CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3437, 31 January 1912, Page 2

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL MEETING- ■ The annual mooting of the G)eb f ",.o Chamber of Commerce was held in the Borough Council Chambers last evening. There was a large attendance of members, and in the absence of the President (Mr J. Bright) Mr J- Townley was voted to the chair. Tho adoption of the annual report and •balance sheet was moved, bv tho chairman. Mr TV. F. Cederwall. in seconding the motion, saidl he thought the Chamber ought to be congratulated on the manner in which tlveir membership nad increased. They had 45 members at the previous annual meeting, and now they had S 4, hut he did not think the Chamber should rest until they had a membership of 100. It behoved every member to use his beet endeavors to get new members. Regarding the continuous telephone service, representations had been , made to the Department by the Chamber, but nothing had been done, and whether further representations should he made rested entirely with the Chamber. One feature that stood out in connection with Harbor Board matters was the extension of the breakwater, and in his opinion this was a step *n ihe right direction. This undertaking would make for the safer working of tho port, and also for the safety of passengers. They would notice by the newspapers that the Chamber had.'made representations to the largo shipping companies regarding the direct .shipment of goods from London to Gisborne, but the replies received were not favorable, and this question would have to lie further considered by the Executive.

The Chamber had taken a- decided step in regard to the erection of public buildings in Gisborne in bringing this matter under the notice of (he Public Works Department. 'Tire Chamber, however, should further urge that the money voted by the Government for this purpose should bo expended. The executive had also devoted attention to the local police staff and) station. and lie was glad, to say that the present police station would be a, thing of the past in a very short time. Mr Bright was very keenly interested in the matter, and he would do everything in his power to get proper accommodation for the officers. In conclusion he paid a high tribute to (he work of the President (Mr John Bright) and the secretary (Mr Hamilton Irvine) during the past year. Mr W. L. Clayton endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, and congratulated . the Chamber on tho work done during the year. There was no doubt the Chamber was beginning to assert itself in Gisborne, and in such a way that the people were beginning to think that they were doing some real good. Many years ago people did not interest themselves in its work, because there was no tangible benefit to the community, but the past year’s record was quite sufficient to show it was of isonve value. Regarding a continuous telephone service the efforts put forward were in the right direction, no doubt, but the attitude of the Department was not fair to a. rising town like this. The telephone was used perhaps moi-e in the Gisborne district than in any other place of its size in the Dominion. He pointed out that the present revenue from the service here was £4OOO, and this left a very handsome margin of profit for the Department, and he thought it was only right they should claim this was not departmental profit to be spent in other parts of the Dominion. The Department should do something in this matter. Regarding public buildings the sum of £7OOO was placed on the estimates a considerable time back for this work, so that the whole of the Government offices could be concentrated. Twelve months ago these buildings were promised, but still nothing has been done. This town warranted the expenditure of that vote. He hoped the membership would further increase during the year. Mr T. E. Toneycliffe. speaking regarding the erection of public buildings. said lie knew of no vote that had not been expended by now. He thought perhaps it was due to their representative being engaged with higher affairs of State.

Mr T. G. Lawless thought the executive ought to be' commended for their action regarding the telephone service. They should, however, make more strenuous efforts to secure better Government buildings. The that they wero a small community, hut they owed a very great deal to their member for the avork he bad done for them. He (the speaker) thought they were justified in urging the continuous telephone service without extra charge. He pointed out the good work that was being carried out by the dredge, and in conclusion congratulated the Clia.mber on the good work accomplished during the year.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected : President: Mr J. W. Bright; yioepresident. Mr A. S. Wachsmann; council: ’ Messrs Andenson, Lawton, Bloore, Dean, Morgan, Parker, Georgy, Ashton, Corson, Kirk, Kells, Coderwall, Robb, Redstone, Clayton and O’Meara; hon. auditor, Mr E. L. Maude; hon. 'secretary, Mr W. Hamilton Irvine.

’Pile secretary was . voted a bonus of £ls 15s, and the auditor a bonus of £2 2s.

It was decided the annual dinner should be held at the time of the opening of the Oto'ko railway or at the turning of the first sod at the Gisborne end of tlie East Coast Railway.