STRATFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 18, 22 January 1915, Page 7

STRATFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council room in the Fire Brigade Buildings last night, when there were present, Messrs J. B. Richards (president), P. Thomson, A. Grant, P. J. Malone, R. Masters, W. L. Kennedy, W. A. Hewitt (hon. sec.). An apology for absence was received from His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. P. Kirkwood). ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report and balanve sheer (already published in the Post columns) was adopted on the motion of the President, seconded by Mr Malone. THE P>«» SIDEN; b ADDRESS. In the course of a N.ngtby address, in speaking to the adoption of tLe report and balance-sheet, t.ne Prfsiccnr., after referring to the War, said:— Within our district and P-cninio 1. from a commercial sta;iop»' ,Jlt ' *»• have nothing to complain of. The waterways have been kept open ar.ct our products have been safeiy marketed, values being very high. We may perhaps even hope that after the conclusion of the war, Continental markets which have not hitherto been available, will be opened to our products with corresponding buuetit to producers. Financial conditions are at present reasonably satisfactory and it would be unwise to attempt prophecy, nevertheless it is apparent that money will be in great demand in London and Europe for war purposes and to repair damage done bj wn:\ As compensation England maj expect ;o secure great expansion of trade, and may possibly effect some economy by reduction of naval expenditure. "n New Zealand) the value of our exporshould show an increase by virtue Oj enhanced prices and consequently money for trade purposes MicuK; be free. The expected surplus of va'ue of exports over imports must be of great assistance, but the fulfilment of our requirements of borrowed mouthy must be considered doubtful. The Mortgages Extension Act can be regarded only as a palliative, and the result of a return to normal conditions can only lie regarded with grave concern.

! Ohura.—A party of members of the Chamber visited Ohura last autumn, and wore very favorably impressed by the country, its progress and possibilities. The exceeding hospitality enjoy. j ed was liighly appreciated and it was I much regretted that a projected return visit was prevented by the weather I breaking. We trust to have the pleaMire of entertaining our Ohura friends this autumn. Extension of telephone communication from Tahora to Tatt I has been urged upon the Government, ( but so far without success. Efforts should continue in this direction. Land Settlement.—Representations of our Chamber concerning *the Katieke Block have at last borne fruit, and an area of about 6000 acres has all been taken up and is already under , process of clearing and grassing. Settlement of sections aggregating about 3000 acres at Mangapapa has been repeatedly urged, but so far without success. Roading is of course a neces- , sary corollary of successful land set-j-tlomeiit, and the Chamber may safely j and vigorously urge the roading and settlement of other blocks of bush. The assistance of the Chamber was sought by settlers of the Omoana district in urging suitable road connection between Omoana and Douglas railway station. A bridle track has , heen formed, but? this is quite inadequate. The Ohura road having been ( opened right through for wheel traffic and a coach service instituted, the Government was urged without success to establish a mail service. Taranaki Harbours.— At New Plymouth the establishment of anything resembling a regular Home service remains unaccomplished, and except in a few instances transhipment of cargoes still prevails. The arrival of the Walkure was an event of some importance, but the full benefit of the expenditure of public money at Moturoa will not accrue to the public until it becomes possible to arrange direct' shipments to and from New Plymouth >n large or small quantities. At present diroct shipping can only be done by chartering a boat, and it is oh-' vious that the average trader cannot , <lo this but must export and import via Wellington or a similar port and thus incur transhipment. At Patea, considerable developments are pro: posed, and should these ensure safe passage in and out of the por£, considerable economy in coastal shipping may result. Mount Egmont and other Scenic Roserves.-Last summer the Chamber succeeded, with the aid of Madame Bernard, ,n raising £ls fj,s Gd, which was expended for the benefit of the Mountain House and track The County Council and Borough Council contributed nn additional £4 each In conjunction with the two bodies nam*Hl and the Mountain Club representations were made to the Government and a grant of £250 was made for expend.turo on Pembroke Road west This matter should be kept well in view and special efforts made to improve access to the mountain The area of land on the Whanga Saddle suitable for a scenic reserve has been gazetted as such. Mount Egmont, angarakau Gorge, and Whanga Saddle, provide splendid protection for ' New Zealand flora, and these reserves "ill doubtless be a joy lor ever to 1 Taranaki. ■ j Tli" Waterside Strike.—While v the Chamber continues strictly without mrty politics, the circumstances of the strike thr«nt«ned serious loss to ] th* trade and 'fl'ww of 011] . f ]; s . I trict. Tho C'-ambo- *o~>- m «9- ' surest lay in its power to assist the *

hipment cf our produce. Without

de-ire to detract from the airai of any political part;'. I pereene that in n country subject to majority any attempts to forcibly impose the wishes of ii minority on an unwilling majority must remain futile.

Sittings of the Supreme Court. — These should for the 'convenience of tho province bo held in ( Stratford, and continued agitation should be mainL;:i:T.vl until established. .Much time and expense would thus be economised to the benefit of all concerned in Supreme Court business.

Mr Richards spoke strongly on the question of railway construction in Taranaki, and also referred to the production of butter-fat in the Stratford district, both matters being dealt wiili in our columns as separate articles.

In conclusion, he said: I wish to express high appreciation of the courtesy and attention extended to the Chamber by Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., to the energy of the hon. sec, Mr Hewitt, and the committee in dealing with matters brought before them, and also to the Press.

In seconding the motion, Mr Malone congratulated the President on his Fcry able address, and said the best thanks of the district was due to him for the amount of work which he had put into the business of the Cbam-

'jer. Mr Richards had, lie was certain, done more than any other president in his term of office. This was the case, at any rate, especially during the early part of the year in the very important matters which he had had in hand, and when Mr Richards' knowledge of land in the back-blocks was of the utmost value. Personally, said Mr Malone, he had been guided to a large extent by their president, and he iiad no d.mbt other members had been similarly impressed. He had, therefore, very much pleasure in seconding the adoption of tha report—(Hear, hear). The motion vas carried unanimously.

ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. Mr Thomson, in moving that Mr Richards be re-elected, paid a high tribute to their president's work. He said no one was more entitled to the honor of the position, which, after ail, was- no sinecure; there had been a great deal of work to be done, and Mr Richards had justified his position as Chairman of the Chamber. Mr Thomson said he felt sure that the members had every confidence in MiRichards. Mr Malone seconded the motion. Mr Richards said that while he was fully sensitive of the honor sought to be conferred upon him, he was quite prepared to give way to another member, as he was firmly of opinion that it was a mistake to allow usch a position to be considered as a "oneman job." It was easy to get someone to do the work as well as .he had done, and it was a good thing to have an infusion of "new blood." He did not want the idea to get abroad that the Chamber was a one, two, or even a three-man show.

Mr Masters said he would support the motion. There were times when it was not advisable to change their president, and this was one of such occasions. Mr Richards had special knowledge for the position of president and had devoted a very large amount cf time and energy towards it. With all due respect to any other member of Oie Chamber, he would very much like io see Mr Richards accept the position. On being duly Jeclared unanimously re-elected. Mr Richards thanked the members for the honor, which, he said, he thoroughly appreciated and would be quite pleased to do what he could in the interests of the Chamber.

Vice-presidents were elected as follows:—Messrs W. P. Kirkwood (reelected), and It. Masters. Hon. Secretary, Mr H. E. Lawrence. Committee, Messrs W. A. Hewitt, W. L. Kennedy, A. Grant, D. «J.. Malone, P. Thomson, W. H". H. Young, E. Jackson, S. H. James. VOTES OF THANKS. On the motion of the President, votes of thanks were passed to Mr J. B. Hine, M.P. (for attention to the affairs of the Chamber and the courtesy extended); to Mr Hewitt (for his special services as hon. sec); and to the Press (for assistance general, ly in the publication of all matters concerning the Chamber's business). Mr Hewitt briefly returned thanks for the special and hearty vote passed for his services. OUR OHURA FRIENDS. » Regarding the trip to the Ohura by members of the Chamber last year, and the return visit promised by tho Ohura settlers, but which had been unavoidably postponed, a sub-commit-tee, consisting of Messrs Masters and Hewitt, was set up to arrange for an invitation to be sent to Ohura, inviting representatives to visit Stratford and district at an early date, and for the suitable entertainment of the visitors. TAHORA-TATU TELEPHONE. This old-standing question was again liseussed, and, on the motion of Messrs Kennedy and Masters, it was esolved that Mr J. B. Hine, M.P. 'or Stratford, and Mr W. Jennings, I H;P. for Taumarunui, be written to I u'ging their support to the application I I'hieh had been made to have the teleihono line linked up between Tahora nd Tatu.

GENERAL. The question of the metalling of Pembroke Road west to the radius ine was discussed at length in com. nittee, the aspect of the effect upon lie Mountain House traffic and the

raising of the balance required to make up the £250 to add to the Government grant being dealt with in detail. Mr Masters brought up the matter of extra police protection at night in view of recent depredations on certain business premises, and a subcommittee consisting of Messrs Masters and Thomson was appointed to interview the Sergeant of Police, with power to make representation, if desirable, to, the Minister of Justice. The Chamber received, with mixed feelings, the report of the abandonment of the Egmont quarries, upon which, it was stated, the sum of £IBO,OOO. had h-cn expended, now only to find that the quality of the stone was altogether inferior. The usual compliment to the chair closed the meeting.