CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 140, 9 December 1911, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

QUARTERLY MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the above was held last evening. Mr. S. W Shaw (president) was in the chair, and about 18 members were present. • NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were e!ected:-Messrs. T. Furlong, jun., J. McLeod (Hooker & Co.), E. Johnson, L. A. -Nolan (Nolan & Co.), E. S. A. Pearson Lmon S.S. Company), L. C. Sladden (Sladden & Palmer). THE HINTERLAND. Mr. A. Barnett, Waitewhena, Ohura, wrote m reference to opening up the hinterland of North Taranaki district, and stating that he noticed the Chamber of Commerce had been in communication with the Government with reference to the Panarau-Waitewhena road between Mangaroa and the Mokau river, and that the Crown Lauds Commissioner had decided that the scheme was impracticable on account of the cost of grading and metalling. The president said he thought it would be better to wait until things got settled. No doubt if a fresh survey were made a road could be made, which would be of importance to New Plymouth.

It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. King and Ambury, that Mr. Barnett be thanked for his 'letter, and that the president and Messrs. Penn and Johns be a committee to go into the matter. RAILWAY TO OPUXAKE. A letter was read from Mr. W. B. Davies, statin-,' there were a number of people, both in the town and the country, who would like the Chamber, as a representative -body, to advocate a light lino of railway to Opunake by the inland route. He felt assured that if the matter were taken up by that body it would lead to good results. Timber and firewood, he pointed out, were both scarce and dear in Xew Plymouth, and ten miles from our doors the greater part, of it was wasted. He hoped the Government could be induced to make a survey. The distance from New Plymouth is thirty miles.

Some of the members thought it would be a step in the right direction, and would be beneficial to New Plymouth. Others were of opinion that it would be better if the line were taken along the east const to Opnnake, as the inland route would not go through enough populous countrv.

Mr. Newton King considered the matter was worth more than passing notice. The motor 'bus service had been a failure, but it was necessary to nave some cheap and easy method to get goods along the coast. He considered that five-horse teams were doing more harm to the roads than motors.

It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. King and Eraser, that a committee, consisting of the president and Messrs. Fraser, Griffiths and Johns, wait uik.t the Taranaki County Council to point out that now the harbor is Hearing completion the advisability of having, if possible, first-class .-arterial roads constructed to enable motor traffic in some form or another for the cheap conveyance of goods from the harbor to intermediate country. . TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION. Mr. Dryden. Chief Postmaster, wrote informing the Chamber of Commerce that as soon as a permanent office is established at Awakino, all offices between New Plymouth and Te Kuiti will be able to hold telephonic communication with each other. Settlers at Awakino had given the site for the office, and he hoped to see a permanent office proceeded with early in the New Year, so that the compliance with the request should not be far distant. HALF-HOLIDAY. Rome discussion took place on the question of a uniform half-holiday for the province of Taranaki, but it was pointed out that there was no correspondence before the meeting on the matter. Mr. Baker said the Employers' Association was divided, and the people in towr. had signed to the effect that if there were a uniform day in Taranaki, 56 favored Saturday, and 34 Thursday. There seemed to be a difference of opinion among the members as to whether the meeting was in order in discussing it, some arguing that the Chamber was not representative of the retailers, and that the Chamber of Commerce had not been invited to attend the Stratford conference. Some of the members considered that it was understood that the Chamber had been invited to take a part in the matter. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Ambury and the president, that as the date for fixing the half-holiday, is approaching, this Chamber requests the Employ-era' Association to endeavor, with other centres, to arrange a uniform half-holiday for the province.