CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 195, 15 May 1914, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Meeting of The Council.

The council of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce met on Monday night; present-Messrs Webster. Lusher, Pilkington, Jaguish, Townson and Andrew. A letter was received from the Auckland Provincial Industrial Association pointing out that at present no ma ket coukl be found by the inland sawmillers lor "shorts"—'hat is, timber of 8 feet and under—owing to the freight on this class ot timber. Consequently tne demand for fruit cases, boxes for commercial purposes, etc., could not b9 supplied. The waste in rimu mills rises as high au 33 per cent, of the log aisasurement, of which only 13 per cent, can be classed as sawdust, while slabs and shorts are the balance. Therefore millions of feet of good mai-ketable timber per year go into the lire heap solely because tha Railway Department does not create a cheap rate to meet the rapidly-increasing demand for fruit cases and all kinds of boxes. The Association aeked the Chamber'* co-operation in securing the lower freights desired.— On the motion of Messrs Townson and Jbgulsh it was decided to support the request. The secretary of the Advisory Board (Mr Roadley) asked the Chamber to appoint one of its members to the Advisory Board of the technical classes in Pukekohe— Mr Andrew was sel.cted. Word was received in March that the volume of business done would not warrant the Pukekohe telegraph office being kept open in the evenings after the end of that mentb.'—A reply j was sent saying that as the produce | season was practically over there ,

would be very little demand for this convenience during the winter months. It was decided to apply for the re-opening of the ollice, between 7 and 8 p.m. during the next produce season, starting in October. An Auckland firm sent particulars for a turret clock which it is suggested should be erected over the Pukekohe post office. —Mr Webster was appointed to collect for the clock, "with power to add to'his number."

It was decided to write to the Department asking that a full enquiry, be made in regard to the unsatisfactory working of the Pukekohe telephone exchange equipment. On the motion of Messiß Andrew and Lußher a letter is to be sent to the Right Hon. W. F. Masses, asking if he can give an assurance in regard t3 Pukekoho being the junction station for the Waiuku branch line. Mr Massey ia also to be asked it the express trains will stop at Pukekohe when the water is available at the railway station.