wise for you to send an inspector as Mr 'l'ownson, a botanist, states that the bush contains some very tine specimens of puriri and other native trees and also ferns." THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE.

"Some months ago'' -said a letter to the Minister for Railways—"you made a written promise to the Chamber that a raised footpath would be constructed from the end of the cvvr-head bridge to tht outlet on Manukau road. 1 have been instructed to advise y>.u that your promise has not been fulfilled. No doubt the matter ha* escaped the notice of the officers of your Department, and I would be glad if you would again bring it under their notice, so that pedestrians will not have a repetiton of what they had to put up with during the past winter."

The Minister replied saying that he was giving the matter attention. Several matters already dealt with in Borough Council and other reports were reviewed. A lot of correspondence (to appear on Friday) was discussed regarding the stopping of one of the expresses at Pukekohe and with the proposed Sunday milk train to the city.