PROGRESS DELEGATION

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1922, Page 2

PROGRESS DELEGATION

RESUME OF VISIT. SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 12. . The Westland delegation, concluding its visit yesterday, had a busy, time, spent in visiting various industries including Aulsebrooks aild Kaiapoi Woollen Mills. Some of the party also went to Lincoln College. The stay in Christchurch proved very enjoyable and enlightening. Considerable interest has been aroused in the proposed exhibition, which is likely to have very general support from this side. The good offices of the New Ztalntid Industrial Association are likely to he secured through the Canterbury Progress League, and support from that quarter is likely to he Very influential.

The weather for the stay has been very good, and naturally added greatly to the enjoyment of the trip. The Christchurch “ Press ” to-day has the following interview, summarising | the results of the visit“ Mr Evans. , one of the members of the West Coast j delegation, which has been in town during the week, informed a representative of the “Press.” yesterday that as regards matters the delegation had discussed with the Executive of the Canterbury Progress League on Wednesday, every encouragement had been received. From other points of view the visit of the West Coasters had been highly satisfactory. Members of the delegation had visited a number of manufacturers, and some of them visited Lincoln College, and the County Council members had inspected roadmaking machinery operated by the Heathcotc County Council. All were grateful to the Progress League for the invitation to visit Christchurch, and desired to express their appreciation of the kindness received from members of tltc Executive of the League, from Mr Climie (the League’s Organiser) and from the proprietors of factories visit-

ed. A noteworthy feature of the delegation, Mr Evans remarked, was that ft represented not only Westland, but the West Coast. It consisted of representatives from Buffer, Inangalnia Grey and Westland. The West Coast naturally was awaiting the opening for traffic of Arthur's Pass tunnel, Mr Evalls said, “and was anxious to cooperate in any way in order to hasten that desired state of things. As tar as can be gathered, the Government is going fuff steam ahead, and there seems ilo doubt that every effort is being mad* 1 to have the line in operation as soon as possible. This is gratifying to the people on the Coast, who. as in he past, are exercising patience. It is interesting to note that through railway communication between East and West Coast will become ail accomplished tact about the time that marks the important anniversary in the history ol es■ - land. The vear 1924 will he the diamond iubilee of Westland, the sixtieth anniversary of the rush to the gold diggings. The opening of the tunnel, will it is believed, result m another rush, and just as the Coast flourished exceedingly in those far off days of the gold diggings, so it is fully expected , it will he rejuvenated when through railway communication is established, and will have a prosperous time ahead. Conditions have changed considerably since 1864. The country has been largely opened up. There are now more and better roads and many of the rivers have been bridged and communications between the different localities are easier and more eoinfor - able Settlement has extended and alluvial mining which was the princion lindustry in the old days has giva'li place to dairying, as far as Wes - land portion of the Coast is considered and to sawmilling in other pai't*-. With through railway communion - j lion; the West Coast will always have j a market available for its surplus , stock and produce. Referring to the exhibition proposed to lie' held to commemorate the ] Diamond Jubilee of Westland, -■> Evans said that it would probably stand over two or three months. It was hoped to secure the services ot Air Climie as Director and negotiations with that end in view have been opened between the Westland Committee of the Progress League and Executive of the League. It was al*o hoped that on the next occasion when Mr Climie paid ins periodical visit, ot an inspection to Arthur’s “ n „el, he would go to Hokitika to discus’s details of the exhibition. Cass Square, named after one * f tli pioneer surveyors of Canterbury, which has an area of nine acres and •i half will, it is hoped, he made available by the Borough Council for exhibition ' buildings. With the assistance of manufacturers it is hoped to make the Exhibition one thoroughly iepre sentative of the Dominion’s industries Tt is proposed to apptoac New' Zealand Industrial Oorpomtion through Canterbury Progress League with the object of securing the co operation of the corporation.