OTAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Shannon News, 19 April 1927, Page 4

OTAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ANNUAL MEETING. , The annual meeting of the Otaki I Chamber of Commerce was held on Monday night, Mr. H. N. Eearnley (President) presiding. There was a good attendance, especially considering the ratepayers' meeting and counter attractions also at To Horo and Manakau. It was decided that the Chamber donate the sum of £s'to the funds of the Otaki Brass Band, and will review the position of the Chamber at Christmas time with a view to making a further donation. Apologies for absence were received froin Messrs Lowry, Broadway, Beauchamp, Hawk, Atmore, and Miles. The resignation of Mr. W. H. Reynolds was received with regret. A grant of £.l Is was made to Mr. Melntyre (auditor) in appreciation of services. Three were nominated as members. The President presented his annual report, as follows: — "Gentlemen, I have pleasure in presenting to you the annual report for the year ended March 31st, 1927. It. is gratifying to be able to report that the Chamber continues to make progress and to fulfil a useful service to our community. We commenced the year with a membership roll of 36. 6uring the year 16 new members were enrolled whilst six members resigned owing to departure from the. district. The membership roll at the present moment is therefore 40. Our iirfanees are in a healthy state as indicated by the balance-sheet. During the past year your Chamber has devoted its attention to many matters of urgency for the betterment of Otaki. Of- outstanding importance in this respect has been the sustained effort in conjunction with the Mayor and townspeople to secure rhc retention and re-equipping of our local hospital. Unfortunately this matter is still unsettled and I earnestly re- ' commend to you that your efforts be continued and redoubled until full success is achieved. Your Chamber has been successful in securing better conditions at the Railway station for the loading of stock at night, and also an improved, approach to the goods yard. There is reason to hope that at an early .date the lighting of the station itself will be brought up to date, as has been frequently urged by this Chamber. It was owing to representations made by this Chamber, and through the public spirit of one of your members, that the approach to the racecourse has been improved, and a dangerous corner has boon greatly widened. The thanks of the Chamber, and of the community generally, arc due to Mr. Len Ivilmister for his generous and public spirited action in this matter. Your Chamber, working in conjunction with Mr. Byron Brown, has discussed the possibility of persuading manufacturers to establish factories in Otaki. A sub-committee was appointed- to go into this matter and is still engaged in considering possibilities in this direction. "In conclusion, gentlemen, I, would thank you, one and all, for the loyal 1 ' and sympathetic support you havo accorded me during my year of office. Especially I would thank bur secretary, , Mr. Looser, for the efficient manner in which he has performed his duties. It is largely due to his energy and en- '•■ thusiasm that the Chamber has main- : tained during the year its standard of i usefulness to our'community. To Mr. • Morse also our thanks are due for pro- , viding us with accommodation at short notice on more than one occasion, Our " future, gentlemen, is in our own hands. 1 By attending the monthly meetings ■ whenever possible by bringing to the » notice of the Chamber matters that re- , quire attention, and by taking part in i the discussions and debates, in this way and only in this way can the Chamber become an ever increasing force for the ' advancement of the best interests of ■ Otaki. Yours faithfully, N. FEARN- • LEY. : The following were elected offiecrs: — I Patron. Mr. E..S. Morse; president. Mr. A. W. Broadway; Vice-president. Mr. J. McGill; Secretary, Mr. E. ' Looser; Assistant Secretary, Mr. Buick; ■ Executive, Messrs A. L. Moore, A. 6. ' Allan, H. N. Eearaley, L. Kilmister, and . Stan Moffatt. ..