CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1921, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY AND THE PROGRLSS LEAGUE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Cr. McGuinness is reported to have said that the Progress League "wanted a power board for the whole of Taranaki, and wanted to force New Plymouth into that board.” The Progress League has never suggested forcing any district into a board. It has affirmed the desirability of a board extending over the whole of Taranaki, and detailed reasons therefor. Circulars containing these reasons have been sent to local bodies anct dairy companies with a view to ascertaining what support would be accorded such a proposal. The replies coming to hand indicate that public opinion favors an extensive board, .which also has the approval of the Minister of Pul Ic Works and of Mr. Birks, chief Government electrical engineer. The league- opposes the proposals of the Eltham Committee for reasons which are sufficiently set forth in the circular referred to. Which reasons, however, could be elaborated. —I am, etc., J. W. McMILLAN, President. Stratford, May 16.

DISQUALIFICATION OF ATHLETIC MEETING.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In reading the report of the Kaimata sports imeeting in your columns, I noticed that your correspondent stated that owing to this meeting being unregistered it was likely to be placed under a cloud. It appears, according to your report, it was a great success. I am very pleased to see it was financially. But from a competitors’ point of view it was not. Every one of those who competed there, and all officials are disqualified. The club also. The committee practically put the blame on the New Zealand Cycling and Athletic Union. Hence my reason for writing this letter. It is not the duty of the Taranaki Centre to see that they are registered, thereby protecting those competitors that are registered, also their officials. 1 endeavored to get Kaimata to register on behalf of the competitors. I wired them, and also wrote them, and did any best to get them to join us. Their committee tave no excuse; they had plenty of time to register. I went so far as to provide them with a provincial license for the day, right up to the day of their meeting. Their committee were antagonistic from the first. They never intended to join us. They forgot they disqualified notable sportsmen like Mr. F. Spurdie, as well as competitors. The misunderstanding stated by your correspondent has not been overcome. They were not within their rights when they advertised that they were putting on open events. Sports committees do not as a rule put on these events at a picnic. Your correspondent stated that next year they will consider joining us. Well, sir, before they can possibly join us they have get to get tteir disqualification lifted, according to the warning they got from the centre. I think it will be very fortunate if Kaimata get this disqualification taken off for next year. Ti?ey are at the mercy of the New Zealand Cycling and Athletic Union. We have a duty to perform as regards our registered competitors. ‘ —I am, etc., H. A. NUTTALL. Eltham, May 6.