WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1930, Page 7

WESTLAND PROGRESS LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEETING. THURSDAY, JULY 24. A meeting of the League was held at the County Chambers at 7.40 p.m. .Present Ur. Teiehelmann (President) Messrs W. Jeffries, W. Wilson, W. E. '.Richards, J. J. Mcintosh, U. j. Evans, and H. G.. K. Coles. An apology whs made for the absence off Mr L. S. Dew. ■ The minutes of the previous meeting were read and connrmed, and the outward correspondence approved.. From Canterbury Progress League, forwarding copy of report of activities for past year, and copy of minutes of annual meeting.—Received. From Canterbury Winter Show, notifying visit of the organiser, Mr E. H.

Manitier this week to arrange for Westland school excursions, August 21 to 23.—Received. From D. Batgate, suggesting improve ments to tracks etc. at Franz Josef.— Received. The President reported lie had discussed the matter with the head of the Tourist Department ,and as far as funds would permit matters were being attended to, From N. Z. Railways, replying re* garding concession in freights from Dunedin, The General Manager ex> plained that Hokitika . consignments coming direct on Wednesdays received the concession as far as Greymouth, which was the distributing centre, Fop the remainder of the transport the

ordinary tariff was charged, On das' s A. goods Hokitika consignment received a concession of 3Ss Gd per ton, and on class B, 3s Id per ton. Regarding train services the General Manager aded the matter was being looked into further.—Received. Messrs Jeffries and Mclntosh did not consider the reply regarding freights satisfactory seeing that from Greymoutff onwards there was a penal rate. It was resolved to defer further consideration pending a reply from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, and that in: itjlp ' meantime, Messrs Jeffries find Coles agreed to discuss the matter further with Mr Dew. From W. F. Harley, Greymouth, suggesting further suport to the.agitation for bridging the Waimakariri Tier on the Arthurs Pass route,—Received and support to be continued as opportunity offered. . From District Highways Counejl of Westland, agreeing to give attention to the height of road centres at curves where same wer econsidered dangerous. —Received with thanks. From Southland League, forwarding copy of annual report.—Received with thanks.

| EXECUTIVE REPORT. ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR END ING THE. 31st. The Executive Committee has pleasure in presenting to you the 10th Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended the. 31st March, 1930. During the year eleven meetings ol the Committee were held, and any matters of local and general interest brought forward 'for discussion were given due consideration, and where approved, necessary action was taken to give them full support. The meetings were fully reported in the local Press, to which, as in the past the Committee is indebeted for the publicity given to its meetings. It will be noticed from the Balance sheet that the total receipts amounted to £124 8s 4d, and of this amount £ll4 15s 4d was expended in publicity for Westland. * During the year several matters affecting the Westland District were brought under the notice of Minister ol the Crown visiting Hokitika, the principal matter being the extension of the Railway south of Ross; but so far none of the matters represented have been granted. Through the efforts of this Branch, the Railway Department are providing better facilities for loading stock at the Ross Railway Station. PUBLICITY.

This League contributed towards the cost of producing 20,000 copies of a booklet entitled “The Charm of Frants Joseif,” the production and distribution being undertaken by the Railway Department. The League installed a Westland Bay at the last Canterbury Winter Show for publicity purposes at a cost of£76 and there is evidence that the outlay was fully justified.. TOURIST TRAFFIC. .

There appears to be an increasing number of tourists visiting Franz Josei and Fox Glaciers, whilst Mr Eric James, Guide, Makarora, reports that the number of tourists in the Haast Valley area has been maintained. ACCOMMODATION. A new hut is being erected on the Chancellor Ridge in the Fox Glacier Valley, at an elevation of approximately 5,000 ift., which will give access to all the main peaks at the head of that Glacier. ROADS AND BRIDGES. The road between Hokitika and the Fox Glacier, (Welieka), is now practically an all-the-year-round road. Only very small creeks now remain to be bridged, and t}ds year six small bridges or culverts Will be completed. The Government have erected a Shelter Shed at Tuliua Creek, Lake Kanieri, and the last section of the road to Dorothy Falls is under construction, and when completed, it will be possible for motor cars to proceed right :o the falls.

The meetings of this Branch have been well attended during the year, and members have taken a keen interest in furthering matters affecting the welfare of the District.—Received. The annual alance sheet was read revealing a small credit balance. The President in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, statecJ the League had been as active as funds would permit and a considerable amount of useful publicity work bad been done, as well ns securing the ourable support of the Government Deportments in the same direction in activities helpful to Westland, Mr Jeffries seconded, and said the publicity work at the last Winter Show in Christchurch, had proved to be among t.'ic I most valuable efforts of the League fur benefit of the district. The nmtion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. President:—Dr. E. Teichlemnnn. Vice-PresidentMr J. J. Mclntosh, Representative in Canterbury League Mr W. Goss, Executive:—Messrs W. J. B'utier, W. Wilson, W. Jeffries, T. W. Bruce* T. W. Duff, N. L. Dew, W. E. Richards, D. J. Evans and W, Searle, Secretary and Treasurer:— Mr H, F. Coles. A vote of thanks was passed to the officers, press and executive. The meeting concluded at 8.80 p.m.