Westland Branch Canterhury Progress League.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1923, Page 2

Westland Branch Canterhury Progress League.

i THURSDAY, MARCH Ist. j ’ J i The monthly meeting of the Branch f ' was held at the County Chambers at , 740 p.m. Present; -Messrs Evans ; (President), Jeffries, Butler, Ferbam. j Maefarlano, Pilkington, Bruce, Morris ■ (lion, secretary). | The minutes of the previous meetiii<r were I’cntl flnd coiiiiiniod. j I Arising out of the minutes, Air Per- I I ham moved that further represent a- j tions be made to the Government with regard to pushing on the Arahura-Awa-tuna-Kumar.i Junction road. Air Alacfarlnne seconded.—Carried.

The outward correspondence was approved. INWARD COR RES PON HENCE. From Inter-Wanganui Hairy Coy.. Heropo. asking protest be made in respect to the tax and restrictions being imposed on motor lorry traffic on the main south road, as being distinctly harmful to the dairying industry.—-Re-ceived.

From Gibbs Bros. Wailm. on same subject to a like client.—Received. 1 he President stated that it was likely that the restrictions stopping motor lorry traffic for live months of the year would not be enforced. Ihe tax would l)o probably, but tlio restriction io loading was serious. However the District Engineer proposed to confer with the motor lorry owners next week at Hokitika, and the southern representations would he placed before Mr Gillies and as much relief as possible obtained. It was resolved to hold the matter over till after tho visit nf tlio Engineer.

| From Westland Chamber of Commerce, notifying meeting of local bodies in conference.—Received. From same forwarding resolution regarding in-pert ion of Arthur’s Pass tunnel work,-. Received; 1 lie J’resi--1 dent said the corks were now so far . advanced that the action proposed was not necessary. Air Jeffries said good progress was being made nil along the line. Iln Tuesday the deviation to Springfield station was opened, and passengers were now very comlortahlv entered for at the new station. I From Westland County Council ao- ■ knowledging letter in respect to complaints from Okarito which had been ion side red previously by the Council. Received. j From Kokatahi Dairy Coy., asking action to secure the transport of butter through tlio tunnel.—Received. From District Engineer, Public 1 Works Department, replying it was • Imped to resume the transport of butter through the tunnel in Alareh.—Received and to notify the Kokatahi Dairy Coy.

From Reef ton Progress League enquiring proposals for celebrating the opening of the Arthur's Pass tunnel. Deceived ; The Secretary stated a reply had been sent that, the Canterbury League was being consulted. Front Organiser Canterbury Progress League acknowledging copy of minutes and resolutions respecting railway matters.- Received. From Chief Telegraph Engineer replying that authority for the Coast to Canterbury metallic telephone service had been given and the work would he started as soon as possible.—Received; Air Jeffries stated one of the engineers was now on the Coast in connection with the matter.

From Minister in Charge of Tourist Traffic stating he hoped to visit Westland in the near future.— Received. From Afinister of Public Works replying in respect to the request from the Sawmillers’ Association that lie hoped to he able to make an early announcement with regard to goods traffic through the iiiniiol.—Received.

TUNNEL CELEBRATION FUNCTION

Arising irom the reading ol the last letter, the President invited Air Jeffries to report regarding the interview with Air Coates last week on the subject. Mr Jeffries said the Minister seemed .ho; clul of mi early opening, and had promised to make the earliest ammmicemeiu of an appiexim.de date. He ir.be Minister) thought lie would he able to make a public statement about the end of February, so that tbe information would be available shortly.

Tiie President reported in respect to a conference w ith ihe Organiser ol the parent League at Christchurch, who had a -elieme for celebration in mind, and who as soon as the date was available. would confer with the I’iinie Minister and Ministers of Public Woi'KS and Riiluac- as to the Guvvrnmeu part' in the I'unetion which the League was anxious to see rained out. lit addition, tlie League would also issue a souvenir booklet and any suitable photogiaplis for illustration would he itc-eei t hie. The President added a meeting had he, n enlivened by the Mayor of (. rev mouth for next Monday to discuss a celebration proposal. It was resolved that the President attend Hint explain the position as far as the League v. n touterned. and also sug-ge-1 that any ( o.i-lal arrangements might he adjusted to meet the proposals of the Cauterbiuy League.

The [’resident went on to say that as they were considering the eelebtati, u ot the ■ 1 1 111 itintion of the agitation for the eompletion of the tunnel works, they should not forget the splendid work done hv the Canterbury Progress League and the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce during l-“o yea i s of agitation. It wa- resolved to invite the Executive and metnbeis ot the l-eague, as also of the Canterbury ( iiamber, to a complimentary dinner at Hokitika on the night oi tin- official opening, the proceedings to conclude wih a public hall Invitations to the function will he extended aNo to Ministers and hading members ot Parliament, as also heads ot public departments associated with the tunnel works and the metropolitan press representatives. The President and Secretary were appointed a sub-committee to deal with the matter, and convene a further meeting of the Branch as occasion required. WINTER SCHOOL.

The President said enquiries were being received as to the date for this year's Winter School. He thought that was a healthy sign. As far as could lie gathered the date was contingent oil the time fixed for the University term holidays. It was Tesolved to make enquiries from Mr Belshaw now on tne Coast and have the matter further

considered at the March monthly meet-

iny;. The meeting concluded at 8.40 p.