LOCAL BODIES’ CONFERENCE,

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1922, Page 4

LOCAL BODIES’ CONFERENCE,

TOWN' HALL, HOKITIKA. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31st. The animal conference ol Local Bodies was held at the Town Hull at 7.30 p.ml’resent—Mr G. A. l’erry (Mayor) in the chair, lion. 11. L. Michel, Messrs ,J. Ritchie, T. W. Duff, W- J. Butler, K. F. Perhani, L. H. Morel, W. Jeffrips (County Chairman), Williamson, W. A. Jamieson, jas Fleming, Niven, Nightingale, Pilkington, Brown and D. J. Evans. The minutes were confirmed. REPORTS. Mr A. H. Keller reported on behalf of the Sub-Committee re improving the ocean frontage, that owing to no money being available there had been nothing done.—Received; Hon. H. L. Michel said there was a possibility of getting expenditure subsidised £ for £ if used to relieve unemployed, though he thought there were more pressing works than clearing up the beach. Re establishing a Tourist Bureau at Public Library, no report was made. It was stated that a room had been made available at the Free Public Library, but nothing else had been done it being’ held over till the coming tourist season.

Mr W. J Butler re providing an aviation landing at Sea A iew Hill regretted that no report wa s available in this connection. It was a subject however that he considered could be kept in view awaiting further developments. The Mayor moved that the Committee be asked to keep the subject matter in mind and report at a later meeting. Seconded by Mr Berlmm and carried. Mr I). J. Evans read an article on •‘Prospecting”, appearing in another column.—Received.

Mr Duff moved that Mr Evans be thanked for his paper and that the pro. po.sal be recommended to the Government. The Aralmra was a very promising district and if tho suggestion outlined was approved by the Government he had no doubt it would be supported by the local bodies. Seconded by Mr Ritchie.

Hon. 11. L. Michel supported. He felt tlie Aralmra district was a very promising locality for prospecting. The country was worthy of very much consideration. It would cost a considerable amount to prospect, a s pumping plant would be necessary. There was no better prospecting proposition than that of the Aralmra Valley. 'Hie Araltura was the only river on the West Coast that lia>. lmt carried a large milling populat inn. Tlie motion was then agreed to. Mr T. W. Duff moved:

That having regard to the unsuitability of the Ross train service, and the extra traffic thrown on the main road the Government be asked to place the bridges oir the main road In-tween Hokitika and Ross in a condition safe to carry heavy Ira (lie, including motorlorry transport. Air Duff said it was very necessary to urge the improvement of the bridges to early the licyry trui!ic. Mr L. FI. .Morel seconded the motion. The Government should he urged to carry out tjie work. The motion was then agreed to. Mr \V. Jeffries (County Chairman) moved : That in view of the apnroaeli of the Diamond Jubilee Year of Westland, and the suggestion the occasion should he marked by an Industrial Exhibition, a lommiCcc consisting of .Messrs Perry, Jeffries, Butler, Wild, Aitkcn. Davidson and lion. If. L. Miehel be set up to report to the September Conference of Local Bodies on ways and means to carry through the" project, and suggest a probable date which would be suitable, for tho eo-opeiation of outside exhibitors, including the members ol the Industrial Associations in Auckland. Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Air Jeffries said tile matter had been brought forward at the annual meeting of the Progress League. In July 11)21 they were going to celebrate this golden Jubilee of the West Coast and be thought it would be a worthy oppoiUtility to hold a monster exhibition. At present only 20 to 27“,’, of the acreage of Westland was occupied, and the exhibition would tend to assist in closer settlement of the district, lie was of opinion that if it was propelly launched the movement would prove a success. Seconded by Air AY. .). Butler who considered what. Air Jeffries bad said w;is quite to the point. The proposal if carried out would do a great deal for Hie Coast. The motion was agreed to.

Air I). .1. Evans moved : That this Conference of Local Bodies, while thanking the Government lor the marked progress made of late with the Otira Tunnel winks, joins with the Canterbury organisations in expressing it desire dial the through line of the East anil West railway might be operative as early as possible lor passenger trains and mail traffic at least, and to that end respeetfiilly suggests that the authorities should endeavour to arrange for the transport of the traffic referred to, throughout the coming summer.

Air Evans said it would be a day of great rejoicing when once tho through service wa s an accomplished fact. The Government, were doing good work, but. still they wanted to continue to give voice to their urgent desire for the completin'!] as soon its possible.

Seconded by Air Jeffries and carried. Jluii. 11. L. Alieliel moved: I'liat with a view to assisting the AA'est Coast dairying industry in general, and the Westland dairying industry in particular, this Conference of Local Bodies asks the Public Works Department to arrange for the transit of butler and cheese exports through the Otira tunnel for next dairying season so ns to avoid tho delay, deterioration, and loss now being sustained by the factories through the indifferent sett service provided for the exports at p resent. Note.— It is suggested one or more trucks a week might be provided through the tunnel on such day ami hour as would least interfere with the internal works, and if so fixed, tlie freight available could be arranged accordingly to suit the convenience of the Department.

In moving the abovo Mr Micliol said he did not think there would ho any undue delay to the contractors, by the using of one hour a day to allow their dairy produce to pass through. It would bo a great advantage to the dairy industry. Mi* James Fleming (Chairman of Kokatnhi Dairy Factory Coy.) seconded the motion. It would be a great advantage to the dairy community. During recent times they had been compelled, owing to irregular shipping fa-

cilities, to hare to consign butter over the Otira Gorge. If the proposal was agreed to it would be of decided advantage to dairy farmers. Mr L. H. A l ord (President of the Westland A and P. Association) supported the motion as a step in the l ight direction as when they had to send their butter over the hill, it had on that occasion considerably deteriorated. Mr AY. Jeffries supported. He thought that they should urge the speeding up of the whole work so that the whole of their produce could go through.

The motion was then carried. Air AY. A. Jamieson (Koiternngi) moved:

That the Conference of Local Bodies express satisfaction at the recent inauguration of the Winter School in Hokitika, and congratulates the authorities concerned on the enterprise and success of the gathering, which it is hoped will become an annual fixtuie , and to that-end the representatives ol Local Bodies present at the Confidence agree to ask their bodies to support financially the promotion of future schools in the district. Mr Jamieson congratulated the 1 regress Leagues of Westland and Cantosbul’v in bringing that school to Westland. It was one of the finest gatherings that had ever been held in AVest|,iud, especially for the farming community. The knowledge gained had given them much to think of in the future. If possible it would be better to bold the school in future about six weeks inter as then the dairy farmers would be able to attend in stronger force than they bad on the recent occasion. The school was the first opportunity they bad of having first hand information of a most valuable nature. He desired to convey to the representatives their very liest thanks for the valuable information supplied. Air J. Niven seconded the motion. He pointed out that at the time the school was held was when the professors said their holidays, a later date wolf'd not he convenient for them to attend. Air J. Ritchie said it would be a good proposal if the school could be taken to Mari Hnri, which was n rising district.

Air Evans said in regard to the date raised by Air Jamieson it bad been discussed with the Professors who had stated they would try and make the date next year some three weeks later. With regard to the centre it was ne es. sary to have tho most suitable centre. He pointed out that on the coming visit iff the Dairy Instructors that six days of their visit were devoted to South Westland. With regatd to the Winter School it. would be impossible to hold it at Hnri Iluri. as the question of travelling expenses and accommodation would be insuperable. Al, Eh ■ming suppoi ted the vote of appreciation of the W inter School which It.q| proved vetv valuable and instnict ive.

Air Pilkington considered it would be inadvisable to spoil the contiguity of the lectures. It was of decided balue to have the whole ol the lecturers and students together. They were assured a greater number of Ganteibuiy students at the next gathering. The motion was agreed to. Air J. .1. Alelntosh moved:

That it lie pointed out to tin* Hokitika Borough Council that lie | m-pos-il mooted at last Coiilereii**'*, and improved by the Council, nnm.’ly, tluil stops lie (alien to raise a small loan at a low rate ol interest, for the purpose of carrying out necessary pot nii nont improvements to tlie streets, foulpaths and drainage of tlie town, has not \ei been materially advanced, and that in view of the promising future in store for 1 l.e town, the I iiuneil be a -ki d again, respectfully, to proceed with tlie proposal, for which public opinion appears to lie opportunely ripe. Air Alelntosh said they all knew the Borough had only a limited finance, and therefore to carry out neeessaiy works in a reasonable time, they should obtain a loan. They bad Iniglil prospects for the future, that domamkd these necessary improvements. Air Duff seconded tli« motion. There was a considerable expenditure required to make the streets'wlmt they should be. though be recognised the Borough Council had done good work in the

)iast. Air Per ham said as a Borough Councillor, they had a press here and a public and there bail been no adverse criticism. He was of opinion they bad not done all that could have been done, but il was advantageous that Ike improvements bad been delayed hcca.uso money was getting cheaper. Hun. H. L. Michel said it was a matter o|‘ disappointment that - nothing had been done since last meeting. He believed the time was ripe and that, the majority of the people were ill favour of the proposals put forward. He Inuoured a small loan not exceeding £101)(), spread over three years, ita was of opinion there was no cleaner administrative local body in New Zealand than the Borough Council. If a scheme was put before the ratepayers he 101 l tlie v would approve of it. All Ritchie said there should he some protection on the sea beach in North Revel! Street.

Air I’ilkingtoii supported the motion and assui oil thorn that members of the Council generally supported the proposal. He fi|v»ured a fairly comprehensive scheme being formulated and carried out.

Air W. Jeffries favoured progress but lie did not know where L 1 u■ v were to giq the money at a low rate of in terest at present. The .Mayor said the Council bad the nigh rate of interest and difficulty of the raising of a loan, which bad doterrod them in the past. There was also the necessity to arrange for tho very heavy motor traffic that was cutting up their roads. The town was not in nn insanitary condition. Tho motion was then carried. The meeting then concluded.