CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3125, 27 February 1909, Page 5

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Mastertou Chamber of Commerce was held in Messrs Abrahams and Williams, Ltd., rooms yesterday afternoon. There were present Messrs G. C. Summerell (Ohairman), T. Wagg, J. B. Keith, A. Henderson, C. Graham, M. Caselberg, E. E. Chamberlain, D. Donald. A letter was received from Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.P., expressing the opinion that in view of ths large expenditure for increased railway accommodation at Cross Crtec incurred by the Government, there did not appear to be much probability of the deviation of the line via Martinborough. The Hon. A. W. Hogg wrote acknowledging the receipt of -the Chamber's resolution congratulating him on his appointment to the Ministry. A petition was received from the various cabmen and expressmen asking the Chamber to interest itself in bringing about an alteration in the time of arrival of the FalmerstonMasterton train, which now reached Master ton at 9.5G p.m. Tbe Chairman stated that after the last meeting of the Chamber of Commerce a deputation waited upon the Hon. Mr Hogtr and laid the purport of the petition, together with other matter, l ?, before him. Mr Hogg had received the deputation sympathetically, and stated that he would do his best to bring about the desired change in the time-table. It was decided to forward the cabmen's petition to the Minister of Railway, asking that he give it consideration. It whs decided to support the endeavour of the Carterton Chamber of Commerce to influence the Minister of Railways to allow the train which now leaves Masterton at 6.30 to start from Featherstou. A letter was received from the Chairman of the Dunedin Grain Buyers' Association (through Mr J. D. Cruickshank), drawing attention to the fact that the Union Shipping Company were charging freight on grass seed by measurement instead of by weight, and enclosing a copy of a letter of protest which had been forwarded by that body to the Union Company. On the motion of M. Caselberg, it was decided to support the New Zealand Grain Buyers' Association in its protest against the charge being made by the Union. Shipping Company on a space basis as against a charge for weight in the carriage of grass seed. The secretary of the MastertonWaipukurau Railway League wrote acknowledging receipt of the Chamber's donation of £5 towards their funds.

The secretary of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce wrote re proposed meriting of representatives from all Chambers of Commerce in New Zealand, and setting out certain suggestions that would assist in making the conference successful, and subjects suggested for discussion.—Consideration of the matter was held over till next meeting.

The secretary of the Carterton Chamber of Commerce wrote stating that that body was of opinion that it would be useless to ask the the Government that the Napier through express be accelerated, and forwarding a resolution carried by that Chamber re the linking up of the train systems between the two coasts.

A letter was received from the Featherston Chamber of Commerce according its sjpport to the Masterton Chamber in its endeavour to bring about an improvement in the railway time-table in order to make it possible for travellers to connect with the through express to Auckland at Palmerston North. The treasurer's report showed a credit balance of £1 9s 3d.