CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1829, 9 December 1873, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

At the annual meeting of the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce, held yesterday, the President, Mr Calder, in referring to the doings of the Chamber during the year just ended, spoke of its endeavors to get tbe English mail brought direct to tbe Bluff, and expressed a belief that tbeir wish in that respect would be ultimately gratified. Speaking of tbe tariff, he said it was still an excessive one, and he hoped to see it yet further reduced. Referring to the BlufF wharf, he said tbat the storage for merchandise was insufficient; but the Provincial Government was erecting a large shed at the junction of the Bluff, Invercargill, and Mataura railways, and it would afford magnificent storage-room. Speaking of railways, Mr Calder urged adherence to tbe present gauge of the Bluff line, as a broad gauge afforded greater facilities for heavy traffic than a narrow one; and be believed that the fact that the Bluff railway was paying better than tbe Port Chalmers one waa in a great measure traceable to the difference in the gauge of the two linos. He thought that the Government had acttd unwisely in refusing to grant, in accordance with the desire of the Chamber, a sum of money for the erection o'f a storage shed at Winton. He believed that the Invercargill Chamber of Commerce discharged ita I duties very well, and consequently it t should be attended and supported. As regarded himself, Mr Calder siid tbafc ho had been frequently elected President, and he thought there should now be a change. The financial statement showed a balance to the credit of the Chamber of £23 13s Gd. Mr Pratt was elected President, and Mr Gibbs Vice-President for the ensuing year Mr Nutter was reelected secretary and treasurer, Messrs Yule and Macrorie were appointed auditors; and Messrs Blacklock, Harvey, Stock* Macdonald, and Matheson members ot committee.