Canterbury Progress League.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1922, Page 1

Canterbury Progress League.

A', the annual meeting held'at Christchurch on Wednesday evening the President (Mr A. G. Henderson; in moving the adoption of the annual report in the. course of an interesting address said:—“l have to thank you for having..given me the opportunity at serving in a lnimblo way the province that gave me birth, and that educated me. and to which I owe whatever measure of prosperity and happiness have eome to me,” said Mr Henderson, in conclusion. “1. leave this work not without regret and with the hope that it may be possible in a little while again to take an active part ill working out your plans for the future of this beautiful province.” He desired to express his deeji thanks to all the members and officers of the league for the way in which they had supported him, and he specially commended the organiser (Mr Climie) and Secretary (.Mr Jloare), who were two of the finest Canterbury men that any organisation could have (Applause). Mr Henderson then moved the adoption of the annual report. Mr A. I’. Wright, the treasurer, seconded the adoption of the report. Mr \Y. Jeffries, president of the Westland Committee of the league, said that he wished to place on record the great assistance given by the league to Westland, which owed it entirely to Canterbury that the Otira tunnel had been speeded up. Any provincial jealousy would disappear as soon as the two coasts wore linked up, and no member of the league need feel any doubt that with the vast wealth of the West Coast behind it, Christchurcl: njust become the .premier city of the .Dominion. (Hear, hear.) The interests of both districts were .identical and instead of West Coast trade going to Wellington, it would eome to its natural port, Lyttelton. (Applause). He hoped that the efforts of the league would make a homogeneous whole ol both provinces. The Hon Joseph Grimmoml,. AI.L.C., epoke in support of Mr Jeffries. The report and balance sheet were adopted. PRESIDENT'S SERVICES ACKNOAVI.EDGED. The president nominated as his .successor .Mr W. IC. M’Alpine, chairman of the Tawern County Council, and vicepresident of the league. He spoke in highly appreciative terms of Mr Al’Alpine’x kindly disposition and tael, combined with much shrewdness and com-mon-sense. Air Jell'ties seconded Air M'Alpine's nomination, and in the absence of further nominations Air AC Alpine was declared elected, and took the chair. Air Al 'Alpine, in returning thanks.' said that for the past two years lie had nominated .Air Henderson for the presidency. and he had consented only under great pressure.AA'hat the league thought of Air Henderson could be seen from a letter that had just been sent In him over the signature of every member of the executive, as follows: — "We desire to express W you our

hearty appreciation of your services to ike league since its inception, and also to say to you that as our president during the last two years you have earned our entire confidence in the responsible and onerous position you occupy. AA'e further ask that in view of this confidence, and in the best interests of the league, you will, in spite of the sacrifice of your own personal interests involved, accept nomination for our presidency for the coming year.” Over the signature of every member of the West Coast executive the AAVstland branch had written :—“lt- would be cx- < eedingly fitting to our minds that when in the course of tlie next few months traffic through the Arthur’s Pass tunnel will be arranged Air Henderson should be president of the league, which has done so much to focus attention on the great national

work, t hereby speeding up the completion of the through line greatly ahead of the period which at one stage seem'd to he not improbable.” Air Al’Alpine also read letters from the editor of the “Press” (Air Al. C. Keane), and the editor of the “Sun,” expressing their very great appreciation of the president’s work, and the importance of securing his services for a further term of office. LOOKING AHEAD. In a forecast of the year’s work. Air Al’Alpine said that he would follow the programme outlined by AH Henderson. continuing the policy of helpful co-operation with the Government authorities, which was greatly appreciated in AA’ollingtmi. The tunnel scheme would he completed in from six to, nine months. The Hilcv scheme was being pushed, and in that connection he could testifv to the sympathetic consideration "given by the Christchurch authorities to any representations by he league. In promising to-do what he could to further the interests of the province and the Dominion, AH AT.’Alnino declared that he regarded the league as the most important-organisa-tion in the province.