The Portland daily press., 1875-01-12
G. S. FoBEs, Treasurer,
sEcRETARY's REPORT.

SECRETARYS REPORT.
The Secretary, Mr.. NJ n. Rich reported that
there have been 81 meetings held during the
| year-16 meetings of the managers and five
| meetings of the full Board-including
specials Three meetings adjourned for
want of quorum.
Three members of the Board have died dur
ing the year, viz: Robert Holyoke, Thos.
McEwan and Capt Eben d. Choate-the latter
was for several years elected by this Board as
one of it's Port Wardens. The Board now
numbers 268 members who have paid the last
| annual assessment against 302 reported last
year.
There have been received for admission fees
and annual assessments S54S 90 aud the same
paid to the Treasurer. The Merchants
Exchange has at this time a membership of
264 individuals, and firm Observation-Disclosures
| 224 members reported last year. The receipts
| from subscribers have been 81 ,1S2 90, making
| the aggregate receipts from all sources ~, 730
| Several important papers were added to the
| files of the Reading Room early In the sea-
son.
The change recently made in regard to the
Telegraphc Reports has thus far been very
satisfactory-fuller reports of the marketsffrom
the West have been received, and marine
news of any considerable Importance. is now
promptly received from the Eastern seaports,
so that now there is not an exchange in the
country having a more full or perfect Tele-
graphic system than ours.
Mr. e. L. Ring continues to discharge the
duties of Superintendent of the Exchange in a
very faithful and satisfactory manner.
The principal matters that have engaged
the attention of the Board during the year,
have been the rebuilding of the grain eeva-
tor; the currency bill before Congress; recipro-
cal trade with the Canadas; cheap transpOrta-
ton and improve wharf accommodations all of
which have been successfully matured or are in
good progress-excepting perhaps that of recip-
rocal trade.
The Industrial Exhibition in our city during
the month of June last, was also the successful
maturity of the we'll laid plans of the standing
Committee on Manufactures" appointed by
this Board.
The trade of the city has continued to in
crease in nearly all its branches during the past
year, and our merchants as a rule, have made
money, though in some branches the shrinxage
in the value of stocks on hand has gone far
towards counterbalancng the profits, yet there
has not been failure from among any of the
members of this Board during the year.
The transportation lines and the railroads
centering in this city, have as whole, done
better than could have been expected in view
of the various changes and enormous out-lays
in which they have been engaged, but the rail-
road system was never SO good for the business
of Portland, as at this time, and the great adj
vantages OF Portland for business, is attracting
now more attention than any other seaport
Five extra large ocean steamers are already or
d cred to this port to load, an addition to the
regular weekly line now coming here and sew
eral iron sailing ships.
The wharf accommodations of the port have
been greatly improved during the year, and the
committee appointed by this Board, to secure
the building of a grain elevator, have sue
ceeded in putting on foot such measures as
will doubtless secure the building of an eleva-
tor and further wharf improvements.
The shipping interests have been somewhat
depressed, but are looking better for future
business.
While the mechanical Industries of most all
other cities have languished aud large numbers
were thrown out of employment, here in Port
land there has been work for about all her ar :
tisans at very fair wages throughout all the
year, and Their. never was time IN the history
of our city when some commodities, including
most of the necessities, could be bought at such
low prices as prevail at this time, while the
prices for labor are well sustained These facts
evidence healthy growth and admonish us
that we have only to contribute to push
things to attain the high rank as business
centre, to which Portland is entitled.
PORT wARDEN's REPORT.
The following is the report of the port war.
dens:
We have visited officially 1913 vessels durn e
the year, comprising % British steamers from
Liverpool from Glasgow, from Barron, and
l from Halifax, sailing ships, (Br) and
American ship, British barks, German and
American banks, II British brigs aud II
American briggs British 'schooners, Danish
apd mnrican max limo a total of IL foreign