MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3002, 26 September 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL MEETINGS.

The quarterly meeting of the Council of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday afternoon. There wpre present:—Messrs T. G. Mason (in the chair), Chamberlain, V. Donald, J. B. Keith, J. C. Ewington, M. Caselberg, F. W. Carey, C. Graham, J. D. Cruickshank, A. Henderson, C. E Daniell, and E. H. Waddington. Several apologies for absence were received. The Treat-urer leported a credit balance of JEII 15s 9u. A letter was read from the Chief Inspector of Stock stating that it was intended to recommend that a sum be placed on the supplementary estimates for importing birds likely to be of assistance in suppressing injurious birds, but it wad impossibe to say whether bam owls would be among the birds chosen for the purpose.—The letter was received. The annual meeting was then held, Mr Wynn-Williams being the only other member present. The annual report was then dealt with. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet, thanked membeis for the great assistance given to him during the year as President. In referring to the work done by the Chamber during the year he mentioned particularly the consummation of the continuous telephone service, which be believed would be a greatly appreciated innovation. The northern approach improvement, a very necessary work, seemed also within measurable distance, and its accomplishment would be a source of gratification to the I Chamber. Speaking of the Masterton to Waipukurau railway, via Pongarua, the speaker said he was surprised how real an interest had been manifested by the Government authorities in the matter, and a great ad- j vance had been made in the furtherance of the project. Regarding the ] opening up of the Whareama river j resort satisfactory progress, had also to be recorded in Masterton. The other matters contained in the annual report were also dealt with by the Chairman, who paid a tribute to Mr Hogg for his valuable assistance to the Chamber whenever such was invoked. Mr Mason said he hoped the Chamber would continue to take an active interest in the welfare of the town, as it was the key to the future of Masterton,, and the representations of Ofoamtoere of Commerce throughout the Dominion were admittedly of weight with the authorities. He urged co-operation of members most' particularly in the furthering of industrial matters. Mr Cruickshank seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr Daniell, in speaking to the motion, remarked particiaflarily on the consummation of the continuous telephone service, which he thought was a very congratulatory matter, and he complimented the eK-Pradideat (Mr J. D. Cruickshank) on his efforts if. connection with the matter. In reference to the northern approach he hoped the Chamber would dojti very utmost to urge on the carrying- oat of this work. Mr Daniell spoke at Length on the necessity for the pushing on of the Masterton-Pongaroa-Waipukurau railway scheme, as not merely a local necessity, but a colonial one, as it would open up such a vast and valuable area of country. Referring to the railway service between Masterton and Wellington, he considered it was impardonable that the service now should ba less convenient as regarded time than it v. as twenty-five years ago'. The speaker exprtesed a hope that when the Government did contemplate erecting offices for its departments in Masterton it would put up a substantial buildinc, which would not need continual improvement and alteration. The following officers were elected %ox the ensuing year: —President, Mr G. C. Sumnierell; Vice-President, Mr J. B. Moodie; Council, Messrs F. W. 'Cttrev. M. Caxelberg. E. E. Chamber Uin,'W. B. Chenneils, J. D. Cruhkshaok, C. E. Daniell, D. Donald, J. C, Ewington, C. Graham, J. B. Keith, H. C. L. Robinson, E. H. Waddington, A. Hendarson, Wynn-Wil-HarawandT. Wagg; Auditor,'Mr W. B. Chenneils,