Westland Progress League

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1922, Page 1

Westland Progress League

ANNUAL MEETING. TUESDAY, MAY Oth, 1922, ; Tile annual meeting of the League was hehl at, the Town Hall at 7.40 o’clock. Present: —Messrs W. .1. Jeffries (president), T. W. Duff, T. W. Bruce, C. S. Dalgliesli, A. B. Boyd, W. J. Butler, J. C. Mnefnrlane, G. A. Perry, F. Orr, A. G. Pilkington, R. Wild, J. J. Mclntosh, D. J. Evans and J. W. Morris. Apology was received for the absence of Mr Ritchie. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. ANNUAL REPORT. Mr Morris (hon. see.) read the report of the Executive. SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. The Executive has pleasure in presenting its report together with a statement of accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1922. Regular monthly meetings have been held, each third one being a general meeting, to which all members and the public generally were invited. Matters coming .within, the scope of the activities of the League and if this Committee, in particular have been discussed and are referred to later in the report. Throughout the year the .Committee has received the friendly support and co-operation of the Council of the parent League in Canterbury, members of which have the interests of Westland at 'heart, as well as. of their own province. FINANCE. The Committee has been hampered •n its activities owing to the lack of funds, contributions, particularly from members being very slow in coming in. The Council this year has again foregone the levy it is entitled to make, for which act of grace the special thanks of the Committee is due. The attached statement of accounts sets out the position fully. OTIRA TUNNEL'.-" It is claimed that the pushing to completion of the Otira Tunnel is of supreme importance to Westland and the League, both hero and in Canterbury, has held that view and has persistently urged the rapid completion of tile means of direct communication between East and West Coasts. It is now confidently anticipated that through communication will he available in November next. SOUTH WESTLAND.

South Westland inntteis have engaged the attention of the League, chief among Which may he mentioned — the bridging of the Waitaha, Kakapotalii and Little Wanganui rivers, the Bruce Bay Landing, Ross railway service and Southern mail service, in all of which it may he claimed the League was" instrumental in-effecting changes or expediting construction. Mr Markman, Assistant Secretary I*. and T. Department, was interviewed when in Hokitika with the result that the Woodstock telephone service was reinstated, re-arrangements were made with respect to Southern mails and the Southern telephone service was thoroughly overhauled.

Matters of less local but more na-j tjonnl importance as the consideration of tariff amendment, forestry legislation nml Government Tourist Bureau service have also been discussed and recommendations have been -made to the autliorities for consideration. i RURAL EDUCATION. j During the year, owing to repeated i requests to the Department,, arrange- j meats were in .hand f-or a visit from the j Government Biologist, Dr Cockayne, 1 and Mr Clayton, dairy expert. Dates , had been fixed and an itinerary ap- | proved hut at the last moment arrange-1 incuts were cancelled by the _Depni t- , ment. Much regret was expressed at! the time as a visit from these Govern- \ incut experts to the various farming ; districts would have been very bench-| einl. The matter,, however, was not dropped and arrangements were made for a visit later in the year. Now however the fanners are given the oppur- , (unity of meeting other lecturers at the , forthcoming Winter School and it is hoped they will make good use of the | opportunities offered. . i Lectures and Ropers—Two L'ctuies of public interest w.ere delivered under the auspices of the Gagne, one »’ Mr J, Bushby Cowing—the story (>f Otira Tunnel; the other by Dr Teiehclmanii, Christchurch to Wiulio. Both lectures were illustrated and. " e,e much appreciated. Air Dalgle.sh delivered a paper on “Grasses—Native and Imported,” ami on another occasion an interesting paper on “Costing 'Accou.itauev” bv Mr Butler was read. Mi Murdoch' of Boss also sent in an interesting paper on “Bee Culture” which was read and appreciated. Bv these means, lectures and papers, the League is endeavouring to make available to all. the benefits of wider thought and free discussion, tTius obmating seme of the disabilities of "Westland in its separation from the centres where the benefits of wider educational facilities arc offered. Arrangements are also in hand for a series of lectures to he delivered by mcniliers of the Christchurch Philosophical Society, who have expressed their willingness to come over (or the purpose. Y.M.C.A. Party:—With a view to advertising Westland, the League took in hand in December last the arrangements for a visiting party of Y.M.C.A. from Christchurch who intended walking to Lake Kanieri. It was felt that the impression made on a party, of some 50 men touring these parts would he beiioncial to the Coast, nnd if the remarks of that party nifty lie accepted as criterion, it will prove but the precursor of many other touring parties from different parts. Following the interesting visit, Dr Teiclielmann veiy kindly gave a series of displays of "Westland scenic pictures ,in Christchurch, the hall being crowded out on each occasion. The Const received a splendid advertisement, the results of which con-.

tinue to be felt in. the. number of extra visitors (joining to the district. Winter School May 15th-20th.—The Winter School is now engaging the attention of the Committee aiid arrangements, are well in hand. Details have already appeared in the Press and a higlilv successful and profitable week is anticipated. Men of outstanding ability arc amor,' the lecturers for tlie peek’s classes and much benefit must accrue t.o the community both agricultural and general. Though primarily intended as a seh 101 for farmers, the scope of the classes has been widened to include students and all interested in general educational matters; and the support of the whole community is solicited in making the Winter School a suc<ess and so ensuring its continuance n other years. . Central Council.- Regret must he expressed that Air Alallroy who represented this Committee was forced to resign owing" to his leaving Christchurch but his place has been ably filled by Mr Board anil the thanks of the Committee ale due to him for his serviqesf in worthily representing Westland on the Central Committee. In conclusion the Committee desires to place on record its thanks to the Westland County Council and the B» ro u«h Council for the free use of tlie Count? Chambers and Town Hall for meeting purposes; and also to the Press for the liberal assistance given hv it oil everv occasion.— Received. The balance-sheet showed receipts, £45 4s 3d; and the expenditure £36 14s id. The liabilities totalled £49 12s 9d. and the cash assets £l6 15s.—Received. - . . „ The President, in moving tlie adoption of the report and balance-sheet referred to the work the League bad done in South Westland, particularly in securing tlie erection of the bridges. Mr Jeffries spoke also of the promising success of the Winter School, winch was to open on Alonday next Th. local people were supporting the P><>iect very well. The League had done its best in regard to securing instructive lectures. Looking forward to tho future, the Chairman urged that the diamond jubilee of tlie district, winch would he celebrated at the beginning of 1924, might lie commemorated with nn industrial exhibition. He hoped such a project would he taken up with interest, as he was sure the district could make an excellent display. Air Bruce seconded the motion, and the report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

President-Air O. J. Evans; vicepresident, Air AY. J. Jeffries; committee Messrs Duff, Bruce, Dalghesh, .Boyd, Butler. Ritchie, Maefarlane, l’erry. Orr, AYihl, Pilkington, Mclntosh: hon. sec. and treas., Air J. AA . Morris. Representative on Canterbury League, Air F. Broad. GENERAL.

p R. Climie. organiser of the Canterbury League, wrote stating the president and himself would arrive on Tuesday next, as the president was delayed in'Dunedin. The Canterbury party would number at least a dozen. - t Climie mentioned also that the League was taking action in reference to urging Bruce Bay Landing works.—Received, and resolved to notify All Ritchie of the latter action. The Westland Chamber of Commerce notified the I-oeal Bodies Conference had been fixed for Mny 31st. inviting attendance, and asking for notices oi motion. —Received, and resolved the Executive attend. The Minister of Public AVorks wrote ■formal letters, acknowledging enquiries in regard to culvert on Ferguson’s road and Bruce Bay 'Lauding work, and promising to reply later. The Tourist Department notified tlie visit of Messrs Ebbert and Blake, who were compiling a new itinerary guide on behalf of tlie Department, and bespeaking support to the publication. Received. It was stated that the representatives were engaged mainly in collecting advertisements for the work.

Mr F. O’Flynn, l’unnnga, wrote in regard to the proposed visit of lecturers from the Philosophical Institute, and said the AV.E.A., at Greymouth, would he prepared to co-operate with the League in airanping for the visit. -Received with thanks, to await further particulars of the visit. The Chairman referred to the A\ inter School opening next Monday, and Moksi-s Evans, Jeffries, Wild, Bruce, Dalgliesli and .Morris were appointed an executive to make all necessary arrangements. It was resolved to visit the AA'inter Show'at Kokatahi next Tuesday afternoon, and if "possible to arrange for a. lecture to be given by one of the visiting professors.

On the motion of Air Jeffries, a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to all those who had contributed lectures and papers during the year for tho entertainment of League members. Afr Mclntosh referred to the protracted delay in regard to the AYaitaha bridge approaches, and it was resolved to again bring the matter under the notice of the Government.

The Chairman remarked that the finances needed strengthening, and ur.pod that the membership should he enlarged. It was resolved to take the .matter tip after the AVinter School. Some general matters were disposed of, and thef meeting concluded at 9 p.m.