KAPONGA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1922, Page 6

KAPONGA.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the Kaponga and District Chamber of Commerce was held on. Friday, 10th instant. The chairman (Mr. P. W. Allen) explained that the meeting had been called to decide the question of the advisableness or otherwise of setting up a committee of retailers within the chamber.

Mr. C. S. Hill thought that the committee should be set up. There were many matters which were of vital interest to the shopkeepers but of little moment to z the rest of the members. These matters, the speaker claimed, could best be dealt with by those most interested. Mr. J. Davison supported Mr. Hill. Mr. A. E. Waugh said that, arising out of a meeting of the executive held last, week, he thought there was a danger of the executive becoming the chamber. The idea was that the executive should deal only with matters of routine, and that the major portion of the chamber’s business should be dealt with at general meetings. He agreed with the previous speakers in that he thought a retailers’ committee would prove a great aid in the decision of minor matters.

Mr. Harding pointed out that the retailers were already well represented on the executive.

Mr. W. B. Fearon said that at the initial meeting to form the present Chamber of Commerce one. of, the strongest arguments brought forward was that something broader than a tradesmen’s association was required. He took it that they were there, not to get what they could for their individual businesses, but to form a body with a united purpose to advocate any measure that seemed to be for the benefit of the town and district. It had been said that the retailers should deal with the question of holidays. The speaker failed to see that that question was one for the retailers any more than for the rest of the members. He had listened to much talk on the subject of this internal committee, but he had not heard a single thing mentioned in its favor that could not be discussed by the full chamber. He was, therefore, absolutely opposed to the proposal.

The chairman pointed out that if there were differences of opinion on matters dealt with by the executive, any five members (according tt> the rules) could have a general meeting summoned. Mr. Hill stated that he had not come to the meeting with the idea of forcing his views upon the members. In his opinion it was best to discuss the matter openly and settle it. As a member of the chamber it was his wish to see the town flourish, not only for the tradespeople but for the farmers.

Mr. H. B. Gibson expressed himself as a strong opponent of the suggestion to give a committee of retailers any powers whatever within the chamber.

Mr. Davison saiti that the problem was a difficult one, and not likely to be settled that night. He therefore moved that the matter be dropped. This was seconded and carried.

Mr. Fearon moved that cards be printed and exhibited in the various business places as follows: “The proprietor of this business is pledged under the rules of the Kaponga and District Chamber of Commerce not to subscribe to any appeal unless the consent of the chamber has been previously obtained.”—Carried.

At the request of the Town Board and the dairy company it was decided to take the initiative in arranging a suitable function for the official opening of the new auxiliary electric power station. It was pointed out that the capacity for supplying current was very much greater than was generally supposed. Re closing on St. Patrick’s Day.—lt was decided that no action be taken.

Mr. Betts moved that the secretary be instructed to write to the Underwriters’ Association, asking for a reduction in insurance rates, on the ground that Kaponga had: (1) A good water supply and pressure; (2) an efficient Fire Brigade.—Carried.

FOOTBALL MEETING. In connection with the annual report of the Kaponga Football Club the secretary wishes to express his regret at the inadvertent omission from the report of the names of the widow and family of the late Mr. Cecil Evans from the list if those to whom expressions of the club’s sincere sympathy were offered. For the coming season the following gentlemen have donated medals as follows: Senior, Mr. J: Gardner; junior, Mr. J. Kehely; thirds, Mr. P. Horgan; foqrths, Mr. J. Kissick. The combined ball to be held on Friday, 17th instant, by the Football and Hockey Clubs promises to be one of the most successful functions of its kind held here. The prompters are supported by a strong ladies’ committee, and, given a fine night, the hall is bound to be well filled. TENNIS. On Saturday the local tennis club journeyed to Opunake to try conclusions with the seaside club. An enjoyable afternoon was spent by all, especially by those ladies who took the opportunity of combining a dip in the Tasman with the more strenuous work of the courts. Following are the scores, Opunake being mentioned first:

Men’s Singles.—F. Edmonds 7 beat Fitz--geraid 5; C. O. Edwards 5 lost to Des Forges 7; Farter 7 beat Severne 3; Baeyertz 0 lost to Lloyd 7; Hughson 7 be'at Fearon 2. Ladies’ Singles.—Miss Trotter 7 beat Mrs. Ryan 3; Miss McLean 1 lost to Mrs. Hili 7; Mrs. Hammond 3 lost to Mrs. Lyall 7; Miss Brunette 2 lost to Mrs. Severne 7. Men’s Doubles.—Edmonds brothers 7 beat Fitzgerald and Des Forges 4; Farrer and Baeyertz 2 lost to Severne and Moss 7; Hughson and Trotter 1 lost to Lloyd and Fearon 7. Ladies’ Doubles.—Misses Trotter and Chambers 3 lost to Miss Lees and Mrs. Ryan 7; Mrs. Hammond and Miss McLean 4 lost to Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Severne 7Miss Pease and Miss Brunette 1 lost 10 Mrs. Lyall and Mrs. Cleland 7. Opunake, 74 games; Kaponga, 124.