WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE.

THURSDAY, JUNE lGtli.

The meeting opened at 7.35 p.in. Present: Dr Teielielmann (President), -Messrs W. J. Butler, T. TV. Dull', A. G. Piikmgloii, D. J. Evans, SV. 15. Richards. J. C. Maefarlane, TV. Craw, J. J. Mclntosh. T. TV. Bruce.

Apologies were received from Messrs TV. Jeffries and TV. D. Mackay. The Chairman stated the meeting was the annual meeting oi the League. Tlie minutes were read and confirmed. ANNUAL REPORT. The Executive Committee has pleasure in presenting its seventh Annual Report, together with Statement of Accounts for tlie year ended 31-st March. R. 127. During tlie year eleven meetings o! iho Committee were held, and matters of local and general interest brought forward for discussion were given due consideration, and where approved the necessary action was taken to give 1 hem full support. The meetings were fully reported in tlie local press to which ,4s in the past the Committee is much indebted for tlie publicity given to its aims.

Finn nee.—Shortage of funds lias hampered the activities of the Committee, and it is hoped the balance of I'll 17s 3d in hand will ho considerably augmented this coming year.

Publicity.—Leave of absence was granted in August to the President, who during his world tour took every opportunity to bring New Zealand before the notice of the publicity authorities in America, England, Australia and elsewhere, and his valuable experience will he availed of by the Committee when funds permit again of an extensive publicity campaign. Unfortunately, owing to the aforementioned shortage of funds, little has been done tin's year except the distribution of about 250 copies of the League’s booklet. " A Holiday in Westland,” by way of special advertising. hut it is pleasing to note from the unprecedented tourist traffic this year, and the crowded excursion trains , from Canterbury, that the expenditure incurred in past years is now bearing fruit, ami that "Westland as a tourist paradise is becoming widely known nnrt pa t ron ised. General.—At t lie instance of the League direct representation of the district was arranged on the deputations which waited on tlie Prime Minister on fit It April last regarding ttie conservation of the timber industry, and the completion of the Coastal road from Westport to Greymoutli. Mr Richard Wild represented the local bodies of Westland on tho deputation. Dr Teielielmann and Mr Evans rep re* soiled the League and other bodies at a special publicity conference in TT'cllingloii in May. and while away they were able to urge other matters which were having the attention of the Committee. i At the forthcoming eonfereiice of South Island Leagues the Committee will be represented by Dr Teielielmann and the Secretary. No member of the local Committee was able to make the trip hy the ' ‘Tutanckai via the Sounds, hut the League was represented hy Mr Judd of Canterbury, wlio made tlie trip, and presented a report to the League on the possibilities of South Westland, and the advantages of a comprehensive reading scheme for the purpose ol opening tip t lie country for closer settlement. Repeated application lias been made for road access to Lake Maliiiiapua, but so far without success, and the question of a continuous telephone service for the district is again under consideration. The Marlborough League’s continued agitation for the completion of the road to the Coast via Tophouse lias been supported throughout, and it is pleasing to note that good progress is now being made towards the eomple-

(ion of this route. Jinny other mutters of local and general interest have had the consideration of the League, and have hoon reported at the time in the Press. In conclusion, the Committee desires to express its thanks to the League In Christchurch for its continued interest in JVestland. and its hearty support of proposals sent forward for consideration liv it; to .Mr (loss, who represented the Committee on the Council of tlie League, to the delegates who represented the Committee on various deputations, to the County Council for. the use of its rooms for meetings, andi to the press which has as in former years given valuable assistance in re-! porting fully the operations of the League. I

Received. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report. The balance sheet was read, showing a surplus of til 17s 3d.—Received. Mr Butler seconded the adoption nl the report and balance sheet, and the motion was carried. With regard to further publicity it was resolved tlie President and Mr MeTnt-osli arrange for additional funds, and the President, Secretary and Mr Evans lie a sub-committee to carry out the advertising in Canterbury and Wellington.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President: Hr Teichclmann (re-elect-ed). Yi< e-Prcsident: Air .T. J. .Mclntosh. Committee: Messrs AYild. Butler. Pilkington. Evans, Duff. Bruce, Richards. Alncfarlnne. Jeffries, Afacknv and Craw. Hon. Secretary: Afr J. AY. Alorris. The usual gratuity was voted. Representative on Canterbury Progress League: Afr AA’. Goss. ORDINARY BUSINESS. The Secretary reported that the Postmaster had promised to look into the matter of a second mail to Waitahn. The New Zealand Tourist representative in .Melbourne wrote acknowledging supply of publicity matter in regard to AA’bstland.—Received with thanks.

The Canterbury Progress League wrote with regard to matters to come before the conference of League repre-sentatives.—-Received.

With regard to the charting of the Sounds, it was resolved to ask Captain Rollons’ opinion in regard to any further marine survey which might he considered necessary. The Secretary was asked to draft notices of motion for the South Island conference of Leagues at Christchurch on Tuesday next. It was resolved to include a remit drawing the attention of the Government to the suitability of Westland for aviation landings either at Lake Alnhinapua or Seaview Hill. Also to ask that the Canterbury-West Const road via the Beale.v, he kept open for vehicle traffic. The annual report of the Alarlborough League was received. Afr Evans referred to the proposal emanating from Christchurch for a “ Back to the Coast ” movement at Christmas and New Year. It was found that Greymonth was not- able to co-operate as it was intended to celebrate the jubilee of the Borough in February. That was of course a special celebration, and in view of the occasion and the assistance given by Greymonth to Hokitika at the time of tho Exhibition here, it might ho as well to drop any special attractions at Hokitika at the coming Christmas so as not to clash unduly with the northern town. AJy Evans asked For an expression of opinion from those present < as a guide for future action. The

general opinion expressed was in the direction of giving every assistance to (ireymonth and deferring tlio “ Hack to l! 10 Coast ’’ nioveinent lor Westland for a year. Mr Evans said lie would convey that opinion to tile Most Coast Association at ( hristclmrch and n: donlit it \iould he agreed to, and tin Association also Mould co-operate with Grey mouth in the February jubilee celebrations. The meeting concluded at 9 p.tn.