CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 161, 13 January 1914, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Meeting of Tho Executive.

The executive committee of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce again met last pr.atnt— Messrs Webster (in the chair), Dell, Townson, Andrew. Lusher, Russell, Japuish and Pilkitgton (secretarv). AUCUONuEKS' CHEQUE EXCHANGES. An outward letter to the auctioneers drew attention to the matter of exchange on cheques drawnby the auctioneers in favour of sellers of sto*k. etc. The Farmers' Union and this Chamber thought that ti i.< charge ought to be removed. —No reply had been rcc?iv£d.

THE PUKEKOHE TELEPHONE

The secretary of the Mauku branch lof the Farmers' Union i( rwsrdid ! a copy of a letter sent to the poeti master at Auckland complaining of i the annoying and frequent delays j that users of the telephone from Mauku and Patumahce received at Pukekohe.. "The long delays which now occur forces U3 to the conclusion that the service between Pukekohe and Auckland waH totally inadequate, or that the Pukekohe office is considerably understaffed. This branch requested a considerable impovement on existing conditions at as early an opportunity a<< possible." A covering letter asked that this Chamber should support the Mauku Union in their action. Said the letter: The principal trouble here is the delays and inability to get connection with Auckland and even when you are told your message will receive attention in proper order, after an hour's wait and your request is renewed you receive a reply that this is the first intimation they had that you wanted anything. The same trouble as your Council reports is aho frequent—the inability to even get an answer from Pukekohe. One of our members after several hours' wait tried repeatedly to get the postmaster at Pukekohe and wss always told he was busy or engaged, so it appears knowledge of the goinsrs ou is being wilfully kept from him. We feel that Pukekohe office must be very under-staffed or else have incompetent assistants." The secretary pointed out that the matter had arisen from a request by the Chamber that the staff at the office should be increased, and they bad had no answer to that yet. It was decided to ask for a reply. EXTRA STAMPAGE. In reply to the complaint that residents had to put penny stamps on circulars in order to get them delivered in time, the Chief Postmaster at Auckland wrote: "The costmaster at Pukekohe reports that he is not aware that postage of Id has bean charged in order to get secure delivery cf business announcements within reasonable time, and you are requested tn furnish parti-1 culars to enable further enquiries tD j be* made."

• The secretary said the particulars would be forwarded. He quoted cases in which the penny stamp hai been attached and quoted particulars in which post-cards and circulars had been delayed. CLOSING TIME. The president reported that he hat" interviewed the inspector who said that local shops would be governed by a gazette notice whether they employed assistants or not. Latterly the closing time had been settled by ag/eement, but fresh ones coming in did not feel bound by it. It was stated that a petition was to be put into circulation now. It only required a majority ot shopkeepers to fix the matter. COTTAGE HOSPITAL. Mr Andrew brought forward the question of a cottage hospital for Pukekohe, in support of the suggestion that had been made by the County Council. He pointed out that £I3OO was sent out of this district to Auckland and that sum with the Government subsidy meant £2600 which ought to be kept in this district. Besides this sum, most of those patients that went from here were not indigent and had to pay their way. Members unanimoufdy approved of the cottage hospital idea, and Messrs Webster, Andrew and Pi Ikington were appointed a committee to go into the matter. MOTOR LICENSES.

Mr Andrew pointed out that motor car owners here had to send their 10s license fee to Auckland.

It appeared that no boroughs of less than 50U0 inhabitants are entitled to act as registrars of motor cars.

The suggestion was made that the law should be amended.

Mr Andrew said that seeing the motorists travelled all over the country the fees should be paid into the Hospital and Charitable Aid fund, which would relieve that taxation. THE DUST NUISANCE. Mr Pilkington asked if any suggestion could be made to the Borough Council with respect to the dust nuisance. He thought a cart should be permanently employed for a few weeks in summertime settling the dust. It was not only a matter of destruction of stock, but it affected the health of the pcuple. Tne president said if the Chamber made a request they would be asked to pay. Mr Kussell said it would raise a hue and cry if they proposed to water only the main street. It would be "King street again." Mr Pilkington moved. That it be a recommendation to the Council that immediate steps be taken to alleviate the dust nuisance.

This was seconded by Mr Dell and carried.