PUKEKOHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 38, 18 May 1915, Page 2

PUKEKOHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Annual Meeting. The annual meeting ot the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce wa3 held last evening in the Borough Council ottices, Mr K, F. Webster, president, being in the chair. The annual report stated that the railway and post office returns showed that the district was progressing on good, solid lines. Telephone matters had received a good deal of attention and a duplicate trunk line with Auckland had been

secured, together with direct communication with Waikato towns. The numbe: of local telephone subscribers had exceeded 100 and the Exchange was now open on week-days until 10 p m., but very shortly the number of subscribers would exceed 126, when Pukekohe would be entitled to the opening of the Exchange until midnight, although for preference the Chamber proposed that the hours should be from 7 am. to 11 p.m. There was an urgent need fur a resident telephone linesman in Pukekobe in order that defective telephones should receive prompt attention. The Chamber's efforts to have Pukekohe made a permanent stopping place for the Wellington express trains had so far not been successful. The matter of establishing Workers Homes in Pukekohe had been dealt with and eight applications had gone forward to the Labour Department in that respect.

The balance sheet showed a debit balance of £2 9s 9d, with liabilities amounting to £3 2s, the outstanding subscriptions being estimated at £6.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. Officers for the ensuing year were elected as fol lows: —President, Mr R. F. Webster; vice-presidents, Messrs F. Perkins and H. Dell; council. Messrs H. E. Smith, Townson, Lusher, Asher, Coady and Woollett; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr B. H. Andrew; hon. auditor, Mr Pilkington. A discussion, initiated by Mr Asher, arose un the question of the proposed establishment of a Cottage Hospital within the County of Franklin, the subject having been attain brought forward by Cr Henry at last week's meeting of the Franklin County Council. Mr Pilkington proposed, and Mr H. E. Smith seconded, that the County Council should be supported in any scheme brought forward for the establishment locally of a Cottage Hospital. —The motion w.is unanimously carried. Mr Perkins reported that a meeting had been held earlier that day of traders and all arrangements had teen made for the permansnt appointment of a night-watchman. He trusted that members of the Chamber of Commerce would give the movement hearty support. On the motion of Mr Asher, seconded by Mr Sutton, it was decided to take steps to have the system of rural mail delivery established in the Pukekuhe district.

A resolution of the appreciation of the courteous manner in which they had dealt with matters between their respective departments and the Chamber was passed to Mr Coster (postmaster) and Mr Brown (stationmaster). It was decided to request the Borough Council to institute a scheme of night-soil removal pending the installation of a drainage system. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Andrew for his efficient services as hon. secretary of th 3 Chamber.

The suggestion was made that the inclusion of farmers in the membership of the Chamber would be a desiraole asset since the interests of the farming industry were promoted by the Chamber It was decided to invite the co-operatiun of farmers per the medium of the local branch of the Farmers' Union.