Happy 100^th birthday today to our Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce Successfully Launched in Cowra

The most representative meeting held here for many years took place at the Literary Institute on Wednesday evening last, the object being to take steps towards establishing a Chamber of Commerce in Cowra.

Apologies for non-attendance were read from Messrs. J. O. Ryall, W. A. Stokes, G. L.Rowe, H. C, Lane, W.F. Ormiston, J. W. Hayes, and S. B. Mellor.

Mr. J. J. Sullivan, who was voted to the chair, said he would accept the nomination because his heart and soul was in the movement. He believed it would do a great deal towards forwarding the interests of the town and district.

Cowra suffered from no thing so much as want of knowledge regarding its whereabouts. Only shortly before coming here he heard one person arguing it was in the North, while another was equally positive it was situated in the Riverina. There were many matters such an institution could deal with, the main ones being National, Business and Educational. Such a body may be taken as antagonistic to the Municipal and Shire Councils, but that was not so, as there was room for all of them.

He had travelled extensively throughout N.S.W., and he placed Cowra second to none for possibilities (applause). With the vast resources of the district it should be made the premier town of the West. Touching on the business aspect, he said he hoped that would not override the National objects.

Cowra labored under many disadvantages, and the least of these was not the railway arrangements. They should move immediately in those matters, as Cowra was destined to be the Western "hub" of the Railway service. At Maitland, he noticed, the Commissioners contemplated lighting the town with electricity and he hoped some such move would be made locally. They would also have industrial problems to deal with and he felt sure they would tackle them courageously. Then there was the social side. Their worthy ex Mayor (Dr. McLaren) said on one occasion Cowra was the coldest town socially in the State, and there was a big atom of truth in such as assertion. It was not the fault of the people, it was the lack of opportunity.

He hoped they would have hot and strong arguments and then bury the hatchet, not, as too often happens, carry their disputes even into their private life. He hoped to be able to help the movement along and thus do his part in helping to make Cowra the Premier Inland City of the State (applause).

Mr. J. S. Henderson, of Katoomba, who was asked to make a few re marks, said he had the honor to be one of the Vice-Presidents of a like Institution at Katoomba.

The Movement Launched.

Mr. C. Marshall then proposed: That a Chamber of Commerce be formed in Cowra, affiliated with the Sydney Chamber of Commerce.

Seconded by Mr. Jas. Smith and carried unanimously.

Mr. E. J. Ashcroft was appointed hon. sec. pro. tem, on the motion of Messrs Thomas and Lane.

All in the room at this juncture signified their willingness to become members by holding up their right hands.

Mr. Wordsworth proposed "That the rules as submitted be dealt with at next meeting."

Mr. Jas. Smith thought it advisable to adopt Rule 10 in order to proceed with the election of officers only. If they left all the rules over until next meeting they might then alter that rule, and thus make all their work that night null and void. He moved "That Rule 10 be adopted". Seconded Mr. Healy and carried.

Election of Officers.

President - Mr. Jas. Smith. Proposed by Mr. Wordsworth, who said that he (Mr. Smith) was a principal in one of their oldest firms and stoodout as one of their ablest men of business.

Seconded by Mr. J. Alford, and carried unanimously.

Mr. Sullivan then vacated the chair, saying " I think you have made

a very wise selection, gentlemen."

The President said he thanked them sincerely for the honor conferred upon him, which he appreciated.

He was now an old resident of the district and whatever he could do to further its interests would be a pleasure (applause).

Vice-Presidents.- Mr. Wordsworth was nominated by Messrs. Grilcreest and Christoe, and Mr. C. Marshall by Messrs. Reilly and Westphalen.

Mr. Wordsworth said in order to do away with an idea which may arise that it was a kind of Storekeeper's Assn. he would withdraw. He would like to see some other calling represented, instead of all those in the leading positions being storekeepers.

Mr. Poignand proposed Mr. Lipscomb, Mr. Healy seconding, but that gentleman also declined office on the ground that he was not a permanent resident.

Mr. Henderson said he thought they would be well advised to have some Country representatives on their Council, and suggested Mr. J Alford.

Mr. Alford was then nominated by Messrs. Wordsworth and Lipscomb and declared duly elected.

Hon. Treas.- Mr. Wodehouse, on the nomination of Messrs. Thomas and Lipscomb, who said that gentleman had previous experience in Queensland.

Hon. Sec - Mr. Eric J. Ashcroft, on the motion of Messars. Sullivan and Poignand.

Committee.- Messrs. J. J. Sullivan, W. H. Wordsworth, A. B. Jones, H. P. Christoe, J. P. McPhee, J. W. Hayes, P. Westphalen and D. T. Gilcreest,