THE PROGRESS LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17293, 3 November 1921, Page 10

THE PROGRESS LEAGUE.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The executive of the Canterbury Progress League met la6t evening, ■when there were present Messrs A. G. Henderson (president). W. K. McAlpine, J. A. Flesher, "SV. M. Tyers, F. Thompson, T. Aschman, H. J. Marrinor, H. J. Knight, J. H. Blackwell, M. W. Stevenson. T. Blacklev, G. Shipley, G. H. Holford, D. Sykes, and P. 11. Climie (organiser). Votes of sympathy were accorded the relatives of the lat9 Messrs G. A. McLean, Broomfield, F. B. Lane, exMayor of Kangiora, and A. S. Clarkson, all of whom had been valued members of the League. | lii regard to Lake Coleridge, the I president said that it would be a fort- [ night before the unit, which had been out of action owing to a crack in the concrete block, would be in use again. There had also been a crack in the No. 3 turbine. There had been such a demand for power that the machines had ! never been* overhauled. It was a very unsatisfactory position that the machines which supplied the power which represented the life-blood of our industries, had not been overhauled. It was comforting to know that the level of the lake was higher, and it should continue to rise till Christmas, after which time the waters of the Harper should be sufficient to maintain the level. He had noticed that the Minister of Public Works had stated that £6OOO would be spent on Lake Coleridge, which meant he understood, that the permanent | Harper diversion works were to be proceeded with. An invitation had been extended to the League to accompany the South Canterbury people on a visit to Lake Tekapo. Ho considered that if the Tekapo hydro-electricity scheme were found*practicable, the League should give South Canterbury all the support possible. He also hoped that the members would accompany the South Waimnkariri River Board on an inspection of the river. Mr Henderson referred to the Waimakariri Harbour loan pioposal, and congratulated the North Canterbury people on sanctioning the lonn. Mr Henderson reported that the level of Lake Coleridge had risen 4£ feet since April. Last year, between April and October, the level had fallen two feet, so that ibis year there was a margin of 6* f eet - ~ , On the motion of Mr Henderson, Mr F. J. Board was invited to join the executive as "Westland representative. Correspondence was received from the Marlborough Progress League, asking for support of its requests for a deviation of the Charwell river road, and the bridging of. the Crib creek. It was agreed.to endorse the requests. , , , Mr Blackwell said that he had been with Mr Climie at several of the lectures he had given in support of the Waimakariri Harbour loan, and had greatly appreciated the clear and moderate manner in which he hnd treated the subject. The people of North Canterbury ha<d great confidence in the League's organiser. Oawthron Institute. Mr H. J. Marriner, who was a member of the deputation which visited Kelson, reported on the visit to_ the Cawthron. Institute. "Works of national importance were being carried out there. The Government had taken £40,000 from the estate in dues, and he would Ukft the League to support requests for the return of that amount. Mr Aschman asked if the Institute could not carry on without the £40,000f If it could there would not be much, likelihood of the Government returning the money. Mr Mnrriner stated that the Institute had a unique library housed in a wooden building, and it would he quite agreeable to earmarking the money to build a fire-proof library. He moved that the League organise a deputation to approach the Government for the return of the death duties. Mr McAlpine seconded the motion. It was pointed out that the League had nothing official before it in regard to the Institute, and the motion was amended to the effect that the League was prepared to assist the Board of Governors of the Institute in any request it ,nright make for the return of the death duties. Tha motion was carried. The Forestry Bill. , In regard to the Forestry Bill, the president said that with the exception of one or two reservations, there were no State forests in the Dominion, as they were potentially lands for settlement. Under the proposed Bill, after the expiration of five years, the Lands Department could step in and claim the forest lands for agricultural and pastoral purposes. There was a Forestry Department in the country doing excellent preliminary work, but there was no department looking after the re-afforesta-tion of areas which had been "cut out." If there were areas on the West Coast where the experiment of rebuilding the forests which nad been denuded could be carried out, the! experiment would be a good one. There was already a movement on the West Coast in this direction. He moved that the Government be urged to commence the work of planting native trees on the West Coast. It would be just as well not to commit the League on the subject of the Bill until th*y had heard what their West Coast friends had to say about it. Mr Aschman seconded the motion, which was carried. . It was left to the presiden|l and organiser to appoint a. committee to consider the Forestry Bill and report to the executive. Midland Railway. Mr McAlpine said that the organiser should be asked to periodically inspect thfr Midland Railway. At the present time there was a slip on the line on the other aide of Broken Biver, which the pyblio did not know about. If that lino were blocked the whole communication with the West Goast would be interrupted. Mr Climie sain that he would submit a report on the line every three months, in order to keep the matter alive and keep the public in touch with the pro- j gress being made on the work. >