PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16431, 27 January 1919, Page 9

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

BRANCH FORMED AT AKAROA. The Canterbury Progress League formed a branch at Akaroa last wceK. Mr P. R. Climie, organiser together with Messrs G. H. Holford and.G. Hutchison, members of the Christchurch. branch committee, attended a meeting at the Akaroa Borough Council Chambers, presided over by tho Mayor Mr George Armstrong, at which there was a large and representative gathering of townspeople. During the past four years Akaroa has possessed a Progress Association, which has done signal service in advertising the advantages of the borough as a tourist Notwithstanding the existence of this Association, its members showed a readiness to embrace the larger organisation. Mr Climie outlined the objects of the Canterbury Proa-ess League, and emphatically denied the misconception apparently, entertained in some quarters that the League was being promoted with a view to exploiting the country for the benefit of ' the "ty- A suggestion had gone forth, he proceeded, that the League was going to use its influence to push forward the canal scheme for Christchurch. This again, was contrary to fact, lhe League was out to secure better * ra ?? s P , for Canterbury, and that demanded more direct communication with shipping for Christchurch. Consequently there was no doubt the League would lend its weight towards achieving that end but at present no sides were being taken upon the various schemes for providing tho province with improved shipping "facUiW. There were various other speakers, and MrJ Chmie answered a large number of questions. On the motion of Mr Hennmc the aims of the League were endorsed, and it was de- " cided unanimously to. form an Akaroa branch. The. following officers were elected:—President, Mr Gf°r|® .A™" strong ban. secretary- si r K. W._bhepherd; committee, \V Robinson, T- E - i?- ' t Henning, T. Lewitt. Turner, Jones, Thomas, anH Wrikin.