The Hokitika Guradian MONDAY. AUGUST 14th, 1922. RETURN OF THE DELEGATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guradian MONDAY. AUGUST 14th, 1922. RETURN OF THE DELEGATION.

Thk gentlemen who spent a week in Christchurch in connection with the advancement of local interests, returned on Saturday, and express satisfaction as to the result of the-trip to Canterbury. It wa, stated they received a very cordial welcome on all sides, and met. many prominent people in the city and in the country districts, all of whom displayed a keen interest in the welfare of the Coast. There is no doubt in the minds of the delegates as to the degree of interest taken by the Canterbury people as a whole in the future to b« brought about by the through operation of the East and West Coast railway. The folk on the other side of the range are highly interested in the project, and express the liveliest concern as to the future. Oanterbuiy is ready and willing to help the Coast all it can in the speedy opening of the line, j and on every possible occasion showed a special desire to do so. Not any less interested was the attitude of the newspapers of the cities which day by day chronicled., the doings and sayings of the visitors in regard to the week's etay in and about Christchurch. A very friendly and intimate interest has thus grown up, and Westland by rea. son of its affiliation with the Canterbury Progress League appears to be in speeiil favor on the East Coast. It is hoped to have all the Coast linked up with the parent League in the near future. The near approach of the opening of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel will make the two Coasts practically one, and in regard to public spirit and action it would bo well to see the people of the several communities united in tlie common task of securing general advaniage. There arc independent leagues at Westport and Roofton and a moribund league at Grey mouth. If these three centres would affiliate with Canterbury it woould liman a united West Coast and the branch committees on this side of the range could work in un'son for a common cause. The principal task that was sot in the first plaee of hastening the completion of the tunnel is now all hut accomplished. There are other great railway works of outstanding interest to be taken in hand. First and foremost after this year will be the linking up of the Westport-Reefton line, whore remains a comparatively small gap. The influence of united opinion on such a work |

would be of great importance. There is also to come the railway connection through to Nelson via Murchison. Westland district owes .some loyalty to this project for the reason that in years past. Nelson influence and Nelson mono,* were devoted to the promulgation of the East and West Coast railway scheme, with which was involved the Nelson connection also. Any agita. tion therefore which can aid the Nelson province to link with Westland should be consistently supported from this end and at the deputation to the Government on the subject last week, it was pleasing to note that the Mciwtci foi Westland was a supporter of the great project which has heon referred to. The time is at hand, also, when this district can ask with every reason to have the district railway pushed into South Westland. Once there is the outlet by wa v of the tunnel, it will "lx? expedient to supply all possible feeders to tho arterial line, and in that connection the South Westland railway will become a worn of importance. There will he plentv of good work for the Coast leagues to do. Last week’s -visit indicated how ready Canterbury was to cooperate in matters of national interest to add to the means of general conVniunieation. and that spirit being rif4 its influential character should induce the fullest interest in working for the common progress rtf the West Coast.