ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1922, Page 6

ELTHAM.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) August 22. The annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night, Mr. J. Taylor presiding over a fair attendance. The annual report has already been published. The secretary (Mr. Bilton) read the balance sheet, which showed that the total receipts for the year ended July 31 were £35 3s 9d, and the balance in hand £l2 13s 2d. The nightwatchman’s account showed total receipts of £202 4s lOd, and after paying wages and sundry accounts, a balance of £lB 5s lid remained. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. I. J. Bridger; vicepresident, Mr. E. Clare; secretary and treasurer, Mr. Bilton; council, Messrs. R. Payne, C. L. Wilson, R. Gow, T. Fountaine, O. Manley, G. E. P. Fitzgerald, and C. A. Wilkinson; auditor, Mr. J. Sheet. Messrs. Payne and Bilton were elected members of the chamber. The chairman said there had apparently been dissatisfaction with the nightwatchman’s duties. He explained that the amount of £3l 3s could not be collected from dissatisfied subscribers, some o£ whom objected to contribute on account of the fees being handled by the Chamber oi Commerce. This amount would have to be written down to profit and loss. One of those who had refused to pay was present, and stated that his reason for not subscribing was ■ that a resolution had been carried 18 months ago to the effect that subscriptions to the nightwatchman’s fund be paid into a separate trust account with the P.O. Savings Bank. This, he maintained, bad not been done, and he wanted to know why. The chairman explained that the instruction had been carried out so far as it had been practicable, and stated that a separate account was being kept at the Bank of Australasia. The chairman considered that the time was ripe for a higher remuneration for the nightwatchman. At present his salary was £4 per week, and as he was a very vigilant officer a bigger salary would be necessary to retain his services. Some discussion took place as to the chamber’s authority to appoint and dismiss nightwatchmen, and it was ultimately resolved that it be a recommendation to the incoming council to set up a sub-commit-tee, to include two non-members, but who are subscribers to the nightwatchman’s funds, to have control and deal with the. matter, and also go into the matter of increasing the nightwatchman’s salary. Mr. Bridger, chairman of thS Progress Committee, stated that his committee was willing to join up with the Chamber of Commerce on certain lines. The former had not interfered with the working of the chamber, but were practically followerg the same lines. Mr. Wilkinson thought there were many difficulties to overcome before an amalgamation would prove practicable. It was decided to refer the matter to the incoming council for consideration and action.

Mr. Carman stated that the chamber should watch very carefully the proposed alteration to the mail train time-table. The suggestion that the Eltham stop should be cut out would not be appreciated, and he considered that the council should look into the matter at an early date, and approach the local member of Parliament to interview the railway authorities with a view to obtaining an assurance that the stop would not be cut out.