CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1924, Page 4

CANTERBURY PROGRESS LEAGUE.

WESTLAND COMMITTEE. TUESDAY, MARCH 18th. The monthly meeting of the Executive wax held at the County Chambers at 7.40 p.m. Present: Messrs D. J. Evans (Vice-President) in tho chair, W. Jeffries, W. D. Mnckny, T. W. Duff, .J C. Macfarlane, J. J. Mclntosh, R, F. Perham, A. G. Pilkington and J. W. Morris (lion, sec.) Apologies were made for the absence of Dr Teiehelmaim (President) and W. J. Butler.

The minutes of the precious meeting were confirmed. The outward correspondence was approved. INWARD COR RESPONDENTS.

From Tourist Department granting £5 towards purchase of maps of Franz Josef Glacier region.—Received. From J. W. Collins, Wellington, asking for further copies of pamphlet on South Westland development.—-Receiv-ed and attended to. From Arahura Farmers Union in regard to lifting of railway trucks. - Received. Tho Secretary reported the matter bad been attended to. From Canterbury Progress Longue asking for additional copies of Mr Collins’ leaflet on South Westland.— Received, supply forwarded. From same in respect lo Air Board’s resignation and the appointment of Mr Malian as a successor.—Received. From Farmers’ Union. Rlackwater. referring to the question of tlie winter school to the meeting of the Farmers’ Union delegates, shortly to he held.—Received.

From Arahura Union on the same subject agreeing to the school being held.—Received. From Ross School, enquiry in regard to the Arthur's Pass tunnel excursion for schools.—Received. It was explained tho tunnel was still under the control of the Public Works’ Department. and in any case the days "eie getting too short for the excursion on the lines proposed originally. From Wellington Chamber of Commerce notifying action taken to improve shipping to the Coast, and pointing out. alleged unfairness to the Dominion as a whole if Canterbury wore given a preferential railway freight.— It ore ived. It was resolved to write

appreciating the action of the Chamber in arranging for improved freight connection between Wellington and the Coast. Speaking to the motion Ml* •leftiio* said it was pleasing to note Wellington people were alive to the position. The matter was one of considerable magnitude. Prior to the opening of the railway charges were far to high, |fo instanced wool. Hot ore August ol last year the charges on a halo of wool to Wellington were 23s 2d ; now the charge by railway to Christchurch was Os Kid. The Wellington charge was reduced only when the competition was brought nlxnit. He thought they must realise that the trade should go to Christchurch. Lyttelton was the natural overseas port of the Coast if tho trade were catered for properly. Mr I’erhain in supporting the previous speaker, said the prosperity o! the two Coasts was now linked up by the railway. They should do everything they could in regard to business relations to forge the strongest link possible. The matter was jf vital importauee lor tbe development n[ tbe district They had quick transit by rail, whereas slapping was uiucrtnin. Tho Union Company had treated the Coast trade as it liked to suit themselves, and not with any regard to encourage Coast development. A. Leigh Hunt, Dominion Farmers’ Institute, Wellington, wrote in respect to a combined permanent display at the Institute by GreyiuouUi and Hokitika to advertise the district.—-Receiv-ed with thanks, and it was resolved to ask tlm Tourist and Agricultural Departments to display photographs of Westland scenes and scenery in the corridors of the Institute tor advcilising purposes. GENERAL. The Duller Progress League wrote in reference to the late visit oi the V cdlingtou- party of business people, and it resolved to write explaining the position, that the local request was confined to laying out a district itinermy to cover the ground to the best advantage. An account for £3 15s was passed for payment, and it was resolved to forward CIO lOs to the Progress League in respect to the printing of the Franz Josef Glacier maps. There was a general iliscus.-.ioo oil the subject, of the Winter school. It was resolved to write the farmers’ organisations again, and urge action in the matter. Several gentlemei spoke of the value and importance ol the schools, and it was hoped the pro jeet would not be dropped. Tbe meeting concluded at i 5.25 p.m.