THOSE INVITATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1923, Page 3

THOSE INVITATIONS.

A \Vr-'ITa|;T i’IaiTKST, At the montliiy meeting oi the P.ulier Progress League held ..t Westport on Tuesday, the Hon. J. It. Coates torwarded. at the instance <>l Mr A. Taylor, Town Clerk, two invitations to nttcud the official opening of Arthur’s Pass section of the railway. Cation Cnur.sey said so tar as the invitation was concerned, tin* Government bad given Westport a slap in the face. There were 12 to Ruller district, lO!J to Grey. 84 to Hokitika, and !>> to Reef ton. lie asked if the invitations were is-ned at the instance of the conference. at which tiie President of the League and the Mayor attended. Lid the Minister think Westport had no interest in this matter In cause it was not to obtain immediate benefits Me thought a protest, should be made lor the dignity of this district, lie (lid not know whv Ross and ivumaia had been resurrected for the invitations. He understood the invitations were to be on a. population basis. The President stated the Miiiieronoc was most disappointing. It had miming to pllt before the Hireling. J bey were told there were to be 150 invitations on tbo Coast am! 35(1 lor ( anterbury. to lie issued on a population basis. The Traffic Manager said the maximum number that could he handled would he 350. The President reported fully on the conference. It was not at the instance of Greynioii'.li that tfi. invitations were sent. It was eflii ial. from headquarters. The Mayor endorsed the remarks ol the President. Canon Coursey thought it was Ml Keating of Greymouth, who was to blame. He thought, they should semi to their member a protest against Greyinoulh's allocation of tickets to Westport. . , , . The President :--We soould not take it lving down. Mr Wills: —There was nothing to prerent one going through on his own

Canon Coursoy moved that tins League enters its most indignant and emphatic protest against the action oi the gentleman who convened a eonlercnce"in G-revnnmUi in connection with the opening of the Olira tunnel, and had no business to place before it. he League also protests against the allocation of tickets which has hen made nt the instiltion of the C olebnit ir.n Committee of the West Coast, as Bui--1,.- district has been must disgrace! ully Ueatc-d in tile mailer. Mr Betts seconded the motion. | Mr Moloney said this was the only League on the Coast hammering /;»' the "official opening and now. at 100 eleventh hour. Creymimth steps m to take the hulk of the invitations. The Secretary read a letter to t ic Canterbury League on the su.'.jert. <.ao. ed March 23rd. and a letter, Mnrcn Jptli. asking Groyimnitli what action it proposed to take. The President asked the League to dispose of the tickets. Mr Moloney: T propose that they give them to Mr Betts and mysell. ( Laughter. I . It was proposed to give the tick, ts to the President (Mr l’.edby) and Ml Enright (past president). Mr Beil by thought two ol the o.des members of the League should got th invitations and suggested Mr L-.idW ~s om , „f them. The more noaitlioaded they were the better. Members thought Hus League had been scandalously treated, as no t were orginally sent to it, vet >t *■* asked to send delegates to the ee.dii °Mr Tavlor said no invitations were sent, until a protest was i were sent to » esttben an e\tl a six P’’ rt - f - „... The sooner we Canon Coui>t>- . • p realise that we are up against City“N!) 1 ' fS.TIW, jw*.. «.«> Mr Fnri.dit he nominated, was c.mut • It was resolved to thank the Borough Council for its courtesy m , these tickets were_ presented to tin League. —-Westport News.