CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9068, 7 February 1908, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

FORMED AT MARTON. The movement to form a Chamber of Commerce in Marton has been enthusiastically taken up. The meeting to consider ita formation held at the Borough Council Chamber last evening, was one of the largest and most representative of the business community yet held. Almost every business place in the Borough was represented and the meeting was alive to the fact that there is ample useful work to be done by such a public body. * Mr F. Purnell, one of the conveners of the meeting, was voted to the chair. He said the big attendance was a sufficient indication Chat a Chamber of Commerce was badlyneeded in Marton and *on . behalf of • the conveners, he welcomed all to the meeting and invited them' to take an active part, with a view to *.ts esablishment. It could safely be said that the meeting was thoroughly representative of the business people of Marton which was a highly satisfactory feature of the movement.. That a Chamber of Commerce was wanted in Marton could not be disputed. They required organisation and he quoted the objects of Wanganui Chamber of Commerce to show that they could not do better than 'adopt similiar proposals I.to protect their commercial interestsIt was hardly necessary to say that Marton was in a critical position in respect to several important questions and the proposed alteration to the railway station was mentioned as being of great importance to every resident of the town and district. It was not definitely known what improvements were proposed by the railway authorities hut it was essential in the interests and pro-. gress of Marton that some effort should be made to find out. Certain important proposals were talked about but for obvious reasons ho; would not mention them at present. The Chamber of Commerce could go into this matter and no doubt the District Engineer of Railways would supply official information. They were in a centre of a great producing district and they wanted every facility to make it a distributing centre, “Production and distribution must go together,” added Mr Purnell. A business man should work his business on a scientific basis and the formation of a Chamber of Commerce would assist him in this direction. It would also promote the welfare of Marton and district. (Applause.)

The Chairman then read a number of apologies from prominent residents of the district who- were unable to attend. Mr F. R. -H. Brice proposed, seconded by Mr. A. W. Woolley “That a Marton Chamber of Commerce he formed.” The motion was carried unanimously. The membership was fixed at ICs and 36 members were elected, and it is expected that fully 100 will be enlisted during the next week. The following officers were elected —President, Mr F. Purnell; VicePresident, Mr F. R. H. Brice: Committee: Messrs A. W. Woolley, F. C. Carson, A, Barnes, J. A. Bush, J. Mather, Ladley, E. Broad, and w. L. Little. The election of the ninth member of the Committee was deferred. The appointment of the Secretary was held over for a month aud Mr O. B. Collins was elected pro tern. Mr P. J. Sladden was appointed auditor.

A motion was passed asking Mar ton Borough Council for permission to hold meetings in the Chamber. Mr T. Armstrong inquired whether it would be necessary to register under the “ Unclassified Soci Act.” A motion giving c'e,; to this was rejected. The rules were then gone into and adopted and it was decided to have same printed. A committee meeting was afterwards held when it was decided to meet on the first Tuesday in each month.

It was decided to make themeniber for district (Mr John* ’ Stevens), Chairman of Rangitikei County Council and the Mayor of Marten (Mr John McEldowney) ex officio members of the Executive Council. Several important matters in connection with the proposed alterations in the Martou Railway Station were dicussed and a sub-com-mittee consisting of Messrs Purnell, Brice, Bush and Barnes were appointed to interview the District Railway Engineer and make full inquiries. Messrs Mathers and Carson were appointed to make inquiries into the proposed alterations of the Marton Borough boundaries and report at the next meeting. The committee expressed its willingness to assist in the matter of getting a better water supply for Marton and as soon as Mr Reynolds’ report is published a special meeting will be called to go into the question.