BUSINESS TRAIN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19888, 27 March 1930, Page 11

BUSINESS TRAIN.

SUB COMMITTEE SET UP. PROGRESS LEAGUE TAKES ACTION. The proposal to send a business train from Christchurch around the southern part of the South Island was discussed at a conference held yesterday between the ' Railway Business Agent (Mr F. Pawson) and the Railway and Transport Committee of the Canterbury Progress League. Mr Pawson said that he considered that the train would provide a unique opportunity for local business men to get to know those similarly engaged in other centres. He proceeded to read a tentative programme of the tour, stating that it had vet to be approved by the Railway Department's head office. ~ . The proposed itinerary was as ioxlows: — , , , First day—Leave Christchurch for the Hermitage,, via Fairlie. Second and third days—To be spent in the Mt. Cook region. Fourth day—Leave for Dunedm, via Lake Pukaki and Kurow, visiting the Waitaki hydro-electrio works on the way. , , Fifth day—At Dunedin, where business men might be interviewed and warehouses and factories visited, with probablv a motor trip in the afternoon to the Taieri Plains. Sixth day—Leave Dunedm by tram for Cromwell, and thence by motor for Queenstown. Seventh day—At Queenstown. Eighth day—Travel from Queenstown by steamer to Glenorchy, thence by car to Paradise and return to Queenstown. , Ninth day-Travel bv. steamer to Kingston, thence by train to Invercargill. . .. Tenth day—At Invercargill; visit factories or make motor tour around district. . , Eleventh day—Return to Christchurch. Cost of the Trip. Mr Pawson said that the total oost of the trip, including rail, steamer and motor fares and hotel expenses would be from £lB to £l9: The tour would be advertised by the Railway Departr meht, and he proposed that it might be conducted on the lines of farmers trains. The Department would submit a list of hotels, from which those participating in the tour could make a selection. He would- like the League to co-operate in the movement, and suggested that the train should be a League train. The representatives of other leagues might be met on the tour, with benefit to the Island. Mr C. H Clibborn said that he had found at the recent conference of South Island Progress Leagues at Nelson a general desire to develop the Island by stimulating trade with Australia and extending the tourist traffic. He favoured Mr Pawson's proposal. The chairman (Mr M. W. Stevenson) asked when it was proposed, to commence the tour, Mr Pawson answering that the intention was to conduct it in the immediate future. It was suggested thai May would be the most suitable montE, and Mr Pawson stated that the Department wanted to avoid Easter in Ehis respect owing to the big demand faat always existed for rolling stock at this time of the year, also for hotel accommodation. Pleasure Before Business. A member of the committee said that be considered that too much of the tour would be devoted to pleasure according to Mr Pawson's arrangements. He did not think one day sufficient to stay in Dunedin or Invercargill. Mr Pawson: You may cut out the "Hermitage or Queenstown if you like. Mr P. R. Climie suggested that the West Coast should be included in the tour, Mr Pawson answering that it wa<s Immaterial where.the party went, but reminded the conference that if they visited the Coast it would mean coming back over the same route. Mr G. M. Hall said that the trip must be made either a pleasure or a business one. Mr G H. Judd suggested that a committee be set up to confer with Mr Pawson in the matter. This was approved by the chairman, who made the further suggestion that the trip should be a Progress _ League affair and that something might be done in the direction of forming a Progress League in Timaru. Mr Climie stated that efforts had been made before to form such a body in Timaru, and added that the Chamber of Commerce had set up a progress committee in that town. Inclusion of Other Bodies. Mr C. H. Burson suggested that the League should get in touch with the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association and the Chamber of Commerce concerning the tour, and fnat Mt. Cook should be omitted from the Itinerary. He felt sure, that the two tomes mentioned would support the league. The chairman: Wul they? They did not support us before. Mr Burson: The Manufacturers' Association did. Mr Clibborn: Should not the Progress League be synonymous with expansion of business? Mr Pawson said he felt that to deal with a nunfoor of Bodies would result in trouble. It would, in his- opinion, be a better plan to deal with the League alone in the matter. On the motion of Mr Judd, a subcommittee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Burson and Hall was set up to confer with Mr Pawson concerning the project. In answer to a question, Mr Pawson said that there were two ways of conducting the tour'. If the party amounted to about 300, a special train would be puc at their disposal but if on the other hand a smaller number went they would have to travel by an ordinary -time-table train. He had made us estimates on 200 persons. If more than that num&er travelled the cost would be less. No objections would be made to ladies iraveuitig with the party. It was decided tßat the committee appointed confer with Mr Pawson in time to submit a report on the proposal at the next meeting of the League.