PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18423, 2 July 1925, Page 11

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. A Meeting of the. executive tf the Canterbury Progress League was held; last night. Present: Messrs J. I£. Blackwell (in the chair), J. Storry, 11. Holland, G. K. Hall, 11. 11. Webb. G. H. Judd,- -\Y. K. McAlpine, CI. H. Hclford, A. F. Carey, E. 11. Wyle.s V. E. Lcadlcy, 11. J. Knight, K Thompson. ' Tho chairman, in remarking on the .fact that the- meeting was the first one held by the new executive, welcomed new members. Mr H. Holland drew • attontion to the fact that the Christchurch Drainage Board had not provided in its estimates for tho usual annual grant to the League. He. said he intended to give notice of. motion at the Board's nest meeting asking his body to reconsider the matter of stopping tho grant, if, in fact, the Board had decided to withhold the grant. Tho organiser,' Mr P. R. Climic, stated that he had intended to refer the subject to tho Finance • Committee of the' League. So far the. League had not sent in its formal amplication for tho grant. He. had been surprised that the grant had bce.t withheld, and considered that if such was tho intention of tho Board,' it's action would be in-oi.poriune--at the present time. -

On the. motkn of Mr W. lw..Lca<Tcy, (he rr.atter was iof erred to the Finance Committee with power to appoint a,, deputation to watt on tho Board if necessary. Highways Act. ■ Mr. Climic reported that ho had invited tho chairman of the Highways Boi-.rd, Mr F. W. Furkcrt, and Mr J. D. Bruce, tho South Island representatjvo on the Board, ■'to bo present at a conference of loc.al bodie3 which he suggested should be hold in Christchurch to consider the Main Highways Act. Mr Furkcrt had replied ho did not consider thcro was any necessity for such a conference and stated that there was practically no diversity cf opinion regarding the working of tho Act in its relation to the South Island.. Mr TV. K.McAlpine stated that the League did not wish to criticise tho working of ■ the Board, ■ but it did not consider that the Highways Act was. working satisfactorily so far as the concorned. On the motion of Mr TV. E. Leadley it was "decided that a csnferenco of local bodies be held on August 411 i lo consider the question of tho Main. Highways Act as it affected the South Island. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs H. J. Knight, G. H. Judd, and AY. K. McAlpine. A. F. Wright - and 11. Holland; wss appointed to nrake. tho necessary arrangements for the conference, the committee to have power ■(o add to, its numbers. 8.1. Main Trunk.

Reporting on the League's decision regarding the desirkbifity of a, main trunk railway, Mr Glimie reported that the Marlborough Progress League had written congratulating the League on its decision and Smggeating that a monster deputation representing South Island interests wait oil the Government and stress the importance of tho completion of the. trunk railway. All members of Parliament had received copies of the Canterbury League's report, Baid Mr Climie, and a. movement was on foot to form a So.itli Island Members of Parliament Committee.. If this were formed tho matter of the completion of the South Island main trunk wcnld be tho first matter dealt with. The Xorth Island members of Parliament wouid then bo approached to consider the matter. It wna decided to agree to the request of the Marlborough League for thn Canterbury League to take the initiative in pushing tho matter forward. - General. Tho executive decided to write thanking the Canterbury Members cf Parliament for their action in keeping the matter of the. duplication and electrification of the Lyttclton tuniicl under tho Government's notice and requesting them to continue, pressing tho matter. It was further Tesolved also to write to the Prime Minister urging him to keep the subject in mind. The Buller Progress League wrote asking *be Canterbury League to support it in urging that the Greymouth-AVeatport road be completed The letter stated that there was only a very small porion of tho road (three miles) to be completed, and this couid bo done within eighteen months and at a cost of i:-20,01tt. It was decided to support the request.