MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8518, 24 August 1907, Page 7

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MEETING OP COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Council of the Mastertdh Chamber of Commerce was held in Messrs Abraham and Williams' Farmers' Room, yesterday afternoon. There were present—Messrs J. D. Cruickshank {chairman), J. Graham, T. G. Mason, J. B. Moodie, J. C. Ewington, W. B. Chennells, E. H. Waddington and G. C. Sumrnerell. Apoloiges for absence were received from Messrs E. E. Chamberlain F. VV. Carey, B. J. Dolan, J. B. Keith and H. C. _Robinson. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £3 16s sd. Mr T. Ronayne, General Manager ■of the New Zealand Railways, forwarded a reply to the Chamber's letter urging that a larger crane should bs provided at the Masterton ■Railway Station. The letter stated that the Minister of Railways had directed Mr Ronayne to inform the CJaamber that a careful examination of the traffic during the last six months had shown that only on four occasions had packages of over two tons required to be handled at that station, and as a five-ton travelling crane was available at short notice, the provision of a stronger crane was not considered a very urgent matter, and in view of the many more important and urgent works in hand or awaiting funds, the Minister regretted that he could not see his way to accede to the Chamber's request. In - regard to the special case , referred to Mr Ronayne was directed to inform the Chamber that only four hours were occupied in unloading the package from the truck, and this was t) a great extent due to the inexperi- j e.ice of the persons engaged in hand- I Jing such packages. The case could hive been dealt with much more ex- j piditiously if the travelling crane ! had been ordered. j The Secretary of the Masterton Technical School wrote thanking the Chamber for the sympathetic re-' sponse made on behalf of the scheme j f>r the inauguration of a new Technical School for Masterton. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., forwarded a letter from Sir J. G. Ward, Minister of Railways, in reference to the Chamber's represent- j ations regarding the improvements J nacessary at the Masterton Railway j Station. The Minister stated that the j question of re-arranging the station | been under consideration for J sW&time past, but as the work was ' oie which would involve a consider- ; able expenditure it had necessarily j to stand over until funds were avail- ] able. Arrangements had, however, J been made to carry out very consider- ' able improvements to the station j yard during the current financial ; year. - j It was resolved to thank Mr Hogg ; for the trouble he had taken in the j matter. j The Wellington Chamber of Corn- j merce, in reply to a communication ' from the Masterton Chamber of Com- ; merce, in reference to the proposed ; duty on iron pipes, stated that they • had also objected to the duty and had | suggested that the tariff should only j be brought to bear on rivetted pipes, i The Minister of Customs wrote ' acknowledging the resolution of the j Chamber protesting against the pro- \ posed duty on iron pipes, and said the matter was now under consider- j ation. ! The Secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce forwarded a ! list of suggested amendments to tho ' Bankruptcy Act, and asked the local j Chamber's support in connection therewith. It was decided to acknow- ' ledge the letter, and to inform the 1 Auckland Chamber of Commerce ' that the Government had announced ' that there was no chance of any ■ amendment to the Bankruptcy Act; being made this session, and further that the matter was receiving the ' consideration of the Chamber. ' The Chairman reported that he, I in company with-three delegates from Pongoroa, and Messrs A. W. Hogg ' and R. B. Ross, M's.H.R., had waited on the Minister of Railways ' in reference to the matter of better communication with Waipukurau, j and the surrounding district. The Minister had stated that no Bill would , b3 brought before Parliament this year but the matter would be carefully considered next year The Minister had promised to get the Department to have a report drawn up on the proposed railway line to Waipukurau. The Chairman and Messrs Chennells, Sumrnerell and Moodie were appointed a Committee to draw up a report in reference to the fixing of a standard commission in Masterton for land and stock sales, and to submit it to the next meeting of the Chamber.