CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 827, 29 September 1906, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OF COUNCIL,

The monthly meeting of the Council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. There were present—Messrs. D. Donald (chairman), 3, D. Crniofcshank, E. E. Chamberlain, F. W. Carey, B. J. Dolan, T. G. Mason, C.> E. Daniell, M. Case]berg, and K. T. Holmes. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs E. H. Waddiugtoa, G. C. Summerell, and J. B. Keith. The Treasurer reported a or. balanoe of £lO 14s lid. The Secretary of the General Post Office wrote with regurd to the Chamber's request that the mail, wbioh oow closed at the local Post Office at 2.30 p.m., should close at a later hour; also that the telegraph office should be kepi open between the hoars of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ihe circumstances connected with the despatch of the afternoon mail train for Wellington were not simi lar to those at Palmerston North, and did not allow of the mails be'wx kept back till as near the departure uf the train as at Palmerston North. In the case of the latter plane the distance between the post office and railway station was shorter than at Masterton, and the one mail x bag despatched by the 3.37 p.m. train from Palmerston North oontained only local postings, no correspondence received from other offices in the district; having to be inoluded. At Masterton, however, a train leaves at 3.26 p.m., wbioh conveys mails for Pahiatua, Woodville, Dannevirke, and Palmerston North, and these mails require io be despatched from She post office simultaneously wich those for the express train leaving at 3.30 p.m. for Wellington. By the latter train, mails made op for the travelling post office and the Carterton and Featherston offices were also sent. The Masterton railway station being three-quarters of a mile from the post offioe, the mail contractor required at least twenty minutes in whiob to reach the station and put the mails on the respective trains, as it was neoessary that tbe mails for tbe train for the north i should be carried across the line to the place where the train was standing before the express for the south arrived at tbe platform. It was regretted that under the circumstances no change oould be made in tbe existing arrangements. With regard to the request that the Masterton telegraph office should be kept open between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the letter stated that the amount of business transacted between those hours did not warrant the office being kept open. Moreover, the desired extension would entail expenses for an extra staff. The Postmaster General regretted, therefore, that he was unable to meet the wishes of the Chamber in the matter at present.—ltwas decided to thank the Postal Department for their letter. Mr A. C. Major was eleoted a member of tbe Chamber. 1 ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Chamber of Commerce was afterwards held. Mr D. Donald oooup ed the chair, and there were about eleven members present. In moving tbe adoption of the annual report, the Chairman toaohed briefly on tbe matters that had been before tbe Chamber during the past year. He dealt ohiefly with the question of establishing a meat-freezing and packing works in Masterton. He thought that a committee should be formed to meet a committee from the A. and P. Association and aisousa tbe matter. About £50,000 would be required to establish freezing works in the district. If they were established the speaker felt sure that support would be forthcoming from places as far north as Woodville. Mr Cruickshank seconded tbe motion. Mr Oaselberg did not think there was room in Masterton for a freezing works. He also thought there would be some difficulty in raising the money in the distriot for establishing the works. Mr Mason agreed with the Chairman's remarks, ai,d added that Masterton should not "sit (tight" and see tbe Empire City "scooping the pool." Mr Daniell thought that the Masterton abattoir oould be made use of in a small way to start the meat freezing works. He thought the Borough Council might lend tbe present plant at the abattoir, and if a small freezing plant wer« erected the industry oould be started. Tbe report and balanoe sheet were adopted. The officers for the ensuing year were eleoted as follow:—President, Mr J. D. Cruiukshank; Vice President, Mr T. G. Mason; Council, Messrs!* 1 . W. Caioy, M. Oaselberg, E. E. Chamberlain, W. B. Ohennells, 0. E, Daniell, B. J. Dolan, H. 0. Robinson, J. 0. Ewington, 0. Graham, R. T. Holmes, J. B. Kelts,. D. Donnld, J. B. Moodie, G. C. Summerell, and E. 11. Waddington; Auditor, Mr W. B. Ohennells. The Chairman moved that a committee, consisting of Messrs Carey, Donald,Oruiokahank nud Summerell, be appointed to go into the matter of the establishment of freezing works,in Masterton, and that the A. and P. Association be asked to form a committee to meet the above committee in tbe matter. Mr Oruiokahank seoonded tne motion, wbioh was carried. Mr Dolan moved—■'•That as tbe Government owns sufficient ground In Masterton to provide a site for the proposed new Courthouse, without the necessity for completing the negotiations for exchange between the Government and the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees, the Chamber urges the expediency (iu tbe event of such negotiations not being speedily completed) of proceeding with the erection on the sites now occupied by tbe present Courthouse, the old County Council Chambers : and the Technical School." Mr Robinson seoonded the motion, which was carried. A vote of thanks to the retiring president, the auditor, and Messrs Abraham and Williams for tbe use of their room couuiuded tbe meeting.