MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10428, 20 September 1911, Page 5

MASTERTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

eleventh annual report.

Following is the annual report of t'lio Master-ton Chamber of Commerce : During the past year the general prosperity indicated in the last report has been maintained. Banks and Heading institutions report an ampJe supply of money for inve tment on good security. Trade generally lias been very good, and the renewed activity in ibuilding in the town can be taken asa fair indication of the general prosperity of the community. Owing to drought in the Northern Hemisphere, butter and cheese are •being feold at record prices, and the prospects for wool and meat may also ibe considered satisfactory.

Matters of considerable interest to the town and district have flbeen before the Chamber during the past year, and) the Council would urge on members of the Chamber a keener interest in its' work.

Northern Approach.— This work is now progressing, and should shortly be completed. Stock Bridge.— The necessity of a stock bridge over the Waipoua, at the end of CbJomibo Road, was urged on the County and Borough Councils, and they have now agreed that this work .shall ibe taken in hand.

Courthouse.— The building of the new- Courthouse was put in hand during Hihe year, and the work is now being pushed on. When completed the building will be an ornament to the town.

Railway Timetable.— This (matter, affecting the whdle of .the district fromi Woodvalle to Felatherteton, was very prominenitfly (before the Ohamiber during the year. A conference of Chambers of Cbmtaieree and (local bodies, together with Messrs Buchanan and Hogg, MJVs, was held in January last, wihen the inconvenience and inadequacy of the time-table wias discussed, and a deputation was appointed' to wait on the Hon. the Minister of [Railways in regard to the matter. As a result of representations made, the timetable was altered,' and while not giving effect tto all itihe -wishe® of the deputation, a much iaore convenient time-tabUe is now in forced "Hie Chamber also-worked with settlers in getting a passenger car attached to the 4 p.m. MastertonWoodvil'le train, but this was discontinued after a imioh.th'l9 trial on .the ground that it was non-payahle. This matter should (be kept in view with the object of getting the passenger oar reinstated during the summer, wihen greater use will be cmade of it by settlers.

Rimutaka Deviation.— A petition has been (prepared, and is now in circulation throughout the district, urging on (the Government Who importance of this" work. The petition has. been largely signed,, and will shortly be presented to Parliament. In view of the .suggestion of a branch line from Upper Hutt through Akatarawa, the importance of keeping this matter before the whole of the residents of Wairarapa and. Bush districts, cannot be too .strongly urged.

Majterton-Waipufcurau Railway.— Advantage was taken of a visit by the Hon. R. McKenzie, Minister of Public Works, to the district, to hiring before him the importance of this work. The reply'of the- Hon. the Minister that, Tintil the country on> .the proposed route was more closely settled, there was no hope of the Government undertaking/ the work, cannot he considered satisfactory.

New Street.— The Chamber was instrumental in getting the Borough Council to take a poll of ratepayers in. regard to making a new street between Queen and Chapel Streets, hut the proposal was rejected hy the ratepayers.

Congress of Ohamlbers of Commerce.— This will be held in London in June, 1912. This Chamher will be represented by a delegate. Suez Marl.— A proposal from the Wellington Chamber urging that Wellington be the port of call" was supported! iby this Chamber. Resignation..— Owing to removal from the district, Mr' J. D. Oruiokshank, who lhad been a member of the Council since its inception, resigned his position on the Council. The thanks of the Ohamiber are due to Mr Oruickshank for the interest taken by him in the work of Oh'amher.

Solway Show Grounds.— Tfhe (Masterton A. and P. Association held its inaugural show, on its new* grounds at Sol way in February Tast. The enterprise of the Associataori in providing a ishow -groundwhich will be one of the best in the Dominion', and hi psreserying one of the beauty spots, of Masterton, are deserving of the best thanks of the town and district. '.""'.'■