GISBORNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3175, 22 March 1911, Page 2

GISBORNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

SECOND ANNUAL' MEETINC-

THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT,

The .following .is the second annual report ot the committee of tne Gisborne Guam her of Commerce, t o be presented at the annual meeting of the Chamber this evening: Gentlemen, —Your Council begs to present its second annual report for the year ending February 28, 1911, _ briefly referring to some of the more important matters which have occupied the attention of the Chamber during the- past year. it is pleasing to be able- to report that the Chamber is being well 'supported by the business people of the town and district, the menibcrshop now standing at 43 (with a number of new members to be proposed at this meeting). The balance-sheet for the year shows a satisfactory surplus. Eleven executive and four general meetings have been held by the Chamber during the year, exclusive of special emergency meetings. The following matters have amongst others, engaged the close attention of the Chamber. Wool Bale Brands.—This very portant- subject, initiated by Mr J. B. Kells and taken up by all the Chambers in.N.Z., was brought up by the Chamber with the object of compelling owners of 1000 sheep and over to register their wool brands, which would prevent the possibility cf any two owners using the same brand. The justice of this proposal is self-evident, and the matter will be finally discussed at the biennial conference of A. and P. Associations, to which it has been referred, in June next. Postal Facilities. —During the year the Chamber made representations to the Department in order to secure more convenience for the posting of letters, ■with the result that eleven pillarboxes were erected in various parts of tile town and suburbs, the principal boxes being cleared at 5 a.m. daily. The Department also acceded to the request of the Chamber to make adequate provision for a larger parcels office and arranged a separate receiver for the posting of sma.ll parcels and samples, which has been greatly appreciated and availed of by the public. Telephone Department.—The Department agreed to the request of the Chamber to send out correct lists of subscribers every six weeks, as is done in the larger towns, and also to allow the telephone exchange staff to give information as to the probable time of arrival or departure of steamers on Sundays. The Department, however, would not agree to revert to the old system of charging for bureau communications, but this matter is not being dropped, and combined action will -shortly ho taken by the - various Chambers to try to change a system which is without doubt unfair to subscribers to the telephone. Local Trawling Area. —On the motion of Mr W. D. Lysnar, strong representations were made by the Chamber to the Minister for Marine to have the local trawling area extended, with the result that the local trawling fleet are now enabled to operate from the East Cape to Portland Island, which has proved a. distinct advantage to the district.

Wharf tSlied Accommodation. —The Chamber joined with the shipping companies in a deputation which waited on the Harbour Board, strongly urging the necessity for immediately increasing the storage accommodation at the wharf. It is satisfactory to note thaw the Board have already put the matter in hand, and this will be tbe means of relieving the congestion of goods; on the wharf.

locale of Agents’ Commission. —A conference between the Land Agents' League and a sub-committee from this Chamber to decide an a fair rate of commission on sales to be charged by local agents, resulted in a scale being mutually arranged, which will probably be adopted by the 'Chamber at its nextmeeting.

Morere Hot Springs.—Owing to the severe flood of last year the bathhouse and the picturesque track leading to the springs were badly damaged. Tlie Chamber made representations to the Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts with a- view to arranging temporary repairs for tlie present season. This the Minister agreed to, but it is necessary that the matter of the erection of -a permanent bathhouse should be urged during the off-season, as Morere is practically the only health resort within easy access, and one that is largely availed of by the. people ©f Gisborne. Local Railway Timetable. —The Chamber, -is supporting tbe East Coast Railway League in t-lieir request for an extra train on the Ot-ok-o line, and it is to be hoped that the proposed arrangements can be made in this direction, which would undoubtedly be largely' availed of by the- travelling public. ' The Chamber continues to supply the Customs Department with'values of exports and statistical returns as-before, and also takes charge of the application ■forms for examination under the Accountancy Act. During the year support has also been given to various proposals mooted by the different Chambers of the Dominion, which this Ohambei considered to* be for the general good of the Dominion.

Turning to matters concerning the' general welfare of the town and disc;-''t, it is pleasing to'note that the past year has been one of steady progress, tne district having completely recovered from the temporary financial depression of 190-8-09. Prices for wool, mutton and produce continue to be excellent and steady, and it is generally conceded that this district has future possibilities above most of the districts throughout the Dominion, and the fact that the Government, is determined to push on local railways which will open up such rich timber and! pastoral country, fully qualifies tbe confidence with which, our pioneer settlers are undertaking their strenuous work in the back country. * As this district is almost entirely a sheep-farming one, it is natural that the recent disclosures concerning the Dominion frozen- meat industry have

I been viewed with more than ordinary interest by the people of the district. When we consider that Poverty Bay depastures nearly two million sheep and exports annually .46,000 bales of woo] and 28,000,000 lbs of frozen meat, we have reason to congratulate ourselves that a permanent righting of the long existing defects is now within" sight, and m this direction too much praise cannot be given to Mr W. D. Lysnar for his determined action against odds that few men would have stood up to —a performance that will in time be fully ap-' predated by the whole people of the Dominion. It is satisfactory to note the progress of our inland ranlvvay and the intention of the Government 'to commence operations at no distant- -date on the Gieborne-Napier line, which . will bring this, the last town of any importance in New Zealand, within' touch of the remainder of the Dominion. For the continued progress of this town and district-it is necessary to refer to the necessity of continuing the opening up of the vast unoccupied land between Gisborne and Auckland, the pushing, on of our railways and the importance of continued activity of the Chamber in watching over the interests of the district as a whole. The substantial increases in borough and district values are satisfactory, but our isolation, our lack-of facilities for communication with the, 'rest of New Zealand, and our backward position in -regard to - requirements of the town all point ito the necessity of loyally supporting our public men who are endeavouring to remedy these defects. The thanks.of the Chamber are due to the Borough Council for the free use of their rooms and to the Press, who have given such strong support to the efforts of your Chamber to further the interests of this town and district. JOHN TOWNLEY, Chairman. F. H. W. TRAILL, Hon Sec.