MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9998, 19 March 1910, Page 6

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MONTHLY MEETING., | Ihe monthly meeting of ttrbon Chamber of 'Commerce was held in the Master ton A. and P. Association's room'yesterday afternoon. 'I-'here -were .present—Messrs F. W. Carey, (chairman). D. Donald, E. H. Waddington. M. Csselberg, W. Chamberlain, J. B. Keith, G. C. Su'mmere'll, <->. Lamb, and J. C. I Boddington (secretary). Apologies I for absence were received from Messrs J. B. Moodie, J. D. Cruicksharak. W. B. Che.ineils, V. E. Donald, C. E. Daniell, A. Henderson and John Hunter. Ihe secretary of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce wrote in reference to deferential and long-dis-tance railway rates, slating that at a public meeting called for the purpose, it was decided that delegates ' be sent to a conference in Welling--1 ton, when definite proposals could be agreed upon, and joint representation could be made to the Minister of Railways, and also the Prime Minister. The letter wa& received.

Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P-, forwarded a reply that he had received from the Minister of Railways in reference to the Chamber's suggestion in connection with the transit of merchandise within the Dominion. The reply stated that the subject would receive consideration, and inquiries would be made as to the advisability of adopt-

ins? such a scheme. NOKTHEKN APPROACH. The "Northern Approach" question wns brought up for discussion. The chairman said the matter was far more important to Masterton than most people were aware of.Lansdowne was a rapidly increasing suburb, and houses were being ereoted there at the present, although times were reported to be dull It was a great pity that a bridge was not going to be erected in beeping with the general state of the town. Mr D. Donald said that a large number of influential settlers who had spoken to Mm on the subeot were ur - animous that one bridge should be erected, and of concrete. It had been shown that the whole scheme was a

simple one. Mr to. Caselberg said the County Coucil did not seem to fallin with the one bridge scheme, and hsd evidently made up their minds to erect two 'bridges. The Council were afraid (to attempt the. work in the possibility of their having to pay compensaiton for damage by floods.

Mr Donald remarked that the Waipoua, unlike the other rivers in this district, was not connected with the snow clad 'mountains, and consequently the flood water was not as great as in the other rivers. The speaker instanced protective work that had been put in at only a minimum cost at various times near Masterton, and which had acted effectively-

Mr Carey drew the attention of those present to the enormous amount of traffic over the present bridges. He thought that if two bridges were to be erected they should both be of concrete. Mr *. aselberg -said there was no doubt but that the one bridge of concrete was the most sensible scheme. If two bridges? were now erected of wood, the time would come when the o-'e concrete bridge scheme, as at present proposed, would be put into effect.

finally the following motion proposed by Mr Donald, was carried unanimously: That the Mastertow Borough Council having intimated that they are not averse to reconsidering the Northern approach bridge question (a letter was read from the above mentioned body), this Chamber earnestly request the Masterton County Council to reconsider their present scheme, with the object of building the bridge in con'rete instead of timber.

The Courthouse question was, also, discussed, and the following resolution was paspo i on the motion of Mr M. Caselbeoy, (seconded by Mr Summerell:—That this Chamber is Of opinion that the present Courthouse is unsuitable for Supreme Court or even the Magistrate's court business, and urges the Minister of Justice to give the matter his earnest attention. In view of the fact that the sum of £5,000 was voted last session for the purpose of erecting a new Courtboune, the Chamber trusts that the work will be immediately taken in hand, as "Supreme Court sittings are now being held in Masterton."

Hfce treasurer's statement read as Pilaws:—Balance at last meetifift £l9 4s 8d; disbursements, £l6 &s; balance at date, £2 9s Bd.