SHANNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Shannon News, 9 November 1923, Page 3

SHANNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED,

The monthly meeting of the Council/of the Chamber of Commerce was held iin the Council Chambers on, Tuesday evening. Mr Gunning (pre- , sident) presiding, and Messrs / Thwaites, Murphy, Tippler, Farglier, Beard and Hyde. Letaye of absence was granted Mr E. Spencer owing to illness. KOPUTAROA-BUCKLEY ROAD.

The following resolution was received from x the Shannon, branch of the.Farmers' Union.- "That the Shannon Chamber! of Commerce'be asked not to go on with their petition to the Horowhenua County Gouncil witli regard to the formation of the Ko-putaroa-Buckley road, until such time a s a means - for special rating has been considered." Mr Tippler moved and Mr Fargher seconded that an explanatory letter be forwarded' to the 'Shannon! branch of the \ Union pointing out that* the 1 Chamber's policy is to help the district generally to secure any legitimate improvements that will be a benefit to the district and it considers the Buckley-Koputaroa .road will be of material.benefit to'the Koputaroa settlers /and also surrounding districts. x This was carried. MALE TEACHERS.

From the secretary of the Wellington Education Board in reply to the Chamber's request for the 1 appointment of more male teachers at the .Shannon school, stating that at the present time there are' six assistant teachers on the staff of the local school, .the highest position of these ' being held by a male teacher, and pointing out that under the Education Act the second position must be held by th'e infant mistress; thereafter, male assistants can be appointed provided they do not exceed the number, of female assistants. The practice of the Board in .advertising ■ vacancies for assistants in the Shannon School is to leave it quite open lor both, male and females to apply., The amount of salary which the Board offers, however, is not suffici- ' ent to Induce male teachers of experience and standing to seek the appointments offering- The Board had found that practically throughout the rural .areas of the district it is impossible to secure experienced, male teachers for positions lower than that of-the senior assistant in the Shannon School. v The letter went on to say there was undoubtedly a shortage? of suitable young men in the profession, and that it had been found that although male teachers hnv'e been specially advertised for, no applications had been forthcoming. It, was resolved to reply acknow-

ledging the letter and to inform the that the Chamber would esteem it, a favour if, when appointing teachers', all things being equal, the Board will give preference to. male teachers. -, SHANNON RAILWAY STATION, The Minister of Railways (Hon. J. G. Coates) wrote in respect to the Chamber's request for improved accommodation at the local railway station;, stating that though on occasions there has been congestion at the station this had been caused principally by traffic arising out of ■' the

Mangahao(hydro-electric works and as the greater-, part of this 'business ■ will cease during the next year, the traffic will then return to normal and the present accommodation should be sufficient far requirements. With-regard to enlarging the ladies' waiting room he was of opinion that it, A\ n as reasonably sufficient for the needs of persons using the railway. He therefore regretted that the request of the Chamber for extensions of the station; accommiodiation 1 . in the directions indicated cannot be agreed to.

'"Mr Murphy said the Minister had .dealt with their request from the heavy traffic point of view, whereas their complaint was in respect to "'the inadequate size of "the parcels office. Recently 'Mr TJnkliater, \M.P„ iwhen; in Shannon, had with Mr Thwaites andl hinrseflf 'inspected fhe building . and he\ had expressed himself as'', bein<s fully in 'accord with) the Chamber that tlli.G parcels office was . too sum 11. He had promised that when in Wellington he would interview the general manager, Mr MoVilly, on the matter. Mr TTyde no'mtcd out that since the present building was erected, the population' of Shannon had doubled, and to-day it was far too small for present requirements., ■Mr Tippler said he knew from experience, that before Ilhe IMangahao business started, the office was' too' small. '

On the- motion of Mr Murphy it was decided that a letter be forwarded to Mr Linklater, M.P.. to be handed t'o the Minister of Railways stressing the point that it was the parcels office accommodation which needed increasing, Ihe heavy traffic having been provided for. and at the same time pointing nut that MangahaO' business does not' make the difference; it is the increased population that makes additions necessary. INDUSTRIES, FOR SHANNON.

: -Mr Hyde brought up the question of manufacturing industries for Shannon, which he said was a matter of vital importance for the future welfare of the'town. He said it was all very avglJ to hope for them, but they had to do something themselves to help bring factories here, and to move in that direction he had a, letter which foe would like the Chamber to forward: to Mr A. Seifert asking that gentleman to r ( ive his opinion as to the advisability of starting the I manufacture jiof rope, binder twine and brushware in Shannon. He said at present the .whole district, imported these articles which are made from the fibre produced here, and in his opinion it should be a. successful industry here where the necessary materials were on the spot. It would give employment and bring money to the town. He did not think there , would be any difficulty in getting a company formed if it could bn shown that it would be a paying concern. .In writing to Mr Seifert he felt sure

he could give some light on the question.

Several members of the Council thought the idea a good i one and on the motion of Mr Hydlev seconded by Mr Thwaites, it was decided. to> forward the following letter to Mr Seifert:—"Our Chamber feel that there: is a possibility of establishing an industry in Shannon for the manufacture of ropes, binder twine, 'brushware, etc., from local fibre and consider Shannon with power, • raw material and cheap land admirably suited for the purpose/ but we speak only as laymen, and we would therefore esteem it a great favour if you would give lis your opinion on ithe following questions: (1) If conducted on sound business lines would 1 a small company have a prospect of making it pay; (2) About what capital would be required; (3) If 1 you had capital available would you be. prepared to take shares in such a company. Any other information that you consider may be of use. to us. .We apologise for trespassing- on your 'time, j/ but feel sure you,have the interest of our town and 1 district at heart and.we therefore thank you in anticipation of a reply at your earliest. convenience."

MEDAL FOR SCHOOL. Some lime ago tihe Chamber decided to donate a 1 medal annually to the local school and Messrs Farther and Beard were appointed to interview! the headmaster (Mr Voysey) for a suggestion as to what the award should be made for. At Tuesday night's meeting, ithey, reported they had interviewed both Mr .VOysey and Mr Morgan and they had both iecommended) ;th;e imjedal should:! be given to the boy or girl who obtained the highest number of marks at the pjroflciienc-y (examination. The Chamber agreed to- this recommendav tion and the medal is to be awarded accordingly. v REVISION OF RAILWAY TARIFF. The president, Mr Gunning, referring to the present railway tariff being so .unfair, pointed out that at present certain classes of goods are being carried at a rate whidh. is practically subsidising that particular" industry to the disadvantage of other lines. It means that an exorbitant rate has to be put on these lines to make up lor loss on those that are being carried at practically a £ree rate. As this Was a matter of national importance he moved /that the following remit ffllel feent forward to the annual conference at Auckland, Which the Chamber agreed to:—"That the time is oyierdue for a more equitable revision of the railway tariff. The low and unremunerative rates on class E goods has necessitated unduly heavy .rates on kerosene, benzine and general merchandise, which heavy rates have induced motor competition resulting in the loss of revenue to the railways, and the destruction of roads ' and bridges and consequent heavy local-taxation." ! *. GENERAL.

It was resolved on the motion of Mr Tippler, seconded by Mr Gunning, that a letter be sent to the Horowhenua County Council asking them to put the Foxton road in order from 'the Shannon boundary to the bridge as it is in a. disgraceful condition. Mr Thwaites moved, and Mr Hyde Seconded that the Borough Council, be written to asking When the esti- . mate for cost of drainage in Shannon will be brought down k as promised.— Carried. Resolved that the Chamber become affiliated to the Associated New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, also to ask the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce to represent the Chamber at the conference of Chambers of Gomm|KrcoJ Which is to be held at Auckland on November 21 and 22.