WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1921, Page 1

WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE.

TUESDAY, MAY 17th. The League held the monthly meaYr.g at 7.40 p.m. Present:—Alessrs R. Wild (Chairman), W. J. Jeffries, W. J. Butler, T. W. 'Bruce, D. J. Evans, A. G. Pilkington. An apology was made for the absence of Mr Perlurn, called away to Christchurch. The minutes of the previous mee’ing were read and confirmed. The outward correspondence was in- ] roved. , INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Westland A. and P. Assonation stating the suggestions for a larm school and bureau and annual show would be considered at the July mer,ting.—Received. The hope was expressed that- the matters would be taken up actively as soon as possible.

From Minister of Public Works |CI- - dying that the Department could not see its way to engage extra labour for South Westland works, owing to the financial stringency which it was hoped however would soon pass.—Received. From Same stating an engineer would be sent south as soon as possible to rejvort on Bruce Bay Landing.—Received with thanks.

From District Engineer of Railways replying that the Hokitika Borough Council and Westland County Councils were responsible for the Toad thoroughfare on the Hokitika railway bridge. Received; Tt was explained this reply was in answer to the Automobile Association for two turn outs on the bridge. From Westland Chamber of Commerce in regard to the temporary approaches to bridge over Little Wanganui river.—Received and resolved to vote £25 towards the £3OO required for the approaches. Some contributions towards the amount wore promised in the Toom.

Mr Evans reported in regard to an interview with Mr J. D. Gillies. Resident Engineer at Greymouth. The Engineer favored the proposal put forward lately by the conference of local bodies. Mr Gillies stated that most of the native timber timber was now available, at all events there was ample material <«n hand to start, and it was intended to call tenders for the work shortly. The site of the bridge was to bo resurveyed to define the altered course of the river, and when this information was available tenders would be called. It was agreed by the Engineer, that it would he possible to erect two or three spans on the north side to cross the main stream, and temporary approaches could he made. The remainder of fhe bridge could he erected from the southern side and when ready to join up, the two parts of the bridge could he connected.'- This was approved as quite satisfactory, and it was hoped the suggestion would he carried out by the Government.

It was mentioned tenders were to be called, for Wnitangi bridge shortly, and it was resolved to draw the attention of the’ Department to the slow progress with the Tetaho bridge contract. The construction of Wnitahn bridge was in hand.

A. vote of thanks was passed to the Revd. Dr. Holloway for his late lecture. Tt was resolved to ask Air ,T. B. Cowing of Arthur’s Pass to give his popular illustrated lecture on the Otira Tunnel works; also to ask Dr Teichelniann to give a lecture on the Southern Alps. The meeting passed a vote of sympathy to Mr Eggeling and family of Okuru in the recent bereavement suffered by the family. Mr Jeffries suggested that if the activities of the A. and P. Association could be revived, instruction in regard to wool classing should ho organised. There was a great need for improved local knowledge in regard to the classification of the wool produced. In the past thousands of pounds had l>een lost through the want of knowledge of the subject, and it was most desirable the matter should he taken up. Air Bruce and others present approved that the matter should be taken up, and it was decided to suggest to the Association that the annual meeting might be convened as early as possible, if convenient to be held at Hokitika, to enable townspeople, and settlors north and south t-o be present at Iho meeting and offer assistance in regard to the measures proposed for the advancement of farming pursuits in the district.

Mr Butler mentioned that Mr Will Lawson of Blenheim had been appointed organiser for the New Zealand Forestry League and would undertake a tour of the South Island shortly on propaganda work for the furtherance of public interests in forestry matters. The meeting concluded at 9.10 p.m.