TAUPO BUSINESSMEN'S ANNUAL MEETING

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 99, 11 December 1953, Page 1

TAUPO BUSINESSMEN'S ANNUAL MEETING

MR ANCHOR NEW PRESIDENT There were twenty-six members present at the Taupo Businessmen's Association's annual meeting on Wednesday November 25. Mr G. S. Anchor, Vice-president, presided in tM absehce oi thi President* Mr G. J. Vedders The Annuai iteport showed a membership of fdrty-twd ahd siimmarisied activities of the year such aS deputatiohs to the Towri Board re hawker's liceilses, rubbish removai, pedestriah crossihgs ahd community lighting; approaches to Mr P. Kearins, M.P., for the district on various topics, including A.C. Bath improvements and the state of the Rangitaiki-Taupo section of the Taupo-Napier Highway, and to the P. and T. Department re improved postal and telephone facilities. The balance sheet showed a i credit balance of £16. Mr Anchor's address stressed the town's progress during the past year, the advent of electric .power, the sealing of Tongariro Street, the building of eighteen shops, either finished or under construction, the development of outlying districts and the largely increased valuation of the town. now raised

to borough status. Election of Officers The election of Officers resulted as follows: — Prdsident, Mr G. S. Anchor; Vice-president, Mr W. N Morris; Hon. Secretary, Mr M. L Svensen; Committee, Messrs. I. Logan, G. Marsland, C. S. Currie, J. McDonald, S. Kilford, E. Arbuckle, W. J. Stevens, E. T. Smith, and J. Watson with the retiring President, Mr C. Vedder, . and the retiring Committee Chairman, Mr W. L. Haines as members ex-officio. Auditors, Messrs. Prime and Morel. Taihape Freight Service A letter from the Taihape Chamber of Commerce complained of the unsatisfactory freight service between Taihape and Taupo. Mr Stevens stated that there was no direct service, freight travelling from Taihape via National Park. A member considered the service to National Park most unsatisfactory and unreliable. Mr O'Toole stated that two years ago he had examined possibilities of establishing a direct freight service, andj had considered a tri-weekly service warranted. As nearly all goods from National Park came from points south of Taihape the meeting considered it doubtful if there wefe sufficient business available to support an application for a Taihape service. Holiday Entertainment The Committee had circularised local organisations regarding coordination of functions which they might arrange during the Christ-mas-New Year period. In return for giving publicity to these events the Association asked that 10 per cent of the profits be given to the children's playground fund. To date one reply only had been received. It appeared that little could be done to provide anything similar to last year's carnival. Community Lighting Mr Smith moved that a letter be ; sent to the Borough Council to the i effect that a meeting of retailers . had recommended installation of j Claude Neon Lighting in Tongariro ; Street. He stated that the scat-

1 tered nature of the shopping distriet had made it difficult to arrange for linking up all shops in Tongariro Street. Retirement of Secretary The resignation of Mr C. S. Currie, as honorary secretary, was received with the greatest regret. Mr E. T. Smith moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Currie. It was decided to vote a small sum as a token of gratitude for the large amount of work done by him during his two years as secretary. Tourist Bureau Mr Svensen reported that he had received a visit from Mr Marshall, General Manager, Tourist Dept., who had stated that, though the Department did not like appoint-

ing additional agents, they would be prepared to appoint one in Taupo. Mr Marshall had pointed out that there would be much unremunerative work. Commission was given on outward business only and the bulk of Taupo business would be the supply of local information. This would have to be financed by local effort. Mr Svensen considered that this could be covered by a levy of 1/6 per week on Association members. The President remarked that the scheme would not warrant a levy of that kind which would not be likely to appeal to members. The subject was left in abeyance. The meeting also discussed the result of the poll on the statutory closing day issue. This is reported elsewhere in this issue.