Mr. Arnold Forsyth told a representative gathering of businessmen in Port Macquarie they would rue the day if they don't tackle the problems of parking. Mr. Forsyth was speaking at the Christmas meeting held by the Chamber of Commerce in the RSL auditorium on Thursday evening last.

Mr. Forsyth very bluntly said it was a matter of "park or perish"; that is something for each and every one of you to think over, he said. Mr. Forsyth is president of the Federated Chambers of Commerce of NSW.

Earlier in his address he had spoken appreciatively of the improved shopping facilities in Port Macquarie. Mr. Forsyth presented a Charter - the first on the coast - to Mr. Warwick St. Clair, president of Port Macquarie's Chamber of Commerce, and commended the ideals and objects of the C of C movement towards free enterprise, civic pride, and national development.

Town Library report

Eighteen hundred new books have been added to the town library so far this year, and total stocks now stand at 10,800. A satisfactory report on the library has recently been made by the Library Board of New South Wales.

The existing book stock continues to improve as the percentage of non-fiction is increased and some of the older material is withdrawn. Book selection has greatly improved in recent years with less emphasis on ephemeral material.

Registered borrowers are: adult 2057, children 870 - a total of 2927. Registered borrowers represent about 36 per cent of population; children about 30 per cent.

Total loans have risen steadily for many years from 48,000 in 1961, to the present 85,000. The improvement in loans is partly due to population growth in the area but also reflects increasing degree of library usage.

The improved library building has enabled the book stock to be more attractively displayed. A separate reference and study area has been provided and the children's library which suffered from restricted space has now adequate accommodation.

Book donation

Port Macquarie Lions Club has made commendable gifts to both the hospital and the library in the form of big print books, making reading a pleasure for those with impaired sight. Twenty four big print books were handed over to Hastings District Hospital.

New Department Store

Owned and operated by a local family, T. Reed and Sons store will be one of the few still privately owned department stores in NSW. The store, on the corner of Horton and William Streets, will offer 10,250 square feet of ground floor shopping with 4,250 sq. feet of storage and parking in the basement.

Offices of the company will be situated on the first floor. The enlargement in size will mean an increase of 2.5 times the present floor space. Customers will enjoy shopping in pleasant air-conditioned comfort for the plant will be of the automatic adjustment type to maintain constant pleasant temperature both in summer and winter.

New departments are to be added to present trading items and these will be advised at a later date. Building this new store is Mr. Frank Johnson, who appears to be the main face-changer of Horton Street shops.