MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 981, 26 February 1910, Page 6

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The monthly meeting of the Mas- ] terton Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. There were present —Messs F. YV. Carey (chairman), D. Donald, A. Henderson, W. E. Ch?mberiain, G. C. Summerell, J. D. Cruickshank, C. Graham, W. B. Chennells. Letters were received from Messrs A. W. Hogg and W. C. Buchanan, M's.P., promising to support the requisition of the Chamber that the Railway Department take charge of merchandise of every description at fixed through rate to its destination. A letter was read from the secretary of the General Post Office, Wellngton, stating that a contract had been let for a twice-weeekly service from Master ton to Te Wharau and Lands End, and that it had not been possible to arrange for the continuation of this service to Flat Point. The secretary reported he had had a letter from Mr Hogg, who was at the present time at Rotorua, having been ill, and he was glad to report he was now recovering. On the motion of the chairman, it was resolved to record the Chamber's regret at learning of Mr Hogg's illness, and us pleasure at hearing of his improved condition. . .In reference to the Te Wharau mail contract, Mr J. D. Cruickshank reported the contract had been signed, Mr Summerell and himself having guaranteed the balance of £lO to the contractor. The quarterly meeting of the Chamber was afterwards hald, Mr Carey presiding. RAILWAY TIMETABLE. The secretary reported the steps that had been taken to secure an improvement in the Wairarapa Railway Service. Mr Cruickshank said be had recently had an interview with Hon. the Minister for Railways, and he had been given to understand that changes were about to be made in the service that would satisfy the demands of the Wairarapa people. Mr Summerell said whenever the Minister referred to this service he argued that it satisfied the Lower Wairarapa people, and was ample for requirements. He could only say if any business concern was run on the same lines as this railway it would soon have to close down. Masterton was held up as an awful example of selfishness in demanding what satisfied themselves irrespective of other parts. He could say in answer that if proof was wanted that Masterton was only asking what it urgently needed in train improvement they had it in the fact that five times out of six the trains did not run to time. That was proof positive that the present_service was totally inadequate for local requirements. Two or three trains had to be put on daily to meet the traffic. Never since the railways first started had there been such a muddle in the management. Mr C. Graham said the Government boasted of having made a saving on the Wairarapa service ot £14,000 by the present changes. They did not disclose, however, what the extra cost was on the West Coast line by the diversion of the traffic there from the Wairarapa. If this were disclosed it would be shown that instead of a profit the change had resulted in a loss to the country. The secretary read the official reply of the Minist cr to. the Chamber that their request should have careful consideration.