PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1922, Page 4

PROGRESS LEAGUE.

MEETING AT TOWN iIALL.

A meeting was held in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock to meet the delegation of the Canterbury Progress League on a visit to inspection to Westland. Mr D. J. -Evans , (President oik the Westland branch ol \ the League) presided, and stated that J last evening they had formally welcomed them. They were now here to meet them and discuss matters affecting the welfare of the district. They hoped that they would liave a continuance of ' that support whiah would mean the ’ putting of “l 1 ” into progress for W est- ! land. | Mr A. G. Henderson (President of the Canterbury Progress League) after ex- | pressing his appreciation of the hospil- | able welcome accorded, said they had ! conic over to find out- at first- hand the requirements of the district. 1 hey recognised that the first work for the district as it was for Canterbury, was the completion of the Otira tunnel. Tlicv wore not satisfied i-hat the work 1 was going oil as fast as they expected 1 it .should lie, hut they were to make a closer inspection on their return journey and would he able to speak more dciiiiitely ilicn. Generally speaking it was but fair to acknowledge that the 1 Government had done the fair thing by | the people of Canterbury anff West j Coast in connection with the railway. : but it was felt that the, sooner the line j was working the better for all. They were going to make an inspection of the progress of tile South Westland bridges next day. They had thought these were going on well ami were very much disappointed at the slow progress that had been reported. recognising their necessity as a feeder to the limI nol when completed,. They were there- ! fore making a visit south for the pur- | pose of personal inspection. He asj mired them that the Canterbury Lea- . gue were not neglectful of the future j possibilities of Westland. They felt that ; the district was at its rebirth and as business men knew it was a good dlsi trim to hoy into. Canterbury was out j to do its utmost to advance this district | both districts having a material community of interests in each other, which the people of Canterbury were ! desirous of fostering. He thanked I them for the generous hospitality alI ways shown to Canterbury visitors and j referred at some length to the success | aehhved by the local branch of the | beagiie. commending the work of the | execution members as being most valil- . abb- to the district. Mi MeAlpine (viee-President) endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, emphasising the value of the work of the League, ll mis the aim of tile League not to ask for the impossible j and bv the moderation of their demands and the manner in which they had urgj ed mi public noces-il ies tavy ll id been 1 Pas.gtlised and appreciated so that the j power ami iullueoce of the J.cague was j |! dally increasing. In connection with j Otira Tunnel they hoped to have an I interview with Mr Massey at Chi'ist- [ church at an early date when the speeding up of the completion would be urged. It would lie pointed out that tile interest hill on the iineninpletoj work was piling up at the rate of £IOOO per week, with no prospect of earning anything until the work was in running order. He emphasised the valuable work done by the local branch since its inception and assured them llial tin' people of Canterbury desircO to work lianj in hand with Westland for the advancement of both districts Mr (Timie (Organism) also supported the general remarks given voice to, and referred to the status of the League with its every increasing prestige, lie appreciated the weak of the local liram-h and stated they would appreciate a delegation from the Coast to sup[m 11 1 the Canterbury League when they met the I’remier shortly to urge on necessary works. It was recognised that Canterbury and Westland had mutual interests, and the people of Canterbury were gladly extending the hand of friendship t<> Westland lor all time Mr 1). J. Evans said that they were glad to hear the list remark and he assured them Westland was ready to grasp the offered hand. They had to thank them already for a great amount of assistance and he was glad to hear the oiler of the seavecs of Mr Climie if required, because there was one matter which lie felt would la' of great use ami that was if Mr Climie could visit Westland and make an independent enquiry and report on Forestry legislation as affecting this district. Such a report would lie of great value to the people of this district and also to those in Canterbury. They had also to thank the Canterbury League for tlm inauguration of the Winter School and though it bad not been taken advantage as much as they laid hoped for, those who had l.he pleasure of attending had found much to their advantage and had been greatly refreshed thereby. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Canterbury Progress League for past favors ad trusted to continue to have their fullest aspiration in the future. AI r W. Jeffries seconded the motion and expressed appreciation of past support given by their Canterbury friends. He appreciated the reference of Mr Henderson and joined with him in saying that they should not irritate the Government with any pinpricks, recognising they were doing their utmost as far as the financial position would allow.

Mr Bruce supported and enquired as to the pi ogress for the commencement of tlie School of Forestry in Christchurch. |)r. Teichelmann in supporting voiced his deep appreciation of the support given by the League when he was showing ‘'Beautiful Westland” in Christchurch, the success achieved being due

to their efforts. Mr Henderson in acknowledging the vote, expressed his keen appreciation of Dr. Teicholmann’s fine pictures. I hail seen them four times and was not yet satisfied. He thought they should lie utilised for advertising Westland throughout New Zealand and if it could not ho financed from this end then he thought Canterbury would assist. Ho again thanked them for their kindly vote of appreciation. As far as the School of Forestry was concerned that was at ft standstill the question of finance being the cause.