CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16856, 9 June 1920, Page 8

CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE.

* ANNUAL REPORT. Th» second annuxd report of the Canterbury Progress League states that "the League can now be claimed to be an organisation which is looked to, and can be> relied upon to taKo up at short notice any urgent provincial matters, and while last year it was to a certain extent on its trial, it is now firmly established. The- preparation of a comprehensive report dealing with improved communication between Christchurch and tho sea has been prepared, and copies -distributed. • The question will lx> discussed at a conference, tho date of which La's already been fixed. A supplementary report on the possibilities of the Waimakariri harbour as an adjunct to the main port of Canterbury ia at present under preparation. Referring to the Midland Railway, the _ leport states that the early completion of this longdelayed' undertaking has been constantly borne in mind, and frequent lemindors have been sent to tho Government. 'ihe result of the League's agitation in tho .matter haa been most "gratifying, virtually every authority in the South Island has undertaken to comply with the League's wishes to urge upon tho new Minister of Public "Works the need for increased activity at the tunnel works. Much -time and thought has teen given to th© question of hydro-electricitv, and practical service rendered to local bodies and others. Numerous deputations m d appeals liavo served to remind the Government of the necessity for tho adoption of vigorous electrical extension throughout the country districts. The report, after referring to the mail service it conducted during the time of tli.i curtailed railway services, and its establishment of a number, of country lfl>raries, states that one of the improvements it had -been instrumental in bringing about was the "close sorting" of the northern mails, enabling letters, etc., to bo received at least an hour earlier than hitherto, although tho matter had previously been taken up by the Chamber of Commerce. Another matter successfully taken up by the League was the re-establishment of tho through express to Invorcargill, and representation of the League on tho North Canterbury Land Purchase Board and !ho Lands Commission had also fcoen secured. The annual fhows the receipts to amount to £2331 Os sd, the expenditure £1323 IGs lid, leaving £77 39s 3d for i office frniture, and a balance of. .£"O9 0s sd. j The revenue account shows a, credit balance of £794 15s 9d, and amounts to £2SSI 0s sd.