CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1920, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY MEETING. There was a good attendance of members at the quarterly meeting of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr. T. C. List (acting president) being in the chair. Apologies for non attendance were received from Messrs. E. P. Webster, Newton King, C. H. Burgess, J. D. Sole, and W. H. Besley. The following new members were elected: Messrs. D. C. Morgan, G. Duncan, K. G. Archer, F. Honan. M. O. Butcher, R. S. Wooldridge, R. H. Newbold (State Fire Insurance), J. E. Nixon, Austin Bewley. Ranger (Booth, McDonald), A. L. Humphries, E. H. Humphries, and E. Jackson.

The chairman briefly referred to the work that had been engaging the attention of the Chamber since last meeting, specially referring to that in connection with the train services, the establishment of a direct shipping service, and the development jf the Mokau mines. The work of the Chamber was growing, and the council had thought it advisable to make a levy of 10s 6d per member this year in order to meet' the increased expenses. Mr. G. Fraser submitted an interim report of the deputation's trip to the Mokau coal deposits, stating that the field was a Vei'y promising one. After a full discussion, the coal committee was asked to bring down a full report as early as possible, with recommendations.

Mr. J. T. Griffen brought up the question of shipping charges to New flymouth, some from America being greater than to Napier, a port which was not nearby so safe as Moturoa. Mr. J. R. Craickshank said the extra freight might arise out of certain conditions in the charter. There was no doubt that justice was not being done outside to the New Plymouth port, mentioning that the charts on some of the new vosaels he had been on at Home were dated 1884. What was needed was a re-survey of the coast, the necessity for which he had stressed to tho Harbor Board, which had made representations to the Marine Department on the matter

Others stated New Plymouth port was hardly known in outside nautieal circles, and something, it w«.j urged, should be done to remedy this.

The matter was referred to the shipping committee. The chairman said the coal strike at Home had interfered with their negotiations for initiating the regular quarterly service from the United Kingdom to Hew Plymouth. They hoped to get word any time now as to when a boat would be available.