CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1940, Page 4

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

stratford's busy year REPORT BY PRESIDENT

A year, notable for its diverse and successful activities, is reviewed in the report to be presented to the 30th annual meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce to-night by the president, Mr. F. T. Hale. The report reveals that the Stratford chamber is ready to meet any calls made upon it in the coming year. "Our letter in August, 1939, to the district traffic manager of railways, Wanganui, requesting that the building scheme for cars on the New PlymouthWellington express train be kept under way, has bome fruit," states the report. New cars of the latest type were now running, though the war situation had caused delay in the delivery of essential material, it was stated. "In regard to the Tangarakau GorgeOhura Road, due to slips in the back country and the discontinuing of the nightly passenger train service out east, work in this direction was curtailed," continues the report. "Your executive has kept the matter of the removal of the goodshed and trucking yards before them, and notwithstanding the unsettled times, it is believed that the Minister of Railways and his general manager contemplate visiting Stratford in this connection in the near future. "We have read a good deal in the newspapers in connection with the petrol restrictions. and it would appear as if your executive can do nothing further to assist in altering the existing conditions. "We commenced the year with a credit balance of £24 8s 9d and closed with a credit balance of £28 9s lOd. There are no outstanding subscriptions, the secretary having collected the full amounts for two years in succession, which must constitute a record. The membership now stands at 49 members, compared with 52 in the previous year, a decline due to three members having left the district. Owing to war and the unsettled conditions it was found impossible to arrange another mid-day luncheon and address by a prominent visiting speaker. "During the year Mr. C. E. Scott, postmaster, retired on superannuation and left to reside at Auckland, also Mr. J. C. Allen, late local manager of the National Bank. retired on superannuation and departed to live at Auckland. Both gentlemen were thanked for their services to the councih The executive extended a welcome to Mr. F. P. Cleary, the new postmaster. » "Eleven meetings were held during the year, compared with six in the previous year. Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., has fully cooperated with the executive during the past year in matters of importance to the town and district, and our thanks are expressed to him. To the outgoing executive, honorary auditor, and to all those who offered suggestions and advice in the interests of the chamber, I tender my sincere thanks," concludes the report.