Canterbury Progress League

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1921, Page 4

Canterbury Progress League

The annual report of the League contains the following references: The work of completing the Otira Tunnel ,stil 1 remained in the forefront of the League’s many activities. During the period under review, close touch had been kept with the work throughout. When it was learned that a serious interruption vas occurring on account of the shortage of cement, authority was immediately obtained for the organiser to make a thorough investigation of the work. It was ascertained that the lack of cement supplies was retarding the work to a very marked extent, so much so that a continuance of the trouble would have resulted in a delay of at least twelve months in the completion of the tunnel. As a result of the League's timely action in tlu> matter, the Department was able to place a satisfactory order for imported cement, which enabled work to be carried out at the tunnel ever since, at a much higher rate of progress than would otherwise have been possible. A considerable amount of thought had been given to the subject of rural education. During the year an important advance had been made to Westland. With the approaching completion of the Midland railway, it was considered desirable that the old-time partnership between Last and West should again be restored through the agency of the League’s organisation. A branch was therefore established in Westland, with headquarters at Hokitika. and there were already indicationof highly satisfactory results being obtained. Although a decision had not been arrived at as to the locality of the .School of Forestry, the League had every reason to feel proud with the prospect of securing the School of Canterbury College, and the I (league’s efforts would be continued until finality was reached. The illustrated handbook on Canterbury had been enlarged and greatly improved bv a Westland edition. A wide and extensive distribution of the pamphlet had been carried out, and the number of interesting letters in reply that had been received from all parts of the world, offers sufficient evidence of the sufficient evidence of the success and effectiveness of the propaganda.