STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1922, Page 7

STRATFORD.

STBATFQRD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should he left at the office of our local representatives, Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with theai. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. February 8,. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held last night. Mr. J. B. Richards (President) occupied the chair. School Children Inconvenienced. The chairman said that the district traffic manager had been written to with regard to the inconvenience which the alteration of the departure of the northbound train in the afternoon would cause to school pupils, and a reply had been received that the matter would be considered. Mr. Boon said that the alteration was most inconvenient to the High School. They had expected a dozen new pupils from Inglewood, but only two had arrived so far. The deputation wished tp know if the school committee could help the chamber in any way. It was a serious matter for the school. Mr. Pinhey said that the alteration was a big inconvenience for people who left the train at Norfolk Road when they wished to come into town for business, Mr. Malone said that the Mother Superior of the Catholic convent school wished him to say that the alteration had affected the school, to he extent of. 43 children. It would be inadvisable for the children to be hanging about until half-past five- in the winter time. Mr. Boon said that the matter whs affecting the primary schools to a much greater extent than it affected the high school.

Mr. Kirkwood said it was an important matter which could not be delayed, 5 and h/ would move that a committee, * consisting of Messrs. J. B. Richards, D. 1 J. Malone and P. Thomson, «be set up ; to take all the steps they consider neces--1 sary to improve conditions, i The motion was carried. Mr. Boon suggested that the schools ■ ami chamber write separately to the 1 Department, which would help the con- ! certed representation to the department. Scenic Reserves. Mr. R. Masters, M.P., enclosed a letter from the Hon. D. H. Guthrie with, reference to the chamber’s representations regarding the setting apart of scenic reserves, and stating that the matter was being considered with a view to determining what should be set aside for forest reservations and scenic reserves. The chairman referred to the danger of the beautiful scenery along the Tangarakau Gorge being spoiled by the establishing of a State forest reservation, and he moved that the Minister should be again written to and asked what ha 1 been done.—Carried. The Stratford Main Trunk. The chairman said that it had been decided to bring up the matter Of the Main Trunk railway at the meeting. Mr. Macalister said that the main thing was the pushing on of the road. The railway people now admitted that they were being beaten by road transport, and the road, which would not cost nearly as much as the railway, should be pushed on. There would be no chance of getting a railway through for ten years. Mr. Kirkwood said that they should never allow the railway proposal to drop. They had been working at dt for years. There was now to be a survey of the route for the railway, and this would be a big step to the laying of a line. He moved that the chamber notes with pleasure that there is to be a permanent survey of the Stratford-»-Ohura line beyond the Tahora section, and hopes that there will be no delay in progressing with the work. The chairman said that they were more likely to get the survey done now because in the retrenchment scheme the Government had to hold its permanent survey officers, and they, not being engaged in constructive work, would be available for the survey. After* further discussion the motion was carried.

New Post Qffice.

The chairman brought forward the matter of’ the proposed new post office for Stratford.

Mr. Thomson said that the Minister did' not intend to build .any new'post offices.- - - ' - ■

Mr. Kirkwood said that the postal business could not ‘be conducted properly in such a building as they had at present. It was a scandal they should have to put up with such conditions as prevailed at present. They should demand improvements whilst still pressing for a new building. Mr. Malone said that the building was not big enough for a village. The manner in which the business had to be carried on was a scandal.

Mr. Richards said that the last communication the chamber had received stated that the lowest tender received was very much above the Government architect’s estimates, but instructions had been given that building conditions should be tested early in the present year with a view to calling further tenders. Under the circumstances they were in order in inquiring as to when building conditions would be tested. Mr. Kirkwood said that the office should carry on its postal business in temporary premises and leave the rest of the office for other business.

Mr. Richards moved that the Post-master-General be communicated with and urged to again call for tenders.— Carried. The Railway Break.

Mr. Thompson moved: “That, while appreciating the work of the Railway Department in the rapid reconstruction of the Whenuakura bridge, this chamber expresses great disappointment at the utter lack of appreciation by the management jf the department of its duty to the travelling public in failing to organise and carry on the checking and through carriage of luggage, and also the satisfactory conveyance of passengers, and that the resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister and Minister of Railways.” Mr. Thomson added that the whole management was a disgrace to the Gov-* ernment, and had a private company managed things so .‘badly the Government would have been up in arms against it.

Mr. Kirkwood said that the most serious aspect of the break was the fact that the break was discovered by one of the officials' on the train.

The chairman said that they wanted a change in the railway time-table, and did not want to get the Department’s ‘ back up.”

Mr. Macalister supported the motion, He. thought that the matter should be taken up not only 'by the chamber, but by every other local* body. Mr. Macdonald thought it inadvisable to send such a resolution.

The chairman said that an unusna' occurrence had taken place. The De partment had reconstructed the, bridge with admirable promptness. Mr. Macalister: “Promptness! I’ve seen an army bridge constructed in twenty-four hours which would carry heavy guns. Slow is all you can cail

The chairman said that that was not his opinion. He thought that the. bridge was constructed with admirable promptness, and though the management might have made better provision for the public, he thought it unwise to send forward such a resolution.

Mr. Malone referred to the great inconvenience to which travellers were put. Whilst such a resolution might prejudice their chances in another direction, he thought that public bodies should take notice of such occurrences. The motion was put to the meeting and lost. Messrs. Thomson, Malone and Macalister voted for, and Messrs. Richards, Macdonald. Kirkwood and Martin against, Mr. Mclnnes having previously retired. British Trade Ships. Mr. Thomson moved: “That the New Plymouth Harbor Board and the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce be asked to consider the question of inviting the committee in London in charge of the British Trade ship which is due in New Zealand waters a'bout the end of 19g3 or early in 1924, to include New Plymouth in the ship’s itinerary, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Harbor Board and Taranaki Chamber of Commerce.”—Carried.

School stationery can can bought at reasonable prices at Wilson Bros.’ agency of the Daily News in Stratford. School pads, 50 ruled pages. 3 for 1/6; 100 ruled pages, 3 for 2/fl ;exercise books, SO ruled pages for 7d each. Also commercial stationery of all kinds at Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford,,