Westland Branch of Canterbury Progress League.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1923, Page 1

Westland Branch of Canterbury Progress League.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 18th. The Committee met at 7.15 o’clock. Present: Dr Teichelmann (President), Messrs F. J. Board, AY. J. Butler, \V. D. Mackny, D. J. Evans, T. W. Bruce, W. Jeffries, A. G. Pilkington. Afinutes of the previous meeting were rend and confirmed. The outward correspondence was rend and approved. I NAVA It D CO R RESPONDED CE.

From Tourist Office, 'Wellington, stating the Department was doing its best to promote tourist traffic to the Coast, and stating a bureau was to be opened at Greymouth.—Received. The President stated it was satisfactory the Department was opening a bureau. AH Jeffries thought the Department should devote some attention to South Westland. Air Evans supported and said a tourist officer should visit the glaciers in the south, and note the neglected state of that tourist region, compared with the more favored resorts so lavishly supported elsewhere by Government funds. Air Bruce endorsed the representations nmdo by the Secretary. The Chairman said the Department was doing something for the district and should he encouraged to do more. It was resolved to urge reasonable attention to the district.

From A. Tocker Christchurch, forwarding £6 9s from Canterbury College. which liquidated liability on the Winter .School at Hokitika.—Received with thanks.

From Canterbury Progress League, stating steps were taken to represent the hardships of changing trains at Greymouth in connection with the Alidlaiul service.—Received. Air Evans moved that the Traffic Manager he asked to send Hie through carriages to Hokitika on Saturday nights to avoid the inconvenience of changing trains The carriages would return to Greymouth by the late service the same night. Mr Bruce seconded, and Air Board suported. It appeared to the latter as a recent traveller that the public were being inconvenienced by unnecessary changing of trains at Greymouth. Air Jeffries doubted il it were advisable fo make further representations to the Department, pending the local station being put in order, ino President and Alessrs Pilkington and Butler suported the reasonable request of the motion, which was agreed to.

From Westland Chamber of Commerce. notifying (.onleronte at I own Hall on 20th. in*!.-Received : President and Secretary and as many members as possible to attend the Conic re nee. T CNN EL CE LEBRA TION S. .Ministerial replies were received, stating willingness to attend Hokitika for tile tunnel celebrations, which bad been suggested, but a date was indefinite. Sir F. D. Hell stated the Minister of Public Works and himself could attend not earlier than the second week in November. From Traffic Manager. Greymouth regarding school excursion, stating the date was uncertain, and would advise later.—Received. Air Jeffries moved the correspondence be referred to the local bodies conference on the 26th. ilist., the President uconded. —Car ri ed. LEAGUE ACTIVITIES. On behalf of the sub-Committee, llie Secretary reported the following list or district activities had been drawn up for future operations by the Branch in conjunction with the parent League: (1 nicentration oil development of tourist traffic. Widening of road to bribe Kanierl and the featuring of the attractions of Hie lake with a road round the lake, and return via Styx. Tariff rates over the Alidland Railway. Promotion of Industrial, Pastoral and Agricultural interests and Alining research work. Drainage of swamp lands. Advancement of the town of Hokitika including the improvements of ocean trout, park lands, and municipal reserves. Advertising the district by collection and publication of reliable data, and information regarding productivity and genera) resources. Railway services, improvement and extension, including use of motor feeders from branch districts. Re-alforcstation in Westland. Hydro-electric development. Improvement of mail services to Smith Westland. South Westland railway extension. Need for closer settlement. The list was adopted, being supported hv Alessrs Jeffries, Bruce. Pilkington. Board, Evans, and the Chairman. The need for closer settlement was stressed, especially by several of the speakers, and Air Board suggested that when shortly the Agricultural Editor of the Christchurch Pro's again visited the district, he be asked to look Into the matter, and review the subject in tlie newspaper columns with a tie" to further publicity. Air Bruce hoped some indication would be given to the public of the present holdings, and tenures, and the area still remaining as Crown Lands.

Mr Evans moved that tlio list of activities be brought before 'the Local Bodies' Conference nest Wednesday (26th. inst), with a view to referring the subjects to special committees for investigation and report, so ns to ensure useful publicity, and thereby secure reasonable advance with the proposals taken up. Mr Mac It ay seconded the motion which was carried.

The meeting concluded at 8.-Id o'docit