PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE

Evening Star, Issue 20134, 26 March 1929, Page 5

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE

BORKES-51. LEONARDS The second annual meeting of the above league was held last evening. Mr IV. J. Bardsley (president) was in the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. The report of the year’s operations was adopted, as was also tho statement of receipts and expenditure. The remarks of the Prime Minister to a recent deputation relative to the straightening of the railway line and the value of the suburban services to the department were the subject of discussion, and it was decided to communicate with Sir Joseph Ward in the matter. It was decided to vote £5 to the flood relief fund from the amount received from tho recent carnival art union. Jt was also decided to make arrangements for tho selling of poppies in the district on poppy day. The following were elected the executive for the ensuing term:—Messrs W. J. Bardsley (president), N. Buchanan, P. 11. Davies, W. J. Davies, W. Griffin, L. Hogg, G. Mainland, L. Sanderson, and G. Young. Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring executive and' Mr H. G. Griffin (secretary and treasurer). ANNUAL REPORT, The annual report of the executive stated Tho close of our first year left the League with a membership of fiftynine. This year it finished with sixtysix members. During the year the resignation of Mr J. M. Fraser, a member of tho executive, was received with regret, owing to his removal from the district. Mr A. Middleton was unanimously elected by the executive to fill the vacancy. This year Mr W. J, Bardsley was appointed president, and ho has devoted an immense amount of time and effort to furthering the interests of our district. A largo number of meeting*; have been held by tho executive during the year, and much good work, in committee, has been accomplished. The year commenced with a small credit balance and no outstanding liabilities, and the second year leaves the league in a similar position, which is extremely satisfactory. As the result of representations by the executive, the following matters were attended to:— (1) Extra seating accommodation provided at Burkes station. (2) Repairs to the path leading to Burkes station. (3) New lights installed in the station at St. Leonards and sundry painting matters attended to. (I) The matter of the overhead bridge to tho beach has been strenuously prosecuted, and this is a matter that will engage the attention of the executive during the year. (5) In conjunction with other harbour-side bodies, the executive was able to arrange for improvements in the running of certain trains and also secure two extra, trains. After two years of persistent effort, and largely as the result of personal interviews with departmental heads in Wellington by the president, tho league was able to secure a daily delivery of correspondence. This improvement is one that is thoroughly appreciated by residents in the district. The executive also obtained a posting box for the north end, which is a great convenience. Consequent on heavy easterly weather, some of the sand on the bathing beach was washed away, but, through the kindness of the Harbour Board, additional sand was deposited. By this means the beach was much improved, partly by the construction by tho executive personally, of a stone retaining wall, and was extensively used by the residents and juveniles. Various other matters were taken in hand by the executive and brought to a successful conclusion, amongst which were;—lmproved lighting at the hall, extra street lights, paths, repaired.