Westland Progress League.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1922, Page 4

Westland Progress League.

TUiE&DAT, FEB. 21st

[Che Jueague met at 7.80 p.m. Present Mpsgrs ;W. J. Joffices (Chairman), J. 1 tßitohie, ill. On-, A. G. Pilkington, D. 1 J. Evans, J. H. Morris, W. Dalgleish.' Apologies yyqre tnade .for th e absence of Messrs j\V- J. Sutler, R. (Wild, and J. J. iVlolntosh. [Che minutes of the previous meeting yy-ere read and confirmed.

The outward correspondence was approved : 1

Arising out ,qf .the ntjnptos of the pre-' vious ,ipeejjiqg iVtr Jqffi-ies reported ,that .the deptitatiqn liad waited ,on the Ab.sistftpt ,§qci;etj\ry { to Post Offices, and, .replies would be ,to the. [League i,n due pourse. The qnestio.n of. [Or [Teiehelmann giving his illustrated ‘ lectures in other centres of the [Domin- 1 ton was under consideration, and it was hoped something would be done in the, near future. The League, with the. assistance of the local bodies had been able to get an improved train service, to and from Ross.

Mr Jeffries referring to a recent visit, south said he had ridden over Bold Head road n,nd found a good job wasi being done of the tramway. At the Knkapo-t-ahi bridge fifteen piles were in, and. at the Little Wanganui bridge nine piles were driven. [Roth works were progressing most satisfactorily, and in a) few weeks’ time would be available for public traffic. PROPOSED WINTER SCHOOL. From P. R. Climie, organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, thanking the Westland League for kind wishes extended' in respect to late nceidont, and promising every assistance to Westland as far as was in his power.—Received. From same in respect to holding a winter school at Hokitika in May next. —Received. Mr H. Belshnw 8.A., of GrcyniouHh, here attended and was introduced to the members of the League present. The Chairman heartily supported the proposed movement, and invited discussion.

Mr Pilkington suggested that the Longue support the offer made by the parent League. Mr Belsliaw by invitation addressed th e meeting on the proposed work, including the W.E.A. organisation. The latter wns for adult education. Various classes were being organised on the Coast. A farm school had been proposed for Hokitika, and the matter had been discussed in Christchurch. The date for the winter school was suggested between May loth and 20th., that being the period which would suit the Canteibuvy professors, who would come over nr cl give the lectures without fee. It was pic,posed the winter school would be for farmers, teachers, Students, and

members of the W.E.A. Lectures would be given in the morning. Professor Shelly had offered to lecture on rural education. It was hoped other distinguished lecturers wo,*ld speak on pastures and stock diseases. Other lecturers would be free agents and instead of giving a set lecture, would get in touch with farmers and talk over farm troubles and difficulties in an informal way. A general educational lecture would be given each day. The afternoon would be devoted to a study of farm matters, and the evenings spent in lighter vein as may be arranged. It would be a matter for the League to arrange local accommodation and attend to the necessary propaganda work to make the proposed school known throughout the district. It was likely some 50 young farmers would attend from .Canterbury. A local executive would he necessary to carry out tho work. It was probable a monetni-y grant would ho made by Canterbury College. In addition the Canterbury League would contribute and local funds would require to he raised. The money so raised would he subsidised by

tho Government. The pupils would have to pay their own expenses. The lecturers’ travelling expenses would have to lie paid. There would bo six lecturers in all. It was estimated that the cost of faros and lward for the leourers would run into about £42. Hie ‘Canterbury fanners would pay their own expenses, as it would give the voung men a!n opportunity of seeing tho district. The proposed school was the first of its kind in New Zealand, that is, carried out on the present scale. Mr Belsliaw said the W.E.A. organisation would be attempted in Hokitika, starting off with classes in economic? and English literature, and also in attempting to form a hlerarv and debating society. The scheme desired to give tlie opening to people to study various

subjects so ,i»k to think more clearly. It aimed to do the people good mentally, and Mr Helshaw asked for the support of the League in the work in hand. My Jeffries strongly supported the

proposal for the winter school. The movement would he of great advantage to Westland— and to the farmers in particular. He hoped the forces would consolidate and make Lie school a success—it would be a great benefit to the whole Coast. No hotter opportunity had been offered the district. The scheme was a raire opening for tho farmers and should he taken the fullest advantage of. Mr Jeffries supported tho W.E.A. proposals as a step in the ri -lit direction. Mr D. J. Evans moved the offer of the Progress League he accepted with thanks, and that steps be taken to give tho proposed winter school effect. Mr Evans said it was a golden oppor* tunity which should appeal to all, and he felt the occasion could be made a

great success Mr A. G- Pilkington seconded and heartily supported the proposal which would be all to the benefit of the farming community. , Mr Ritchie felt the matter would he taken up readily by the people of the district, and those who attended the school would profit from the experience. Mr orr said the position was very clear and they should co-operate and make the school a, success. The information to be afforded would he of great value to the farmers. With regard to the W.E.A. proposal, the members present offered every support to the movement and it was agreed to attend any public meeting called to that end. Mr Belshaw ttiank-

eql the mentbqrs for .their pfffir said an interesting series of piiblic lectures would be given, affording every opportunity for intellectual upliftment. Mr -Morris wa-< appointed local correspondent to keep in touch with Mr Belshaw and the latter was invited to give an address at the Westland A and P. Show on the aims and objects of the winter school. A vote oi thanks was accorded Mr Belshaw for his attendance at the meeting.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From F.C. Board, representative on the parent -League, Christchurch, reporting on the proceedings of the last League meeting.—Received with thanks.

From W. iMcVilly, notifying new timetable for Ross railway line. —Re-

ceived. From Minister of Public Works pro- 1 mi sing to look into the matter of 1 the substitution of hardwood for silver' pine sleepers.—-Received. 1 From Forestry Department on the' same subject and giving the official perience that tota-ra timber was superior to silver pine ami that silver pine was superior to hardwood for' steepers.—-Received and copy to be sent to Mr C. A. Jolly and the Minis-! ter of Public Works. : GENERALOn the motion of Mr Ritohie a voteof thanks was accc; Jed Messrs Jeffries and Evans for attending deputationto the Postal Department. Mr Evans .'tnted ho had learned that Mr Climie had suggested Westland see-, nory might he utilised in the proposed new Annette Kellcrman moving picture and Mr Sullivan the promoter would visit Hokitika shortly when the matter could be discussed. The Chairman Mr Morris and Mr Evans were appointed to interview Mr Sullivan. Mr Orr referred to the fact that Mt Greenland track was in a neglected state and if it were reopened horses could l>e ridden to the top which was an area nearly as largo as ,Cass Square. The height of the mountain was 2968 feet, and visitors to Ross would enjoy a, jaunt to the top, if the beauties of

view were more widely known. It was resolved to suggest the Ross Borough Council should apply for a tourist grant to reopen the track, and that Mr H. Osmcrs be asked to write a paper on the scenic aspfcet of Mt Greenland for the next League meeting. Air Orr mentioned also that an interesting round trip by way of Kokatahi to the head of Lake Kanieri if the Kokatahi-Styx track were opened. It was resolved to ascertain the cost of the latter work, and endeavour to have the round trip arranged for next season. In order to avoid clashing with the opening of the Chautaqua season at was resolved tc hold the next meeting of the League on Monday. March 20t-h. As it will be the quarterly meeting members are invited to contribute papers or reports on subjects of local interest. The meeting concluded at 9.10 p.m.