CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 233, 29 October 1903, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

A special ganural meeting of the (Jhambor was h»ld on Wednesday even iog. In the absence of tbe Preeidant (Mr W. Bawlay) tbe Vice-President, Mr W. Ainbury, was in the chair. Apologies were received for the abS3nce of Messrs Paul, Cock, Kdlaey, and Lennon, The Chairman said the special business was to consider the new timetable and other matters. In relation to the time-table he stated that the Tradesmen's Association passe!? several resolutions on the matter, and : had appointed a sub-committee to actj in co-operation with any committee appointed by the Chamber and the public meeting to be held on Thursday, He then indicated the nature of the resolutions as already published. " | Mr Samuel said the Press had been i so active and had so carefully pointed! out the disadvantages of the new time- j tible that it was unnecessary to refer in detail to the subject, Bo moved that a committee be appointed to endeavour to improve the railway service suggested by the Department, bo as to prevent the inconvenience to the public likely to remit f com tbe present proposal He was sorry that Mr Alexander was not p'tsmt, as he noticed that gentlenun bad thrown an aspersion on the Chamber that it was generally considered more properly belonged to the Council; but he complimented Mr Alexander in dexterously catching the missile that should have bit tho Council and diverting it to the Chamber,

Mr Fraser said he could not act on the committee a* ho knew the difficulties the District Managßr had in arranging an improved time-table, and that it wbs impassible to suit, everyone. He looked on ti.e new time-table as an improvement A« there was to be a public meeting he favoured leaving the matter in their bands. With regard to the Chamber being slow, ha considered there was Bomn justißcation for fjr the remark, and that the Chamber was far too slow; but it was not so mufth so as the Council. Mr G'idwatsr considered tho ne* time-table should have a fair trial, but he favoered tha 6 am, train from Wanganui running through to New Plymouth instead of stopping at Strat ■ford, and he was sure that the late train would be of no use.

Mr Johns advocated a pilot train 'eaving here at 6 o'clock for Hawera, so tint the mail train could run later, Mr Goldwater poiot(-d >uj that this proposal had bean,threshed out btfore and oould not be carried out. Mr Johns made other suggestions, which hd advooated. Mr Piton seconded the motion. Mr Ewing considered the suggestions should be as few as possible. He advocated the morning train arriving! at 10.15, and lis considered this oould I be managed by reducing the present delays at stations. He also advooited the afternoon train being run as at pres'.nt. Mr Griffi hs pointed out that although it had been argusd that Mr Whitcombe was thoroughly conversant with railway business, yet ho had evidently sout the circular to elici. discussion and suggsstions. The motion was then carried. It was decided that the Committee consist cf Messrs Mew ton King, Am bury, Johns, and Eftiog. Mr Eraser that it should ha a direction to the, Committee in making suggestions not to jeopardise the new time-table. Mr Goldwater strongly urged the impoi'tvnce of having the morning train to arrive earlier than at preseut.

It was moved by Mr Stmuel that; the Committee already appointed with the addinoti of Messrs F.casw and Goldwater, be appointed to deal with the question of the enlargement of the snoods shed ia consequence of the large addition iu freight. A letter from Mr Burgess was read, in which' he advocated the Harbour Board taking in hand the receiving and distribution of goods, and as alterations at the wharf were contemplated tho present seemed an opportune time for moving«in that direcion, He also dealt with the charge?, with a view to showing that if his proposal was adopted it. should lead to a reduction in freight for country stations. I Mr Fraser said tba* th-i present 3> tate was an oppressive burden. He illustrated how the present sys'eru worked out owing to the goods no' baing sortod at tha wharf. Ho move! that the Council of the Ohambar w«it on the Railway Department, Harbour Board, and shipping eompinies, and urge on them the necessity of p-oviding facilities for sorting cargo at the ship's slings.

Mr Johns printed out; that Nev PlymouMi me:ehnnt3 piid 3s a ton measurement, which meint &i a ton deadweigtir, j;ot i 3< r*t<i do id weight. Mr Samuel p>kt«d out that this matter hud boon dodb wi'.h some time back, arid the Department had painted out tint to c.ny cut the proposed sorting the wharf would have to be very larguly widaned. That was the trouble he fearvd wou'd have to bera>t now, and would involve d large outlay by the Board, which ho feared they iver" sio* likwly u> unttir^ia, Mr P;uh r u.« d ■■hifi another eff'rt should uo nude to bring aHoi!i .<n •<mic>ibln nmtigernont between th" Harbour Board, the railway, and the shipping companies. It was of the »raawst impor'ance 'hit the present burden should be removed.

of importers would be greatly advtnoad. M r Fraser contended that the charge of 3t for sorting at the railway ibid was w istod. It was this that had driven his firm to go to Wait*ra. The prcefieri y of any (,ort d;pen'l"d on harbour i fa; iliti s, n.nd a paltry £IO,OOO wag an ii'n!<j nfiuant pries to pay to gat rid of J uuji liojj.

Mr Morgan aaid that a wharf shed was what was required for sorting, U it was this work that caused delay und expecse. The present system wai driving trade to Wai'ara, acd he eonBide red that pressure should be brought to be tr on the Board to erect a wharf* sued. The Boaid could increase the charges for this sorting work, and he u ged that the Chamber should not prts* the increased goods shed aocomHvidation, but concentrate effort* on wbai f improvements. Mr Samuel urged a new effort being made now, as tLe previous effort was made at an unfortunate time of tensioo, but now the Department was actuated by a desire to aftord the publio [all the facilities it oould. Mr (Samuel's motion was withdrawn and Mr Fraser'a motion was carried. Tbe Chairman, on behalf of Mr O. VV. Govett, moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Bewley, Fraser, Newman, G-org*, and Govett be appointed to confer with and act with the Borough Council and any other publio budies interested in the promotion of tourist traffic. The motion was seconded by Mr Samuel and carried. The Chairman brought up the question of endeavour iog to secure a connection between the mail trains and tbe boats leaving Wellington for south. Mr Gold water pointed out that it was pracuctlly impossible to get the express train accelerated. Mr Morgan said that one of the difficulties was the present contrast with the caterer on thj train, and that until th*t was ended there was little chance cf securing the connection a* tbe time of the Wellington boats oould not be altered. On the motion of Mr Goldwater it was decided that the President and Secretary, with the mover, make overtures to the Dspirtment so as to improve the telephonic communication between New Plymouth and B)uth. A letter was retd from the local manager of .she Union S.B. Company stating that the Compiny would arrange for an interchange of tickets with the Northern Compiny. Mr Fraser moved a hearty vote of thanks to the agents of both Shipping Oomptoies in studying the interest* of the public—Carried. ' Mr Ewing said there appeared to be m impression abroad that the Uhambsr vug a close corporation and did not wish to boa new mem Oars. The Chairman emphikitnlly denied thit there was any truth in the rumour.

Mr Samuel also emphasiiei the faofe -ha- the members were extremely anxious that uvery rf spectacle bueiceM man siiould join th»Ohamber and assist in its work. He was glad to have tha opportunity of contradicting such • alse rumour. As to raising the sub--ciption, th<B was done to p»y exand not in any way to keep out members. The Ohamber adj turned. 1