SOUTH PROGRESS LEAGUE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12296, 9 April 1937, Page 3

SOUTH PROGRESS LEAGUE

annual meeting

review of PAST YEAR’S ACTIVITIES

31K. FUKSK .ELECTED RRESIDEFT

The annua! meeting af the lauraDga eolith Progress League was held in the Baptist Hall last night. * j d Morison, President occupied I'L chair. There was a good attendUre of the public and keen interest was taken in the business. The Hon. T, r Robbins, Mr C. H. Burnett, MP and the Mayor, Mr L. K. Wilkinson, were amongst those present. The secretary, Mr L. Warde, read the minutes of the last annual meeting. , „v

The Balance sheet for me year euu- • ,i, ! vi <1 t’Lil idol) . 110 \v tDI iL CiOci.iL

lyaiHllCO *-/L -J- •-* t:> '- , ' 4 11.0 Ui.luUU moon was pmsenmu as loiiows; postal Deliveries. —imp. tsenuitiou was made to tne ro. tma.,ier-oeiierax re the mte (lonvery ot mails in me southern area, parucuiarij m respect to mids arriving on W ednesday aliornoons, which v. ere not ueuvered ml jate on Thursday evening. Tne Depart men t responded first oy having a Thin - .- day morning delivery, and later, without any funner representations, hy instituting a daily morning delivery. t JUCC‘ L ill VC‘ii i Oil CoS. Ino lD ULl’ LlloinUO to tiiU 111 ILll lift noutueii. imst omce. a..« un.C- i«*. uiny msi.m* ,Ju . .1 i.umic teimmime ijuuiii near ruuikuei isomer was axbJ a sue a ini, ana simciioliea last ju lv, hie Teague ms oeui pro. slug iur'tlie early meeauu ot tins boom, ■jeiiae.s we.e caimd lor last Aoveui-

uc r o ut mere is su.i some uclay. Ti.e rosimasiur General lias again been iiaure.sed wim u view 10 me nigeiit. necessity lor ihis ceiivonieucu anil it is liopcii tnat the booth will soon be provided.

XjUuiCo Res! Room.-—Tne League

was u.ttali i*ito me eeutiuvcisy uS to

wueumr mi,, awt uoum snoutu be

i, me waier-uoiit site, ami u was itconiiuenueu to me Horougli Council mat as an alternative sue was ouerii, g, tins League considered mat tne alternative should be tuny considered ucfore marnng the waterfront with a building.'

Dog mtisance. —ThL League pointed ouu to tne Dorougn Inspector that some shops weie in me liauit of placing edible goous in wire basnets outSiue their snops and requested that tms be prohibited as they were Haute to contamination by dogs, it is interesting to note that after this representation notices are displayed in most shops prohibiting dogs entering therein.

Power Station. —Apparent defects in the power stations were brought io the notice of the Dorough Council who advised that these stations were never in better condition and that the interests of ratepayers were being safeguarded by the Council. Footpaths.—The attention of the Council was drawn to the lack of footpaths in the southern area. Will be attended to as finance permits. Grass Plots Round Faulkner’s Corner. —The nuisance and unsightly appearance of these plots was brought to the notice of the Council bub -they did not deem any action necessary. Cameron Road.—The League urged on the Council the necessity for early attention to this road, and recommended that when the major scheme is being considered this League support a one-way road.

Roberts street Footpath.—The existing danger to pedestrians crossing this street was brought before the council and this League urged the early provision ot a footpath. This work was duly started but apparently abandoned after a while. On further representations being made the Council replied last October that the work had been suspended on account of the weather but would be proceeded with as soon as possible. This -has not yet been done. Bitumen Footpath to Hospital.— Ths provision was urged for the convenience of pedestrians visiting the hospital and the Council advised that this path would he provided but nothing has yet been done. Cycle Track Cameron Road. —This was strongly recommended by the League to prevent accidents to children and the Council-advised that the matter was under consideration. ruuiic —xii-uji* wucmex'iiig iCvciiu sites, urn jLieague accepted mu oner oy i„i' o, -lineman to blind a nun on lus section in Morris cncei mm give me Geague an option to purchase ior tuioe montiis after .completion, Mr najiiwus application was refused by tue Council, out wneu tiiey wem approached by tms League uiey intimated that this league's recommendation could not he considered without a fresh application being made by Mr Dayman. The reason for tuis is not clear as the Council decided that the site was in a residential area and nothing could be done till the Town Planning Committee completed their zoning scheme, As no reports had been published as to what the Town Planning Committee were doing, this League asked that the veil of secrecy be lifted as the public were entitled to know what was being done in regard to town planning. This expression was taken exception to by certain councillors and the letter was ordered to be received. The position now" is that the Council state they are prepared to re-consider Mr Hayman’s application after having definitely turned it clown, meanwhile liuilding costs have risen 33 per cent.

Street Lighting.—lnadequate lighting on Cameron Road was brought to the notice of the Council and it is Pleasant to note that the lighting system has been greatly improved. Levelling Frontages.—lt was recommended to the Council that instead of undertaking levelling house frontages in individual cases, a comprehensive scheme should be undertaken throughout the Borough. Referred to Works Committee. Hedges Overhanging Footpaths.— Referred to Works Committee. Provision for New Roads in Southern Area.— lt was recommended that certain annual provision be made in the estimates for new roads in areas that were being newly settled. No reply.

Street Name Boards.—The Council Was a <lvised that several streets bore n ° sign boards whatever, which caused great inconvenience to peons, especially strangers, looking for • place. Referred to Town Plan- , 11 g Committee and League would ea i as t° its decision a.t an riy date. No further communication.

South.— The question of deleting mis word from the title of the agae has been discussed on several i ons ’ ai 'h has been left over for c, sion at this annual meeting. Hlllsdone.— The Council was askthoo COns *^ er seciu 'ing a loan from uiL. . ernment ‘‘or the purpose of and lasing Hillsdene as a playground that u lic park - Whilst admitting tho r. ' voul(i make an ideal park, tJ;® Coun cil decided to take no acanrf'ot Petition was then drawn up BarL S f' e( J residents from all to ii,„°TT 8 borough, and presented or T Hoti, Mr Langstono, Minister er nmem S n Wi . th a vie ' v t 0 the Cov ‘ of t ! Purchasing it for the benefit lo Ss of P^. op ' e anc l thus avoiding the The vr* great asset to the people, lion fro Pfr ' vas Inet !, y a delegate 1 lis league and taken over C. u n Der^v * n tbo company of Mr is now .P ri .' WP.. and the matter aitoi), ln^er the Minister’s consider-

School Lunch Hour.—ln May last tin* League lecommended to me atnoox Committee that tne sma.ier children at least he given tneir luncn hour Horn aoout ten minutes to 12, to enauie them to get away before the heavy motor trairtc came in irom me town, as inis ti attic was considered a danger to tne crowds of children leaving school at that hour. We aie pleased to see that the Committee have recently given effect to this recommendation.

biae School—The distance that some young cniluien have to cover irom me soutneru end of tne Borougn to got to school has been discussed oy your js.tecucive and as ivir w. n. Eainett, ai.il, was Keenly iniciested in the matter and promised us ms support, me minister of Education was nsKed to consider the leasioiliiy of establishing a Side ocnooi lurtiier bourn lor me conven-

,ence ot mese cuudien. Tne recommendation was supported personally oy .vir nurneu ana me Aluus'er nas

aaviottu Liiat tne Wliuie quc.-iuuil 0£ Hcnouis in Tuuranga Is under conslaoiatidii anu UiL* i|uosuoii win bo con.Ticioiou. i uti lifUiieaLiuii d uas since noon asKed iliac wiule consiue*io Luo mam quostiuii Uio procuedbuuy ul esuiuiismiig a second main school iu mo huiun no also consul-

Tallies' Division.—A Ladies’ Division suosidiaiy io tills League lias recently seen lonueu aim a icporc wnl no dell lit uu piesenleu to tins meeting oy m« iTesiueiu Mis xiurawxck.

idr C. xx. Tiiuieu, ivi.p.—x cannot concuiuu Hus lopoxt ivunout making special men non ox the gieac assistance rendered to mis Teague by Mr ijiiriieu, i»i.l*. Every occasion we nave nad to iefer.to aim, lie has given us his energetic and personal support direct to the minister at Wellington and the League is exceedingly grateful tor lus Keen interest and influence on benait of the people of Ta uranga.

The Chairman moved the adoption of tlie report and balance sheet. Mr Hardwick seconded the motion, which was curried.

Arising out of the clause "in the report dealing with the proposal to delete the word “South” in the title of the League, the Chairman moved —That the name of the League be Tauranga Progress League. He said he thought “South” was unwise and tended to parochialism. Mr Sinclair said the same applied to ridings in counties. Mr Lovell said he did not agree with the motion. The League was started originally with exceptional promise and it would lose its identity should the name be altered. Mr G. Pox was opposed to the change. The League started with thirteen members and had grown amazingly. Mr L. Wardo said it was necessary to give the matter ueep consideration, the League naU put many requests before the Council and had got very little. He thought tue impression abroad was for tne improvement of the south end of the borougu alone. 'That was not so and as an indication he thought that by deleting South it dispelled this impression.

Mr C. Moffat,! thought the League should be widened and it could be done by adopting the motion. He thought the League as it stood tended to division and was antagonising the other section of the Borough. It would develop into a league of critics only if the alteration were not made.

Mr Furze said the Progress League was a good institution. He was not afraid of the criticism. Mr Hardwick said although the League got nothing, the Chamber of Commerce did not also get the support of the Council in many things. The motion was put and declared carried. The Chairman said this was a great opportunity to show that the League was not parochial.

Constitution

The constitution of the League as foiiuv/s was adopted:

Title. —This League will be called the Tauranga Progress League. Membership.— Membersnip shall be open to ail residents in Tauranga Borough and district. Object!.—To form a responsible body of citizens who will make a special study of the needs of Tauranga and the surrounding district, and who will iuo every effort to see that those needs receive the properattention of the authorities concerned. i

Subscription.— Membership subscription shall be 2/6 per annum. Officers. —The officers shall comprise: President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, Executive of 7 other members.

Vacancies. —ah officials shall he appointed at the annual meeting, but snouid any vacancy occur during the year, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to fill such vacancy.

Absentees. —To ensure efficiency, all officials shall be expected to attend all meetings if at all possible. Should any official absent himself for three consecutive meetings without notice of absence being tendered, his position shall automatically be deemed vacant and the Executive shall immediately fill such vacancy.

Meetings.—The Executive Committee shall meet every month, and there shall be a general meeting of all the members of the League once a quarter. The Chairman expressed his thanks to the Secretary, Mr L. Warde, for his work and on his motion a sum of £2 was voted him as a recognition of liis services. Election of Officers

Mr Monson aeclined nomination as pi eoiueui. fro saiu a i erei once mui ijeon m.Kie in tue report to ‘‘Hiiisuene/' ana he wisncd it to be clear iy uaderstoou that any representations had been made in his absence, rie had not permitted discussion in the executive on the subject since it came to his knowledge. The following officers were elected: President —Mr Fiuse. Vice-Presidents — Messrs J. D. Morison and A. L. Faulkner. Committee — Mrs Hardwick, Mrs Polley, Messrs Summers, K. Johanson and Hardwick. Secretary-Treasurer-Mr L. Warde.

Auditor —Mr W. F. Sinclair. Mr Furse returned thanks for his election to’ the important post of Chairman. He would do his best. Mrs Hardwick gave a resume of the work done by the Ladies’ Division. General The Mayor, Mr L. R. Wilkinson, said that from the report it appeared disappointing, but it must be remembered that many requests- that came before the Council must be referred to the Town Planning Committee. The requests come into the question of zoning and the complete plan prepared by Mr Goulding had in turn to be submitted to the Town Planning Board in Wellington. Hence the delay. He felt sure that more questions had received favourable consideration of the, Borough Council than was credited. The Council should be given time to deal with the requests. He thought the time was too early to say that the requests had been turned down.

Mr Furse took the chair and said he welcomed suggestions from the members.

Mr Burnett offered his congratulations to the new President on the occasion of his election. He said the League had thoroughly justified its existence and it had had wonderfully good publicity. The considered opinion of the League would be very welcome to the Borough Council, as it indicated in what direction improvement could be made. There was no occasion for sectional divisions or dissention in the borough. All should pull together. It was important to have the streets of the Borough named, especially as strangers to the town would then have no difficulty in getting about. It was

important also to see mat the education facilities were adequate. It would not be long before an extension of the District High School is taken in hand. Extra areas should be acquired for the Borough. There was no possibility ,01' the Government acquiring the i-iillsdene property, but •it was sympathetic and would assist local bodies in any move towards the acquisition ol further domains. He had a perfectly open mind in the matter of acquiring property. He required the backing of the people to help in his effort. The High School should be central. In regard to the harbour bridge he was optimistic enough to say we would get fife bridge and that it would be built about Elizabeth Street. He considered that the new high school should be in a central position, taking a long view in the ultimate development of the borough. He thought the high school reserve at the north end of the town should be sold and the proceeds devoted to acquiring Hillsdene and other property. A suitable site for the High School should be on the golf course at Hillsdene and the balance of the property used as a public domain. It was important that children’s playgrounds should be shaded areas. The old showground could also be acquired and this would give a total area of 20 acres. He was meeting the School Committee to discuss the question. The sale of the school reserve at the north end of the Borough would provide funds for extending the area for school purposes. He did not agree that there was sufficient land in domains in the borough. Open spaces were a vital question. He also visualised a fine golf course at Matapihi when the Harbour bridge was completed. In Hillsdene the people had a wonderful opportunity to acquire a fine property. Mrs Hardwick said she thought it important that a side school should be provided for the smaller children who had to walk long distances to school.

Mr Burnejtt suggested that the area between McLean and Harington Streets and Cameron Hoad (adjoining the school master s house) should be set aside as a children’s playground. It would be better than the present domain as it would be quite open to tne public. Mr Lovell asked.if it was the policy of the Government to, sell property at profit and buy less valuable property. Mr Warde said the proposal of Mr Burnett was to sell the property and acquire larger areas. He moved — That this meeting support Mr Burnett in his suggestion. The motion was carried. Mr Warde moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor, which was carried.

The Mayor suitably replied. Mr Warde thanked the Bay of Plenty Times for the splendid support and publicity given the League in the past. The Bay of Plenty Times representative, in replying, said it was pleasant to have nice things said about the press, and the tribute was much appreciated. The Hon. B. C. Robbins said he was pleased to hear the opinions of Mr Burnett on the important matters discussed. He congratulated the League. It had done great service. He looked forward to greater prosperity for Tauranga. It was well that the town had such a strong representative in the member for the district, Mr C. H. Burnett. After the business of the meeting of the Progress League had concluded last night, the ladies dispensed a light supper. By the special request of Mr Burnett. M.P., and Mr D. Clark also rendered his "Coronation Song" which was greatly appreciated by all present.